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in-depth report
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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Hudson College






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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Hudson College
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

Meet them
at the Expo

Toronto (Oct 04)

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School overview

Pages in this report:

  • Grades
    JK — Gr. 12
  • Gender
    Coed
  • Class Size
    16 — 22 students
  • Tuition
    $19,500 to 22,500/year
  • Language of instruction
    English
  • Associations
    AP
  • Enrolment
    440 day students
  • Curriculum
    Traditional & Reggio Emilia
  • EBROCHURE
    View eBrochure

Special Event
  • Meet Hudson College's admission team at the Private School Expo: Toronto (Oct 04).  RSVP NOW

The big picture on Hudson College

We wrote a book reviewing the school

The 50-page review of Hudson College is part of our series of in-depth accounts of Canada's leading private schools. It provides a unique and objective perspective on the school's academics, programs, culture, and community.

Read our in-depth review

We questioned the school adminstration

1. Who are you, as a school?

"Hudson’s down-to-earth, family-oriented community fosters every student’s natural motivation to learn and grow. Our elementary program builds a powerful foundation in math, language and science while interweaving critical thinking, fine arts, wellness and character education. The high school’s three-semester system continues this tradition of balance and rigour, adding flexibility and personalization with Acceleration and AP pathways. Fewer subjects each semester and daily study periods allow for deeper, more focused learning on a university-aligned schedule. Thoughtful tech integration includes coding from Grade 2, robotics and a 1:1 laptop program from Grade 9. Extracurriculars are wide-ranging, with camps, field trips, competitive sports, and clubs from cooking to creative writing. Smaller class sizes and dedicated teachers ensure that all students receive the attention and care needed to achieve ambitious personal goals and move through life with confidence, curiosity and kindness."

  • Founded in 2003
  • Reggio Emilia kindergarten
  • Saxon Math
  • 4.5-acre campus with turf field
  • Extended care up to Grade 6
  • Hot lunch program
  • Personalized university guidance
  • 100% postsecondary placement
  • Entrance scholarships available

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

"We're all about balance. Our academic program is enriched and challenging – Hudson graduates are accepted to selective postsecondary programs and our students score...(more)

3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

"At our size and price point, it's difficult to offer an array of niche programs. We teach the ukelele and band instruments, but not classical strings; French and Spanish, but no...(more)

4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

"Moving from a smaller location at Sheppard and Bathhurst to our more central, modern St Clair West campus in 2006 allowed us to expand to a full JK–12 program and...(more)

5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?

"A student who is motivated to form positive, meaningful relationships with their peers and teachers; who is ready to be pushed, but not pressured; who consistently works toward a...(more)

6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

"Families seeking a highly competitive culture or accelerated academics might not connect with our approach. We don't rank students and discourage them from comparing themselves to...(more)

7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

"We're told that our diversity, down-to-earth community, affordable tuition, and welcoming admission process set Hudson apart. One parent told us that she knew Hudson was the right...(more)

8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

"Unpretentious, authentic, and excellent value for the quality of education. A word we've heard a lot recently is 'refreshing'– we want to challenge the perception of private...(more)

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

"Our team responds to student needs in a way that's only possible within a close-knit school community. This might entail making minor adjustments to the way we deliver our...(more)

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

"New families are often surprised by the choice in our club offerings and the strength of our drama, music and visual art programs, especially for a mid-size school. After several...(more)

11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

"We're adding AP Calculus, Biology and Chemistry to our 2026 course schedule. These will be run as standalone courses to allow our Grade 12 students seeking enrichment and the next...(more)

12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?

"We want to be the 'just right' school: not too big, not too small, with enough academic and activity options to satisfy a broad range of interests. In practice, this means...(more)


We got insight from alumni, parents, and students

Hudson College: Alumni Review from Joana Xavier

Gr. 8 to Gr. 12 — Watch our alum interview with Joana Xavier to learn about the unique experience of attending Hudson College.

Hudson College: Parent Review from Kimberly Eberwine

Gr. 8 to Gr. 12 (current) — Watch our parent interview with Kimberly Eberwine to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to have a child attend Hudson College.

Hudson College: Q&A 2022

Watch our Hudson College Q&A discussion to gain fresh insight into the school's culture, values, and strengths.

