Upper School
Academics
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While working toward the well-regarded Ontario Secondary School Diploma, Hudson students benefit from an academic program that emphasizes the importance of skill development across disciplines. These include conducting qualitative and quantitative research, effective communication, conflict resolution, time management, digital literacy, and responsible leadership.
You’ll be able to move within and across disciplines to incorporate arts and STEM-related skills, solving problems and applying new knowledge in a collaborative environment.
Hudson’s three semesters offers a more flexible approach to completing eight credits each year, with students taking three courses in the fall and winter, and two in the spring. Concentrating on fewer classes at a time allows for less stress and improved focus, while naturally preparing students for the pace of a typical university schedule.
There is also a 90-minute study period every day during the first two semesters. This time is teacher-supervised in Grade 9 and 10, and creates dedicated space in students’ daily schedules for them to collaborate on projects, study for tests and seek one-on-one help from teachers. It also creates more time for after-school extracurricular activities and volunteering.
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Our Fine Arts program is comprised of visual arts, media arts, music and drama courses, as well as extracurricular clubs. We believe that all students benefit from exposure to the arts and opportunities to practise creative self-expression. Art Fest is an annual highlight for our Upper School families.
Students wanting to specialize in the arts can build on their skills each year, working to assemble a professional portfolio by Grade 12 to apply for competitive postsecondary programs. Technology is integrated into our curriculum with professional equipment and software such as Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and GarageBand. Hudson student work has been exhibited in gallery shows, accepted into TIFF Jump Cuts, and screened at the Bell Lightbox. Our graduates have entered programs at world-class arts institutions including OCAD, Parsons and Central Saint Martins.
We use inquiry-based methods, including project-based learning, university-style tutorials, and scenarios that involve critical analysis to challenge and inspire our future journalists, human rights activists, social workers, educators, and change-makers. Lessons often relate to a variety of contemporary local and global issues, and students engage in research and advocacy for issues they personally connect to. Students learn to develop social science experiments and conduct studies to put theoretical learning into practice. A one-on-one approach is often used in English to assess each student’s strengths and weaknesses, provide support to develop the skills necessary for their individual trajectory and set goals for post-secondary success.
We’re dedicated to developing a strong foundation of scientific literacy. We promote advanced lab skills, university-level techniques and industry-tier technology like advanced computer simulations, 3D printing, and biotechnology. Grade 12 students can join our Lab Assistant Program to work on advanced skills ahead of university, helping with class lab preparations and facilitating science club labs. We’re particularly proud that on average, 47% of female Hudson graduates matriculate into STEM programs.
In mathematics, students learn to logically argue their mathematical thought processes, work collaboratively to solve problems and build mathematical models of real-world situations. Exceptional Grade 10 students can join our Accelerated Math program and take Grade 11 mathematics that same year, followed by two Grade 12 math courses in Grade 11 and a third Grade 12 math course in senior year. Math Café and Power Math are two popular clubs at Hudson that provide extra help or advanced learning opportunities in mathematics, as well as training for UWaterloo contests.
Tech at Hudson equips students with professional tools used in a variety of industries. With access to university-grade Google Workspace for Education Plus—a suite of tools further enhanced by Chrome OS laptops—students can make the most of our academic resources while becoming skilled in the use of different software, applications and tools, including:
Adobe Creative Suite and Apple products for art, design, film and music composition
3D printers to teach fundamentals of industrial design and development
Virtual Reality and HTC Vive headsets
Multimedia Spaces with photography equipment and wireless presentation screens
All Grade 9 students receive a premium Chromebook equipped with educational software for seamless tech integration across all courses.
The iHub is a place where students can bring ideas to life by manufacturing and assembling personally designed products using 3D, VR, robotics, electronics, and multimedia. Future engineers, architects, industrial designers, or visual artists get hands-on experience with all the tools they need for creative projects.
Equipped with computers, iPads and an advanced projector, the Post is where you’ll find computer science students programming or music students composing their latest score. Themed after Canada Post with a vintage illuminated post office sign, it’s also our most stylish classroom!
Designed by Hudson students, the Zone enables real-time collaboration with classmates and teachers. Students can connect to any device wirelessly and share work on a nine-panel video wall, similar to those used in industrial environments and university classrooms.