High School Transitional Living | High School Senior Transition

The Senior Transition

Milton Hershey School’s Transitional Living (TL) program prepares senior students for life after graduation. For our students’ final year at MHS, they move out of their student homes. They spend their 12th-grade year living independently in apartment-style residences on campus.

Preparing for Life

Graduates need to be able to navigate daily responsibilities and solve unexpected problems. The TL program at MHS is designed to create experiential learning opportunities for seniors—with adult oversight—before they graduate. The program encompasses a range of functional areas:

Financial literacy
Healthy lifestyle habits
Community living
Social and emotional skill-building

Seniors living in TL are able to build their sense of responsibility, independence, and community. They are challenged to make practical decisions. Every student is required to participate.

Transitional Living Apartments

MHS supports 52 apartments across 10 TL buildings (five for males and five for females). The physical layout of each building includes:

Student apartments (4-6 students per apartment)
Supervisory staff apartments
A main office
A recreation room
A laundry room

Each apartment includes a kitchen, common area, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms.

Explore a Transitional Living Student Apartment

Drag to see a 360-degree view of a Milton Hershey School Transitional Living student apartment. Then, click to engage with interactive content.

Senior Apartment Tour

Living-Learning Communities

The TL program incorporates the concept of living-learning communities (LLCs). We make student TL assignments based on student interests and goals. LLCs are based on the 2020 Vision strategic plan and include the following focus areas:

Career Preparation
Global Citizenship
Health and Wellness
Residential Assistant and Leadership
STEAM & Sustainability

Read the Strategic Plan

Student Supervision

Transitional Living facilities are supervised by at least two residential education professionals who live in each building. They are responsible for teaching MHS seniors essential life skills. They also serve as role models and mentors, helping students prepare for life as an adult.

Staff schedules rotate. At least one adult is on duty when students are in the building. There are times when both adults are on duty. There is also flex TL staff delegated to each building as needed.

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Explore a Transitional Living Assistant Apartment

Drag to see a 360-degree view of a Milton Hershey School Transitional Living Assistant apartment. Then, click to engage with interactive content.

TLA Apartment Tour

Programming

Transitional Living exists to teach students the life skills necessary to survive and thrive as self-sufficient adults. We promote healthy lifestyles and work to build a strong sense of community. This support aids students as they bridge the final gap between childhood and adulthood.

In ninth through 11th grade, MHS students learn basic life skills from their houseparents. When they become seniors, TL staff members help them build a deeper foundation. TL staff incorporate weekly curriculum material into the student schedules.

Read more about the specific skills TL programming grooms within students living in this unique and independent environment.

Essential Life Skills

The TL program guides students in developing essential life skills, including:

Time management
Meal planning
Buying and cooking meals
Budgeting
Maintaining a living space
Interpersonal skills

Learn Other Ways MHS Provides for Students' Daily Needs

TL Curriculum

Students assist in guiding TL curriculum, and lessons revolve around:

Healthy relationships
Stress management
Study skills
Social and emotional learning
Health
Wellness

See More Ways MHS Supports Student Health

The Compass Project

The Compass Project, our character and leadership development program, is a school-wide initiative. Each month, Transitional Living staff highlight one social and emotional learning (SEL) theme. They guide seniors through a focused curriculum, including topics such as:

Rising above obstacles
Maintaining perseverance
Growing empathy
Developing new perspectives
Making healthy decisions
Learning how to prioritize

Read about Character Education at MHS

Transitional Living FAQs

Specific questions about how TL works? Reference our Q&A guide for details.

Who participates in this program?

Every MHS senior spends their final year in the Transitional Living program. Students are responsible for the cleanliness and orderliness of their suites.

All suites are routinely checked by TL adult supervisors for safety and cleanliness. Each apartment is given a monthly budget. Students use this money for both food and personal care items.

Students purchase food with a debit card for all of their meals at local grocery stores. They also can purchase personal care items on these shopping trips.

Do the students choose their roommates?

We attempt to match students in apartments by their personal interests and habits. Typically, up to six students share a two-bedroom suite.

Can the students have a personal cell phone?

Yes. Students may have a personal cell phone, however, it is not mandatory. The student is solely responsible for any and all cell phone costs/charges. They may lose this privilege at the discretion of the staff.

What transportation is available for Transitional Living students?

Students walk to and from classes and activities at the Spartan Commons area. Regular bus transportation is provided for students participating in sports and activities.

A TL staff member provides transportation for area shopping trips. Students meeting the criteria may be able to use a dedicated TL-program car.

How are discipline infractions handled and by whom? Are the consequences the same?

Discipline is handled by the Transitional Living coordinator and the Transitional Living assistant. All students in the TL program are subject to the same discipline guidelines as all other students. Consequences are the same or similar. Students will not be transferred back to a student home.

Milton Hershey School students walking on campus.

A Day in the Life

Seniors have busy, fulfilling days at MHS. Through top-notch academics, personal attention, hands-on learning, and skills for life, our students are prepared for what’s next. Learn more about a student’s day at MHS.

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