REVIEW OF Hudson College BY student, Becca Corlett

(5) Student Experience

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.

(4) School Leadership

I respect all of the Hudson school leaders. They are all very supportive and always there to help you succeed. The teachers are always there to help you and offer extra support. The guidance counsellor helped me tremendously during the university process and helped me succeed throughout all four years of high school to get me to where I am today. I wish that the guidance counsellor would not share information that is sometimes personal with peers, even if there was good intent behind it.

(5) Teaching

I think that the teachers at Hudson are very fair with the work they ask of students. They follow the curriculum they are supposed to and also add in fun activities to help keep students engaged. I think that, for me, success means that my teachers expect me to complete my work to the best of my abilities, but without making myself overworked or anxious over small projects or assignments. The teachers are very straightforward and are always there to help students, whether it be with personal or academic issues. I feel confident in my academic abilities going into university because of everything the teachers at Hudson have taught me over these past four years.

(5) Academics

I think that, depending on the class, the work differs. I would say that for the majority, if not all, of the classes I took in high school, the work was just right, if not challenging at times. I believe that what I’ve learned will set me up for success in my future endeavours, including my upcoming years in university and beyond. Not only did the work that my teachers gave me help prepare me for the future, but the way they helped me develop habits and study regimens also played a big role in my success throughout high school. I think that without Hudson, I wouldn’t have the same study habits and work ethic that I have today, and I wouldn’t be as prepared for university as I am now.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

During my time at Hudson, I participated in many of the sports teams and clubs. I was the captain of the girls’ basketball team this year, which helped me grow both as a person and as a player. Being the captain allowed me to build relationships with younger students and help them navigate their journeys through high school. I do wish the school offered some co-ed sports, as I know other schools do. That said, I believe that everyone at Hudson has more than enough opportunities to join clubs or sports teams.

(4.5) Students

I would describe the students as extremely welcoming and accepting. Since Hudson is a small school, it’s something new that a lot of people have to adapt to. Because of this, it’s easy to make new friends, as many people are in the same boat as you. I think it feels like a town, small and close-knit. Even though many people see smaller classes as a negative, they can actually be a positive, as they allow you to get to know everyone around you and find the people you connect with most. I think that, especially in the older grades, everyone tends to get closer and hang out more. Overall, Hudson is a very inclusive space where it’s easy to meet people like you and make new friends.

(4) School Life

I would take them to see the uniforms first. Right when you step foot into the school, the first thing you see is the uniform. Not only is it the first thing on display, but you also see all the students walking around in it. I would also take them to see the house system. The house system is a big part of Hudson’s social life, as it allows the school to host pep rallies and fun social events where students from different grades can interact. The house system allows people to not only take on leadership roles but also learn from their peers the qualities they need to step into those roles in the future, which I think is especially important in high school.

(4) Community

Over the years, Hudson has started to feel more and more like a home to me. This is because of the people I’ve met, but also because of the welcoming community created not only by the students but also by the staff. I think that everyone feels included and appreciated because, at Hudson, there are countless opportunities to showcase your skills and learn new ones that might be useful in the near future. I also think everyone feels included because Hudson strives to create social events, like pep rallies, that help people meet others they might not have connected with otherwise. Additionally, since the classes are smaller, students have more opportunities to bond with and work alongside different classmates.

(4.5) School Location

Hudson is in an amazing location—not only convenient for students to go out for lunch, but also easily accessible for people living all around Toronto. Since Hudson is located on St. Clair, there are many different options for where people can go out for lunch or just grab a snack. This is perfect for those who might not have time to make lunch or prepare it every morning before school.

(5) Admissions

When applying to Hudson, I was in grade 8. I had to do an interview with the head of admissions as well as take a test. I would tell someone applying that it’s okay to be stressed, but don’t let the stress hold you back from doing what you want. I recall being very anxious and stressed about my interview, as I had never interviewed for anything before. The head of admissions was very nice and helped me settle into my interview easily with her humor as well as her encouraging words.