Hudson College: Q&A 2021

Watch our Hudson College Q&A discussion with Jane (Parent), Brian (Parent), Taylor (Alum) to gain fresh insight into the school’s culture, values, and strengths.

Hudson College: Alumni Review from Sarah Robinson

Watch our alum interview with Sarah Robinson to learn about the unique experience of attending Hudson College.

Parent, Elysia Baldassarra (2025)

(4.9)

Gr. 1 (current),JK (current),Gr. 1 (current),Gr. 1 (current) — Our family has been fortunate to have all four of our children attend Hudson College, and through each of their unique experiences, we’ve seen firsthand the strength and consistency that make this school so special. From the early years through the upper grades, Hudson provides a loving, nurturing environment where each child feels seen, understood, and truly supported. Our children have found many opportunities to shine, whether it’s through the science fair, school plays, spelling bees, music programs, or joyful end-of-year celebrations. Each year, something new! Every student is encouraged to participate and recognized for their contributions, which fosters a strong culture of confidence and belonging. For us, Hudson College is much more than just a school; it’s a close-knit, caring community that feels like family.

Student, Becca Corlett (2025)

(4.6)

Gr. 9 (current) — I am very happy with my choice to join Hudson in Grade 9. It has set me up for my future and has made me a better person all around. I have enjoyed meeting new people and trying new things, and I think that Hudson gives every student equal opportunities for success. If I could change one thing about Hudson College, it would be the gym, more equipment, and an overall bigger space to play sports. Other than that, playing on all the sports teams was very fun; for basketball, we got to go to HoopDome for our home gym. One thing I loved about Hudson was the study space and the study periods. It allowed me to finish my work at school and have more free time at home and on the weekends.

Alumnus, Julia Shanta (2025)

(3.9)

Gr. 7 to Gr. 12 — My overall experience at Hudson was quite positive. The school allowed me to work part-time at the after-school program, which encouraged me to expand my cultural and linguistic horizons and introduced me to a whole scope of different cultures and people. I do think that Hudson prepared me well for life's next steps, though I do feel that the support and diversity I received at Hudson made me more uncomfortable with the hands-off approach in my first year at Queen’s. It was a bigger transition for me in making friends and in managing my time appropriately. I think that as a prospective student, you might expect small classes, a tight-knit group of friends, one-on-one support from teachers and mentors, and an opportunity to get involved in clubs and activities with little to no obstacles. This helped me a lot when applying to university as I was able to determine what I do and do not enjoy and the areas I wanted to invest more of my time in at university.

Parent, Jill Javet (2021)

(4.9)

My daughter has been at Hudson College since Grade 8 and is just finishing grade 10. She came from a larger public school and immediately felt comfortable and accepted at Hudson. She was shy at first in class but soon -- with the support of the teachers -- began to develop the courage to participate. Her biggest fear that first year was how she would possibly keep up with Hudson's challenging math curriculum. Before too long, she was excelling at math for the first time in her life. After three years at Hudson, I think our daughter really appreciates the supportive approach to teaching and the accessibility of the teachers and staff. Like any teen, she has ups and downs but is so far having a really positive experience both inside and outside of the classroom.

Alumnus, Gabriela Petrilli (2021)

(4.5)

What I liked best about Hudson was how inclusive the school is. You are able to be yourself but are still able to grow, in the ways on how you can express yourself with different clubs, all of the sports teams, and on dress down days and certain school events. Also you meet all kinds of people with the diversity they offer at Hudson. I found that I was able to discover different sides of myself that I never really considered and opened up a little to new experiences as well. I really found most of the school events in elementary and in high school to be super fun, like June fest, the concerts and plays and all of the House Events, because you were able to be with your friends, do fun activities, sometimes show your spirit and be competitive at the same time, but still show good sportsmanship and end up with a smile on your face. In elementary, every month the teachers recognize personal traits with some of the students and acknowledge them with the Character awards, traits such as Respect and Perseverance. If there was anything I would change about Hudson, it would have to be have to be a little bit about the uniform. Overall, I've been completely used to the uniform, but sometimes they can be a bit strict about the uniform, when it comes to little things like not being allowed to wear black leggings in the wintertime underneath the kilt, the black shoes being over the ankles etc. So if they were a little bit more lenient about certain rules with the uniform that would be great improvement for sure. I have definitely felt that Hudson has prepared me for the next steps in my life, because they have taught me good principles to practice, like being on time, making sure to hand in assignments on time, and how to collaborate with people. For a student enrolling here, once you start, the first few days might be a little hard but once you start to become comfortable and opening up, then you can really start to find your people and even have friends in different grades.

