Middle Years

Saxon is a highly regarded, rigorous program that spirals the instruction of each concept and continues to review information introduced earlier. This allows students the time to practice and retain math concepts to the level of mastery.

Science is the third core subject at Hudson, and we emphasize experiential learning with hands-on experiments, the development of analytical skills through research, and an ongoing assessment of the relationship between science, technology, environment and humans. Middle years students learn not only how to conduct experiments ranging from water testing to electrical charges, but also how to structure and prepare formal lab reports.

Our performance-based music program fosters patience, commitment and self-expression. Grade 6–8 students learn concert band instruments alongside the theory, history and elements of music. All students learn to read, understand and actively listen to music at their respective level, and perform in holiday and end-of-year concerts. We also offer clubs including the Come Sing Along choir, and Come Jam Away club where students can play additional instruments (guitar, bass, drums, keyboard) and learn songs in a more informal format.

Students learn to speak, read, and write in dynamic classes that follow the Action in Motion (AIM) program, which culls important vocabulary and grammar in each unit and incorporates them into a play. Students use the Trillium-listed Odyssée series, with engaging themes and a wide variety of text forms designed to promote authentic communication.

Middle years classrooms are equipped with laptop carts for each student to use as needed, most often for later drafts of essays in Language Arts. Our curriculum also includes coding and robotics: Grade 6 students use mBots, Minecraft Coding, Intro to Python, and CS First projects. In Grade 7 and 8, they continue working with mBots, in addition to starting W3 for Python and learning to build apps.

Clubs and activities at Hudson include (but are not limited to): external field trips to museums and galleries; Band; Chess; Choir; Cooking; Creative Writing; Dance; Drama; Robotics; Science; and more.

We actively teach students to demonstrate kindness towards themselves and others. Our teachers model and encourage problem-solving, care and inclusion as an everyday practice. Interpersonal difficulties are an opportunity to practice dialogue, respectful self-advocacy and consideration for others, as well as build social-emotional awareness and self-regulation. Each month, we also highlight one of the following values: Citizenship, Compassion, Courage, Fairness, Honesty, Perseverance, Respect, Responsibility, Self-Discipline, Trustworthiness. Students then select one or two classmates who have worked especially hard to demonstrate that value for recognition at our monthly Lower School assembly. We address issues related to injustice with knowledge embedded in our curriculum as well as days of acknowledgment throughout the year, including the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Pink Shirt Day for anti-bullying, and the Let’s Talk Day for mental health. As part of the literacy program, Middle School students complete an independent novel study, choosing a work of fiction that centres LGBTQ2S+ and BIPOC narratives, or highlights social movements for racial equality, women’s rights and other causes impacting our local and global communities.