Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation: Hershey Montessori Huntsburg Campus Marks Milestone Anniversary

Celebrating 25 Years of Innovation: Hershey Montessori Huntsburg Campus Marks Milestone Anniversary

Oct 6, 2025 | Featured Posts, School News | 0 comments

HUNTSBURG, OH — Nestled among the wooded acres of Geauga County, Hershey Montessori School’s Huntsburg Campus is celebrating a remarkable milestone: 25 years of pioneering adolescent education rooted in the Montessori philosophy. Since its founding in 2000, the campus has grown into a globally recognized model for experiential learning, sustainability, and community-minded, project-based education.

A Vision Realized
The Huntsburg Campus was the first in the world to fully implement Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision for adolescent education. Built on 97 acres of farmland and forest, the campus integrates academics with purposeful work, including farming, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. Students aged 12 to 18 live and learn in a setting designed to foster independence, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving.

“Twenty-five years ago, we planted a seed—an idea that adolescents could thrive in a place rooted in trust, purpose, and connection to the earth,” said Debra Hershey Guren, HMS board emeritus, major donor, alumni parent, and current grandparent. “Watching that vision grow into a vibrant, global community has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life. Hershey’s Huntsburg Campus is more than a school—it’s a living expression of Montessori’s cosmic vision, where young people are truly seen, challenged, and inspired.”

From Seed to Legacy
What began as a bold experiment has flourished into a living community of growth and connection. For more than a quarter of a century, the Huntsburg Campus has welcomed adolescents from around the world, each bringing unique cultures, perspectives, and gifts.

“I still remember when I first visited the Huntsburg Campus. I saw students joyfully working in the garden—so confident, so connected. It was clear this was more than a school. For 25 years, Hershey has honored the adolescent journey with purpose, trust, and deep respect. Watching young people grow into themselves here has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” said John Buzzard, Huntsburg Campus Director.

The intentional design of Hershey Montessori’s academic and social programs, open the door for students to engage in purposeful work that nurtures independence, responsibility, and care for others.

The Production & Exchange program is one example—an opportunity for adolescents to experience meaningful work and economic literacy through real-world practice. This essential program, and many others, have been supported and sustained through the generosity of a number of donors, among them The Hershey Foundation, the Rig III Foundation, The Dekko Foundation, and the Jerome T. Osborne and Georgeanne S. Osborne Charitable Trust.

Looking Ahead
With its foundation firmly rooted in Montessori principles and its gaze set on the future, Hershey Montessori’s Huntsburg Campus continues to evolve.

“As we celebrate 25 years of the Huntsburg Campus, we honor not just a milestone, but a movement—one that has redefined what adolescent education can be. This campus began as a bold vision rooted in Montessori’s Erdkinder principles, and today it stands as a living, breathing example of what happens when young people are trusted to lead, grow, and contribute meaningfully to their world,” said Diana LeSieur, Interim Head of School and Director of Admissions. “Looking ahead, our commitment is stronger than ever—to deepen our impact, expand access, and continue evolving with the needs of our students and the world they will inherit. The next 25 years hold extraordinary promise, and we are ready to meet them with purpose, passion, and possibility.”

For more about the Huntsburg Campus and its programs, visit the Hershey Montessori School website.

Hershey Receives $150k from The Dekko Foundation

Hershey Receives $150k from The Dekko Foundation

Sep 17, 2025 | Featured Posts, School News | 0 comments

Concord & Huntsburg, Ohio — Hershey Montessori School is honored to announce receipt of the second and final payment of $150,000 from The Dekko Foundation for the two-year grant award of $300,000 entitled, “Rebuilding Capacity for Sustainability.”

This capacity-building investment strengthens Hershey Montessori’s enrollment and retention efforts, placing the school on a new upward trajectory toward long-term financial sustainability. With these funds, Hershey will expand its marketing plan, deepen domestic and international engagement, and implement campus-based retention strategies.

“Our mission is to provide beautiful Montessori environments, where learning and work are integrated within a community experience engaging the intellectual, moral, and social development of children and adolescents from birth to eighteen years,” said Interim Head of School Diana Le Sieur. “We are deeply grateful for The Dekko Foundation’s partnership in this mission.”

Through this investment, Hershey Montessori School will continue to guide children and adolescents in developing a strong sense of self, equipping them to thrive in changing times, and preparing them to contribute to the world as stewards of peace and humanity.

Hershey Montessori School, with campuses in Concord and Huntsburg, Ohio, serves children from birth through age 18. As an internationally recognized Montessori school, Hershey is a model for best practices and a hub for Montessori teacher training.

 

Hershey Receives Ohio Arts Council ArtsSTART Grant

Hershey Receives Ohio Arts Council ArtsSTART Grant

Jun 17, 2025 | Featured Posts, School News | 0 comments

Hershey Montessori School is deeply grateful to the Ohio Arts Council for the generous $3,642 ArtsSTART grant for the 2024–2025 school year.

This support enriched our arts program across both campuses, providing materials and resources that fostered creativity, self-expression, and cultural awareness from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The grant allowed professional teaching artists to collaborate with classroom guides, integrating visual arts, music, and performance into academic subjects and daily learning. Students applied these artistic experiences in class projects, performances, and exhibitions, sharing their work with peers, families, and the wider community.

This holistic, hands-on approach reflects the Montessori philosophy of nurturing the whole child and developing creativity, confidence, and critical thinking for life.

Hershey Receives $20K Award to Support Huntsburg Campus, Farm

Hershey Receives $20K Award to Support Huntsburg Campus, Farm

Apr 2, 2025 | Featured Posts, School News | 0 comments

Huntsburg, OH — Hershey Montessori School (HMS) is pleased to announce a $20,000 award from the Rig III Family Foundation to support capacity building at its Huntsburg 7th-12th Grade Campus.

The funding will address infrastructure and operational needs, including building repairs and professional development for staff. Additionally, this award will fund repairs to animal fencing, upgrades to campus facilities, and support operational costs, such as mental health specialists and educational resources.

The campus farm is central to HMS’s mission to provide an environment where learning and work are integrated within a community experience, engaging students’ intellectual, moral, and social development.

Hershey’s campus farm serves as small-scale community for students to practice real-life skills while benefiting from the integration of the farm with their academics, i.e., sciences, mathematics, and history. Timely and relevant lessons are also incorporated, such as energy, environment, water, and sustainability practices.

Founded in 1978, HMS serves over 250 students, offering a unique program at its 97-acre Huntsburg Campus. The program provides day and international boarding students with hands-on, real-world learning experiences, fostering growth in agriculture, sustainability, personal responsibility, and community.

“We’re grateful for this support, which helps us continue providing an exceptional, holistic education that prepares students for the future,” said Paula Leigh-Doyle, Head of Hershey Montessori School.

$10K Gift from Osborne Charitable Trust Supports Hershey’s Production & Exchange Program

$10K Gift from Osborne Charitable Trust Supports Hershey’s Production & Exchange Program

Mar 18, 2025 | Featured Posts, School News | 0 comments

Huntsburg, OH, — Hershey Montessori School is grateful to The Jerome T. Osborne and Georgeanne S. Osborne Charitable Trust for a $10,000 gift supporting its Huntsburg 7th-12th Grade Campus Production & Exchange program.

The Production and Exchange program (formerly known as Microeconomy) is a key component of Hershey’s Adolescent Community as it aligns with Dr. Maria Montessori’s vision of preparing students for economic independence. Through real-world business endeavors at markets, events, and online, students develop creativity, problem-solving, and financial acumen.

This funding will help to enhance students’ financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills through hands-on experiences in business management, product creation, and sales.

Located on a 98-acre farm, Hershey’s Huntsburg campus provides an immersive learning environment featuring organic gardens, beekeeping, maple sugarbush, domestic animals, a greenhouse, and dedicated artisan spaces. These experiences foster independence and responsibility, equipping students with essential life skills.

“We deeply appreciate this generous support from The Osborne Charitable Trust,” said Paula Leigh-Doyle, Head of School at Hershey Montessori School. “This gift will empower our students with real-world financial and entrepreneurial experiences.”