The Hudson School

I would like to respond to the previous review - yes, there are tests and homework, but neither I or my husband found it to be overbearing for our child. It was just the right amount. Our kid had plenty of time to be on Facebook, read, watch TV in the evening and go to all the additional clubs and socialize with other kids. Our family loved the school, it was wonderful experience with some hiccups, but nothing is absolutely perfect: there always be amazing teachers and not so great ones, but kids have to learn how to work with both. Hudson has many truly amazing teachers and I wish I had at least one of them as my teacher when growing up. It is very personal, very nurturing environment, but it is for very bright kids: it can be a tough place academically for some children. At the same time Hudson has been very accommodating as it offered 3 levels of math for middle-schoolers. There is a lot of pressure to get to the best possible college and there is fierce competition. Whenever my kid goes in life, Hudson taught him/her this very much needed lesson on how to face these types of pressures in a very loving, very liberal and highly academic atmosphere.
—Submitted by a parent

If you want your child to be completely overwhelmed with homework, essays, tests, and projects, go to the Hudson School. Here, your child will be doing busywork and tests/assessments in every subject every day. This is especially problematic in the seventh and eighth grades towards the end of the year, where the students must juggle weekly tests, daily graded assignments, finals, and multiple projects at once. For increased results from the pupils, some teachers allow the students to be exempt from the final for that class if they perform exceptionally in each quarter. However, this is made up for when these same teachers give huge projects, papers, and presentations at the end of the year anyway. The workload is overbearing and leaves no time for the student to enjoy the leisure of simply being a kid. Those with long-distance commutes have it even worse as they cannot spare a minute, for they must always be thinking of homework and upcoming tests. There is so much pressure being put on the kids as the teachers grade nearly everything the student hands in, and constantly announce the person with the highest grade.

The Hudson School has one of the most unique, progressive and positive learning environments I have ever seen in a school. Mrs. Newman, the compassionate and dedicated principal, is aware of everything that goes on and genuinely cares deeply about each student. The teachers challenge each child as an individual and appreciate everyone's unique talents. Passion is evident all around, among the students and staff. You can often hear students engaged with teachers in interesting discussions in the hallways.The work load is challenging but manageable, the classes small, and the staff fosters self-esteem and curiosity. For anyone seeking solid academics in a loving, slightly alternative environment, Hudson delivers. It's a small school with a big heart.
—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 graduate, 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.

Hudson School is Overrated. Strengths: 1. A few terrific caring Teachers. 2. Strong Latin & French Language teachers/programs. Critical Flaws : 1.Favoritism is rampant. 2. Many students are borderline bullies and the school administration is clueless about the goings-on inside the school bldg. 3. Expensive .School is always asking for extra Donations. 4. Lacking in strong Technology & Science/ Computer courses. 5. School administrators 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. Very few students stay back for High School. No broad 'real-world' experience. Needs to revamp/replace Teaching Staff in many classes/courses. Just an honest direct assessment of Hudson School. Hopefully will be helpful to others. My child is still currently enrolled at the school.
—Submitted by a parent

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

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

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

The school has an excellent academic program offering 5 languages, ethics, a large number of math levels. the teachers are passionate and the classes are discussion based. My children love the curriculum and are actively engaged in their projects. The work is interesting. The homework is a lot but manageable. They go out 2x's a day and take most gym classes at Steven's Institute. If I were to change anything it would be a to develop a stricter discipline policy but I think they are working on that!
—Submitted by a parent

Hudson has no problem filling the ranks of its middle school; call Stevens, Mustard Seed, and All Saints and find out how many children are switching over to Hudson for fifth grade and above. Yes, there is a drop off into the High School, but the two divisions are very different. And, Hudson also draws a chunk of kids in Essex County. Enrollment in the middle school is not problematic. I've worked there and I know plenty of people who seek spaces at Hudson when they tire of other schools in the area.
—Submitted by a parent

The Hudson School brands itself as catering to gifted children, but it's well known that the school has increasingly been working overtime to fill vacant spots in middle school classes from interested families who are willing and able to pay the tuition. While The Hudson School pushes hard for filling the ranks of its middle school, and does some things well, students leave in droves for high school after 8th grade, resulting in a huge drop off in Hudson School's enrollment from 8th to 9th grade. The high school classes are just too small. Also, the high school program tends to cater to artistic and creative kids, not the general college-bound population. Despite this, the school offers little to no guidance for high school-bound 8th graders leaving their families to navigate the confusing high school admissions process on their own.

A gem of a school. The teachers are so interesting and come from a wide variety of backgrounds. They love the kids.
—Submitted by a parent

This is absolutely the best middle school for your child to attend in Hoboken. Especially in the 7th and 8th grades, the English and math departments are phenomenal. However, a nameless foreign language teacher is much to boring to capture student's attention and is also often irritable and unable to cater to students who should either be excelling but are not because of the nature of the course or students who are having a hard time with the language. And while the PE class is much-loved by everyone, it is only once a week- not often enough for energy-filled students. It is a very free and friendly environment where the teachers are more than happy to help students who need help outside of school and individuality is treasured. On average, the academics rate 8.5/10. Over all, I am very glad to have been a student there from 5th to 8th grade.
—Submitted by a former student

We came to the Hudson School from an industrial sized suburban high school for the 10th grade. Small classes are the norm, and the teaching and attention to the students' development are superior. My son is now a senior and has been inspired by the close-knit inclusive spirit among the students. This is a joyful and creative place that values each child's uniqueness and celebrates it openly. Students are always using the facility for both creative and social interaction after school hours: it is a second home to many. We love this school.
—Submitted by Andrew Schwartz, a parent

We used Hudson School for 2 years and then pulled out. There is way too much homework, plus there are mandatory weekend activites. Kids are allowed to hand work in incomplete or late yet get full credit. And, in spite of astronomical tuition, everything costs extra. We had to pay for them to charter a bus for a field trip to Manhattan. All they needed to do was take the PATH! That kind of thing was typical.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is currently in the 11th Grade at the Hudson School. She has been there since 5 th grade and I have seen her change from a shy young child to a confident young women. The experience with the Hudson Scool is one of being a family member not a student or parent.
—Submitted by Henry J. Kaden, a parent

This is a small strongly academic private middle and high school approx. 200 students. There is a very good art and music program. Parents are involved in extra curricular activities, mainly.
—Submitted by a parent