Student, Ethan Cariou (2019)

(4.7)

In my experience Hudson College is a fantastic school. I love how open and welcoming the school is to everyone. I also like the fact that at Hudson College you're not just a number within the system, here everyone cares about you and wants to see you succeed. One thing I wish I had a better grasp of is just how intense the semester system can get, especially considering I originally came from the public system. I love the semester system now and the many benefits it has. It just was a big change for me at the start that I wasn't really expecting. Overall though, Hudson College is a fantastic school that really wants to see you succeed and helps you achieve the goals that you want to achieve.

Student, Daniel DeBarros (2018)

(4.9)

My experience at Hudson College has been nothing but wonderful. Coming from a rather large school with upwards of 1800 kids, the transition couldn't have been smoother. From the first few seconds I entered the school everyone was welcoming and supportive. Hudson has endless support to offer in areas such as university, program choices, and personal support. I personally love the structure and feeling that Hudson provides you with on a daily basis. Throughout my past two years at the school I've been beyond content with my experience. When I come to school every day I feel as if I'm walking into my second home. My fellow classmates and students are always smiling, happy, and engaging.

Student, Eva Greyeyes (2018)

(4.4)

It took some time to settle into Hudson, but it was the best feeling when I realized I was talking with more people, and everything seemed a bit more casual. The people here are really nice, and even though I came in grade 10, there were a lot of new students just like me. As the student body grows, I think the school would benefit from a more formal student government. Currently, any interested students have the option of joining the Student Council, which is responsible for planning most of the school events and activities. I would love to see these opportunities expanded, with the election of a student body president, treasurer, and so on. On a personal level, the commute to Hudson has proven to be a challenge, as I spend an hour on transit each way. That said, I do feel like the travel time is worth it because of the quality of students, teachers, and staff available to me at Hudson.

Parent, Nicolette Linton (2018)

(N/A)

My daughter is in her fifth year at Hudson College (she joined in Grade One from a French Immersion public school). In that first year, she was behind in maths and reading, and didn't believe that she would ever be able to master those skills. She was so down on herself, she almost didn't want to try. Her Grade One teacher was incredibly encouraging, and over the years the school staff have built up her confidence by celebrating her strengths (sports and social skills) and supporting her through any difficulties. It's been wonderful to see my daughter blossom into her best self, gain confidence academically and make great friends. The class is small - 15 this year - so she has a lot of attention on the academic side. One very small thing she would change: she would like to have more girls in her class!

Parent, James Hyslop (2018)

(N/A)

It starts every morning when I drop my children (grades 7 &2) off at school in the morning. They run into the school (and not because of the cold!). They both love going to school. They have tremendous bonds with their friends and peers and very strong relationships with their teachers. They feel that the school is a family. Our children are made to feel like they matter, that the staff care about them and are interested in their lives. Of course they wouldn't use the word "empowered" but that is how I would describe their overall feeling. They feel confident to try new things, not afraid to fail (although it does suck!) and rewarded for achieving.
See all reviews (13 total)

We reported on the school in articles

What’s happening in middle school?

“I always equate it to stairs in the home,” says Jeff Bavington of the process from grade to grade, though he’s quick to note that “not all stairs are equal.”

Where learning takes root

The Kindergarten program at Hudson College capitalizes on young children's natural curiosity. Its Reggio Emilia-inspired educational approach provides fertile ground for learning, development, and growth.

Profile of Jeff Bavington, Head of School, Hudson College

“Some parents feel academics is the sole purpose to affix as the top priority for a school,” says Bavington, “what they can often forget, I think, is what it was like to be a teenager or a child."

Building Confidence and Stretching Limits: Advanced Academic Pathways at Hudson College

Hudson College’s new enriched STEM pathways offer early acceleration and AP® courses to challenge high-achieving students, build real-world skills, and prepare them for postsecondary success.
 

Dig deeper into Hudson College

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The OUR KIDS Report: Hudson College

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