The Middle School years are a time when students hone essential academic habits, continue to grow confidence and become resilient, and develop positive relationships across the Hudson community and beyond. Students build on the skills they’ve learned in their Primary & Junior School years and ready themselves for their transition to Upper School.
Middle School Program: Being independent
Hudson’s Middle School Program encourages students to achieve academic excellence and reach their full potential by engaging them in challenging academic and co-curricular activities that enable them to become more independent. Smaller class sizes lend themselves to more concentrated, differentiated instruction, so that teachers can meet the individual, educational needs of each student. In Middle School, Learner Profiles are developed and leveraged by Hudson teachers to determine where students are in their learning, what interests their group of students, and how their students best demonstrate new skills and knowledge.
Academic advancement in English, mathematics, the sciences, the arts (including music and drama), physical education, as well as critical thinking and skills across the core curricula are emphasized. In Primary years, a student’s academic and social-emotional skills are focused upon, while in Middle School, they’re further refined with intentional mentorship and guidance from teachers, specifically in academic strategies (note-taking, citation, test-taking, and emotional self-regulation); effective communication (writing and presenting essays, research, lab reports, speeches, and practicing advocacy through peer mediation); community service (Grade 6 students assist lower grades as part of our Helping Hands Program, Grade 7 students train in peer mediation to prevent and resolve conflicts between younger students, and Grade 8 students design and implement their own service program, which includes a monthly commitment to volunteering at Hudson and in the greater community).
In addition, Hudson trains students in Peer Mediation, which helps them apply communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills in order to reach outcomes that benefit everyone involved and promote a happy, positive school environment. Grade 7 students also receive guidance from Friendship in Action, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing healthy relationships among young people.
Experiential Learning: Grades 6–8 Extended Trips
Each year, Hudson offers extended trips to give students the opportunity to grow through gradually increased challenges away from home and school.
Grade 7 & 8 Leadership Trip (September)
Students and teachers attend an outdoor adventure camp north of the city to introduce students to basic survival, team-building, and leadership skills. We encourage effective and cooperative teamwork through trust exercises and team-based challenges. The trip also prepares students for future, Upper School excursions (Outdoor Education and Leadership).
Grade 7 & 8 Quebec or Ottawa Trips (End of May)
Students and teachers attend a personalized, all-inclusive trip to either Quebec City/Montreal or Ottawa to immerse students in the charm, character, and culture of historic areas of our country. The trips provide ample curricular tie-ins to their studies of New France, The Seven Years War, Aboriginal culture, Confederation, and the formation of Canada.