Milton Hershey School, a cost-free private residential school for children from pre-K through 12th grade, is seeking caring, mission-driven Houseparents to live in and manage student homes on campus. As a Houseparent, you and your spouse/partner (if applying as a couple) provide a stable, family-like home environment for a small group of students, typically of similar age and gender. You will model positive behavior, reinforce the school’s values, and help students develop socially, emotionally, academically, and spiritually. Your daily responsibilities include overseeing morning and evening routines, preparing and serving nutritious meals, supervising homework time, supporting good study habits, and transporting students to school activities, appointments, and events as needed. You will coordinate and participate in extracurricular, recreational, and community service activities, helping students build life skills, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility. Houseparents also manage the student home’s cleanliness, organization, and safety, including household budgeting, basic record keeping, and communication with school staff, teachers, counselors, and administrators. In this role, you serve as a critical link between the student home and the broader school community.
Working within the Community & Social Services department in the Education / Teaching / Administration industry, Houseparents collaborate closely with clinical, educational, and residential teams to support individualized student plans. You will observe and report student progress, address behavioral issues using positive behavior supports, and implement school-wide policies and procedures consistently and fairly. You help students navigate personal challenges, celebrate successes, and set goals for their future. MHS fosters a nurturing environment that emphasizes diversity, personal growth, and support for students and staff, so Houseparents must demonstrate cultural competence, strong communication skills, patience, and empathy. The position is demanding yet highly rewarding, ideal for those who want to make a long-term, positive impact on children’s lives.
Candidates should have experience working with children or youth in settings such as education, social services, counseling, youth ministry, coaching, or residential care. Strong organizational skills, basic computer literacy, and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a dynamic home environment are important. A high level of integrity, emotional stability, and commitment to Milton Hershey School’s mission is essential. Houseparents typically live on campus in school-provided housing, follow a structured work schedule that may include evenings and weekends, and participate in ongoing training and professional development. In return, Milton Hershey School offers a supportive community, opportunities for growth in education, administration, and student home life, and the chance to profoundly influence students’ lives by providing a safe, supportive, and enriching home away from home.