Skip to main content

Very Good

#269 of 872 private schools in PA

Top 31% of private schools

Milton Hershey School

School

1201 HOMESTEAD LN, Hershey, PA 17033

Private Estimated Score

Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on PA statewide data. Learn more

Enrollment

2,002

Student-Teacher

9.1:1

Score

7.1

Grades

Pre-K – 12th

Updated 2021-22

How this school compares

In Hershey

#1 of 2

public schools

Pennsylvania schools

#109 of 305

About Milton Hershey School

Milton Hershey School serves 2,002 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Hershey, Pennsylvania. This regular public school maintains a notably low student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1 with 221 full-time equivalent teachers, providing students with more individualized attention than many larger schools. The school ranks #178 out of 872 schools statewide, placing it in the 80th percentile among Pennsylvania schools, though it receives a MySchoolScout rating of 4.3 out of 10, indicating there's room for academic growth.

The substantial teaching staff relative to enrollment suggests a commitment to smaller class sizes and personalized learning environments. Milton Hershey School operates within the well-known Hershey community in Dauphin County, an area that balances suburban amenities with educational focus. The surrounding neighborhood reflects a stable, middle-to-upper-middle-class community, with a median household income of $73,611 and home values averaging $319,500.

Nearly half of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the poverty rate remains relatively low at 11.1%. The school sits in a large suburban setting that offers families the advantages of both community feel and access to broader educational and cultural resources, making it an integral part of the historic Hershey area known for its family-friendly atmosphere.

What Parents Should Know

Milton Hershey School is a large school with 2,002 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

With a student-teacher ratio of 9.1:1, Milton Hershey School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.

As a private school, Milton Hershey School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.

Financial Overview

Source: IRS Form 990 (2023 filing)

Per-Pupil Spending
Total expenses ÷ enrollment
$184,333
Per-Pupil Revenue
Total revenue ÷ enrollment
$443,632
Financial Health
Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
2.41x — Strong
Tuition Dependency
Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
0%
Total Assets
End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
$24.2B

Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 2,002 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.

Compare to Public Schools

Beta

How Milton Hershey School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Hershey, PA

Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
This School
vs
12.9:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
2,002
This School
vs
585
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
7.1
This School
vs
8.2
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 35.2% vs 0%
Black 33.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 17.7% vs 0%
Asian 1.6% vs 0%
Milton Hershey School Hershey Public Avg

Nearby Other Schools

School Rating
Milton Hershey School (this school) 7.1
Hershey HS 7.2
Hershey MS 8.6
Hershey Early Childhood Ctr 7.6
Hershey Primary El Sch 8.7
Hershey Intrmd El Sch 8.6
South Hanover El Sch 8.5

Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.

Score Breakdown

What This Rating Measures

This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in PA.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
B+ 7.3 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 9.1:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
A 9.0 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.9 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,276.5
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
A+ 9.9 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 72%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
D 1.0 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 2,002
View data sources

Score basis: Private school model

Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data

Components scored: 4 of 5

Ranking pool: Private schools in PA

Test Scores

Test score data not yet available for this school.

Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

White 35.2%
Black 33.7%
Hispanic 17.7%
Two or More 11.5%
Asian 1.6%
Native American 0.2%
Pacific Islander 0.1%

Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)

Location

1201 HOMESTEAD LN, Hershey, PA 17033

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Milton Hershey School may also want to explore other schools in the area. Hershey Primary El Sch (rated 8.7/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Hershey MS (rated 8.6/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Hershey Intrmd El Sch (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Hershey, see our Hershey schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.0 mi
School Distance Rating
Hershey HS Hershey 0.5 mi 7.2
Hershey MS Hershey 0.6 mi 8.6
Hershey Early Childhood Ctr Hershey 0.8 mi 7.6
Hershey Primary El Sch Hershey 0.8 mi 8.7
Hershey Intrmd El Sch Hershey 0.8 mi 8.6
TENDER YEARS Hershey 1.2 mi
HERSHEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Hummelstown 1.5 mi 7.6
FIRST DISCOVERIES AT BRIGHT HORIZONS Hershey 2.1 mi
Lingle Avenue El Sch Palmyra 2.2 mi 8.1
ST JOAN OF ARC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hummels Town 2.5 mi 5.9
Palmyra Area MS Palmyra 2.8 mi 7.3
Pine Street El Sch Palmyra 2.8 mi 8.1
Conewago El Sch Elizabethtown 3.5 mi 7.9
Palmyra Area SHS Palmyra 3.0 mi 5.5
Northside El Sch Palmyra 3.4 mi 8.5
South Hanover El Sch Hershey 3.0 mi 8.5
Forge Road El Sch Palmyra 3.5 mi 4.3
BELLAIRE RIDGE SCHOOL Hershey 4.1 mi 3.3
Lower Dauphin MS Hummelstown 3.5 mi 6.4
Price Hummelstown 4.0 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 17033 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$75,093

Median Home Value

$340,900

Median Rent

$1,311/mo

Population

17,009

College Educated

46.3%

Homeownership

53.5%

Avg Commute

18.5 min

Poverty Rate

11.3%

Median Age

41.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Milton Hershey School has a median household income of $75,093. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $340,900, with a median rent of $1,311/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.3%. Residents enjoy a short average commute of 19 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Lehigh Valley Academy Regional CS Bethlehem, PA 6.6
School Lane CS Bensalem, PA 6.3
MaST Community CS III Philadelphia, PA 6.2
Mastery CS -Thomas Campus Philadelphia, PA 6.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Milton Hershey School

What grades does Milton Hershey School serve?

Milton Hershey School serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.

How many students attend Milton Hershey School?

Milton Hershey School has an enrollment of approximately 2,002 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Milton Hershey School?

The student-teacher ratio at Milton Hershey School is 9.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.

How does Milton Hershey School rank in PA?

Milton Hershey School is ranked #269 out of 872 private schools in PA.

What is Milton Hershey School's MySchoolScout rating?

Milton Hershey School has a composite rating of 7.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

Is Milton Hershey School a private school?

Yes, Milton Hershey School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.

Is Milton Hershey School a religious school?

No, Milton Hershey School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
10 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)

Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
2,002
Gender Split
48% M / 52% F
Student-Teacher Ratio
9.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
221
Type
private
Coed Status
coed
Affiliation
Nonsectarian
School Day
6.9 hours
Days Per Year
185 days
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DAUPHIN
Data Year
2022–2023

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.