Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning Opens Second Early Childhood Education Center

On Wednesday, Sept. 18, Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning (CHS), a subsidiary of Milton Hershey School, opened its second Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC).

With the opening of CHS Harrisburg, the legacy of Milton and Catherine Hershey extends beyond the MHS campus in Derry Township for the first time. Now, even more children in need of high-quality early childhood education will benefit from the Hersheys’ vision.

CHS Harrisburg is part of a $350 million initiative to develop six ECECs in Pennsylvania that will serve children ages six weeks to 5 from under-resourced and over-burdened backgrounds, with all costs covered for qualifying families.

“Our goal at CHS is to cultivate a culture of care, safety, and excellence in Early Childhood Education like no other, all thanks to the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Hershey, who created a legacy and a standard for education that is now our responsibility to uphold,” said MHS and CHS President Pete Gurt ’85.

The center in the City of Harrisburg will serve 150 local children and their families. CHS Family Success Centers provide families with access to resources to support the children in the classroom and at home.

CHS also provides on-site services for enrolled children including physical and mental health services, meals, transportation for some, and personal items, with all costs covered.

“Our leaders had a vision that exceeded traditional early childhood education through our whole-child and family success approaches, providing the quality care, educational experiences, and support needed for lifelong success for both our children and their families,” said CHS Executive Director Senate Alexander ’06.

The first CHS location in Hershey opened in the fall of 2023. Recently, two children who “moved on” from CHS Hershey enrolled at MHS to continue their educational journeys. Both CHS and MHS work hard to empower families and provide incredible opportunities to the children they serve.

Over the next several years, CHS will open four additional centers, including CHS Middletown, and three locations in Lancaster County.