The Hudson School

Hudson School is OVERRATED ! Strengths: 1. A Few terrific caring Teachers. 2. Strong LATIN & French Language teachers/programs. Critical Flaws : 1.FAVORITISM is rampant. Bi-Polar Teachers such as a certain Science Teacher in 7th Grade / several instances of nonsensical-whimsical projects/assignments. Also some Teachers have a personal vendetta against particular students. 2. Many students are borderline Bullies and the Principal is clueless about the goings-on inside the school bldg. 3. EXPENSIVE . also school is always asking for extra Donations. 4. Lacking in strong Technology & Science/ Computer courses. 5. Principal NOT at all responsive to constructive recommendations from concerned Parents. Overall not worth the high Tuition Expense> Student Body from a very narrow demographic income group so NO broad 'real-world' experience. Needs to revamp/replace 'stale' Teaching Staff in many classes/courses. Just an HONEST direct assessment of HUDSON SCHOOL. Hopefully will be helpful to others.
--Submitted by a parent

This school is a unique school, and it does its job. It diligently educates students, while also managing to teach them about current issues in the real world. Its science and math programs are great, and the teachers---such as Mr. Raisa, Ms. Couturie, and Dr. Wool---teach in a not only captivating, but also dynamic way. Its other strengths, such as History and the languages(Latin, Japanese, French, Spanish, etc..), are also very strong. Teachers such as Dr. Case frequently engage his students in discussions of the material they cover---which often results in students understanding much more of the content then they otherwise would have from just reading the textbook. Additionally, the language teachers are very skilled at their job. Teachers such as Ms. Soulier and Ms. Yokota often make understanding foreign languages not only easy, but enjoyable. The Hudson School's students are very sociable, and it is easy for any student to find friends here. As a Hudson School senior, I can't begin to explain just how much this school has allowed me to mature as a person. With that said, this school is as far from "normal" as possible--and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I have 2 children in the Hudson School. They are both very different kids with different strengths and interests. They are both thriving in the Hudson School. Why? Because they are treated with respect and valued for their individuality. The small classes are what many students crave....an opportunity to be known and understood by their teachers and classmates. The success of the teaching is that the teachers are truly passionate about learning....not memorizing and regurgitating facts for tests. The students are challenged and supported by the most superior group of teachers I have ever seen in a school. These teachers stay late after school, helping students understand a lesson more clearly, doing science experiments, helping in every subject and the students want to stay after school. The students help each other. A real experience of community is what you feel every time you walk in to the Hudson School. My children commute on the NJ transit from an excellent public school system where we live. But we come to The Hudson School because we value education and learning at these earlier years, as critical to children's development as "whole" and holistic people.
--Submitted by a parent

We are considering this school for 5th grade next year but are confused by the extremely conflicting reviews. It sounds like an nurturing and exciting and intellectual environment but are there also teachers throwing things at children? Poorly taught science classes? An inflexible principal? We would really appreciate more reviews from more parents to help us get a better handle on this school.
--Submitted by a parent

Some teachers are truly good, - in math, English and Latin for example. Others are not so much. I looked at the notes my kid brought home to prepare for the Science test, - and I could not find any system there. Just some very arbitrary pieces of trivia, poorly organized. In history class, after kids were told to pick a topic for an essay, my kid was instructed to drop his choice and was asked to write something that apparently seemed more politically appropriate to the teacher.
--Submitted by a parent

Like many schools, The Hudson School middle school has a pervasive cheating problem. Unlike some other schools, there is no accountability. Students are told not to stress about grades, while grades are read out loud and some teachers favor students who attain high grades. Teachers are allowed to get away with outrageous behavior including throwing things at students, cursing, and publicly chastising students for any dip in grades. One teacher spent much of his time telling personal anecdotes, while the students did homework for other classes. He gave extra credit on tests for retelling these personal anecdotes. There are some wonderful teachers and the middle school students are often gifted academically or in other ways. Would we enroll our child again, given everything we know? Maybe.
--Submitted by a parent

The Hudson School is surrounded by many other elementary, middle, and high schools. Many suspect that this prestigious school is wonderful, challenging, and supportive. This is not the case. They don't even give high school guidance/support. This could definitely explain the fact that half the kids going to Hudson have parent(s) that are involved in the Board of Education or other middle/high school and college associations. I am currently an 8th grader going into freshman year, and among my list of high schools I applied, Hudson was one of them. I was hoping that taking their test would prep me for other, more difficult, high schools. This was not the case. Being in the 98 percentile, I was accepted swiftly. I declined. This school does not offer any of the subjects and/or extra curricular activities I wish to have in a high school.

My child is in the middle school at The Hudson School. She has been challenged to do her best academically and also encouraged to develop ethically. Many of the children are gifted in a variety of ways, academically, athletically, or in the arts. It is now quite hard to get in for the fifth grade, but somewhat easier as a transfer student in the later grades. Not every child thrives in such a small environment, but for those that do it is first-rate and tuition is a good bit less than other comparable private schools. The homework load is similar to any academic middle school. The students in the high school will tell you they love it. Children in the high school get into wonderful colleges - recently there have been acceptances to Harvard, Brown and Columbia.
--Submitted by a parent

We had heard great things about Hudson and thought that our middle school child would really blossom there, but that hasn't been the case. There is a lack of accountability -- parents even teach some of the classes, which I think is inappropriate. The founder, who also runs the school, believes in 'my way or the highway' which is her perogative, but which also means that if you disagree with her you have no voice. You enter middle school thinking that your child will stay for high school and quickly learn that this is a pipe dream - it's simply too small for most kids. And then your child is crushed under a pile of homework and you can't get high school guidance or support -- all and all a disappointing experience. We will be happy to leave in two years.
--Submitted by a parent

If you are looking for a place where your child is truly appreciated for who they are, this is it. Far superior to any school in Hudson County (and beyond), it is a gem set in a diverse, interesting town. There is absolutely no place better for your child to experience challenges and learn to be responsible than here.
--Submitted by a parent