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FOX43 Reveals How Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning Will Improve Education Access

Featuring Senate Alexander, Executive Director of CHS

The rising cost of high-quality early learning programs is a growing challenge for families in Pennsylvania and across the nation. Many children under the age of 5—especially those from low-income homes and other disadvantaged backgrounds—don’t have opportunities to receive high-quality education and care. FOX43 reports more than 400 children in Harrisburg alone are on the waiting list for the city’s federally-funded Head Start center, a cost-free program for young children.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning aims to close the accessibility gaps. With the initial launch of six centers across the Commonwealth, CHS will provide education, care, nutritious meals, and other supports to hundreds of children in need.

“When we think about the Catherine Hershey Schools and what they are going to be able to do at no cost, this is going to be really life changing,” Alexander said.

Last month, CHS broke ground on its first center in Hershey, with construction expected to be completed in 2023. A second location is planned for Harrisburg’s Midtown neighborhood, which is set to open in 2024.

Click here to watch the news story.

Catherine Hershey Schools

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning are subsidiaries of Milton Hershey School and will be staffed and operated independently of the Milton Hershey School core model.

Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

© 2024 Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning