Dedicated to Developing the Whole Child

Dedicated to Developing the Whole Child

Our Lower School offers a superior, balanced academic program from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 8. Our mission is to engage students in a dynamic learning environment and inspire them to become intellectually vibrant, creative, compassionate and responsible individuals. We help prepare them to assume leadership roles as valued citizens of their communities.

Our Lower School program helps our students develop the skills to not only do better at school, but also develop the confidence to do better in everything else. We pride ourselves in providing students with a positive, nurturing, and supportive learning environment that allows each student to reach her or his maximum potential.

At Hudson, we recognize that a diverse, multicultural learning experience broadens intellectual horizons and promotes in each student a sense of appreciation, tolerance and understanding of other cultures.

We believe that the development of both academic and creative learning skills enriches the individual child and encourages independent thought and imagination. We strongly support the concept of a healthy mind in a healthy body. We provide a stimulating, challenging and nurturing school environment that supports the development of the whole child, physically and intellectually, into a caring, responsible and productive member of the global community.

We also believe that knowledge is best acquired through a series of positive learning experiences, and that children build on these experiences as they develop and progress in life. Our students are recognized and respected for the unique individuals that they are, and their successes reflect our dedication to providing an exceptional, well-rounded education for all of our bright young students.

Program Overview

As with our Upper School curriculum, our Lower School program offers many key benefits to ensure and inspire our students' success in learning:

Superior, balanced curriculum
Dedicated, highly qualified teachers
Stimulating, challenging, and nurturing environment
Small class sizes
State-of-the-art computer lab
State-of-the-art science lab
Outstanding facilities
Early-start literacy and numeracy programs
Full-day kindergarten program
Individual approach to learning
Foster each child's creativity, exploration and inquiry
Strong arts, music, and drama programs
Before and after school care programs and activities
French (core) language programs starting in kindergarden
Wealth of clubs, sports, and arts
Textbooks provided
School bus service available

As part of our Mentorship program, our Upper School students also act as guides, tutors, and mentors for our younger students.

Junior / Senior Kindergarten and Primary School Program

Our JK/SK and Primary program is designed to establish a solid foundation for our students' future academic success, and is based on experiential learning. Our students are motivated to learn by developing core knowledge in the areas of Reading Readiness, Early Math, Early Science, Art, Drama, Music, French, and Physical Education. Extensive field work to significant cultural venues and recreational centres is also employed by our teachers to help our young students learn beyond the classroom.

We believe those children who are provided with a carefully designed early education program gain significantly by developing their personal, coping and socialization skills and a lifelong positive attitude towards learning. Children's early learning experiences have a profound effect on their development, thus an excellent beginning to formalized education is paramount for all children.

Starting in kindergarten and through the primary years, children's receptivity and capacity to learn are at their peak. It is during this period that they acquire a variety of important skills, knowledge and attitudes that will affect their ability to learn and their personal development later on in life. Our kindergarten and primary children are provided with a rich opportunity to gain the necessary skills which will place them on the path to academic success and healthy personal growth. Our educational philosophy and curriculum ensure that the necessary ingredients for the very best beginnings are present.

We view these precious early years at school as an extension of the family, and for this reason, we encourage an active partnership with parents. We understand the importance of working with parents and our commitment to open communication, collaborative problem solving and decision making between administrators, teachers and parents, is a hallmark of our approach to education in kindergarten and the primary grades.

Our kindergarten and primary school has the support of our entire school community, including our elementary and secondary school staff. It is through the creation of such a friendly, inclusive environment that smooth transitions into later grades and a sense of belonging are promoted successfully.

Junior and Intermediate School Program

Continued small class sizes, and highly qualified, experienced and helpful educators are essential to the success of our Junior and Intermediate program, offering the Ministry approved curriculum at an advanced level.

Our students are encouraged to achieve academic excellence and to realize their full potential, building on the skills they have gained in their primary years, thus enabling them to become increasingly more independent and prepared for the challenges they will experience as they progress towards high school.

As our students enter the next phase of their education that will take them through to grade 8, we emphasize academic achievement and advancement in English, Math, The Sciences, Arts, Drama, Music, Physical Education, and Critical Thinking and Analysis. French and Spanish language courses are also available.

Our junior and intermediate students are given a reasonable amount of daily homework, with at least ten minutes of assigned homework daily for each grade level. For example, a Grade Three student would receive approximately 30 minutes of homework daily, whereas a Grade Six student would receive approximately 60 minutes of homework each day.

Our students are continuously tested in an informal manner by our teachers, while regular standardized testing ensures that students are reaching and surpassing all academic requirements in each of their respective grades.

At Hudson, we believe students learn most effectively through experential, hands-on learning. Our extended trips each year give Hudson students the opportunity to grow through gradually increased challenges away from home and school.

High-achieving Student Program

Hudson College recognizes high-achieving, academically gifted students. These students are offered the opportunity to enhance their academic strengths through a deeper exploration of subjects of interest, a faster pace in the presentation of material, and a concentrated focus on higher level skills in literacy, math, and science. The goal is to help these students realize their full intellectual potential while still benefitting from all of the other academic, co- and extra-curricular programs offered at Hudson.

Grade 7-8 Leadership Trip

In September, our Grade 7 & 8 teachers and students attend an outdoor adventure camp north of the city. Its purpose is to introduce students to basic survival, team-building and leadership skills. While staying on-site in cabins, and working primarily out-of-doors, students learn about taking responsibility for handling outdoor gear, wearing proper clothes for the outdoors and in managing their own belongings. Part of the mandate is to encourage effective and cooperative teamwork through trust exercises and team-based challenges. Another purpose is to help students prepare for future Outdoor Education and Leadership Excursions when they attend our Upper School.

Grade 7-8 Quebec or Ottawa Trips

At the end of May, our Grade 7 & 8 students and teachers attend a personalized, all-inclusive trip to either Quebec City / Montreal or Ottawa. Its purpose is to immerse Hudson students in the charm, character, and culture of these historic areas of our country, while providing ample curricular tie-ins to their studies of New France, The Seven Years War, Aboriginal culture, Confederation and the formation of Canada. Hudson students will visit exciting destinations such as the Musee du Fort, Martello Tower, Biodome, Space Camp, Olympic Park, Parliament, Museum of Civilization, Canadian War Museum, National Gallery of Canada, and the Rideau Canal.

Grades 3-6 Outdoor Adventure Trip

Near the end of the school year, our grade 3 to 6 students and teachers attend an outdoor education camp in the gorgeous Muskoka area of central Ontario. Students enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, swimming, sailing, fishing, cooking, and many other arts and outdoor adventure-based activities. There are also team-building exercises, games, movies, camp fires, and many other exciting activities for our students. Students sleep in cozy cabins, and eat delcious, lovingly-prepared meals!

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