REVIEW OF Hudson College BY Alum, Emmeline Accardi

(4) Overall Experience

A prospective student can expect to join a supportive community at Hudson College. Both teachers and students know each other well, even if you’re not close friends with them. The small grade sizes can make it easier to form meaningful friendships. I met my best friend of eight years here! Teachers consistently encourage you to do your best while giving you the academic foundation needed for success at a university level, making the transition more manageable. They adapt to different learning styles the best they can, helping people feel comfortable and confident in their courses. When you need a little extra help in a subject, teachers are always willing to make time to do so. They genuinely want to see you succeed and support you along the way.

Looking Back

I remember the meaningful connections we built with our teachers. Thanks to the small class sizes, each of us had the chance to form a personal relationship with them. They understood the kind of students everyone was and often adjusted their approach to bring out the best in us. Outside of lessons, you knew they were there to support you. I always appreciated being able to rely on my teachers in this way and felt grateful that they genuinely believed in me.

Current Perspective

When I look back on my time at Hudson College, I’m grateful for how it prepared me to do so well academically. As I progressed from middle school to high school at Hudson, I learned how to push myself and work hard for grades I was proud of. I was surrounded by classmates who cared about their studies and teachers who supported us in doing our best. From learning how to approach unfamiliar topics in courses like math and physics with confidence, to how to research and write strong essays, I felt well-prepared for the transition into university work. At the time, I did not notice this growth, but now I can see how Hudson helped shape me into a strong student.

Your Advice

It's good to be ready for and/or stay open to a smaller grade before enrolling! If you are on the fence about whether this is the fit for you, give it a little time, and you may find that it does feel right. For a while during my years at Hudson College, I wondered whether I would prefer being with a larger grade. Not long after, I realized how comforting it was to know all of my teachers and classmates personally. So don't be afraid to try it out; you may find that it can benefit you.

(4) School Leadership

(4.5) Teaching

Many teachers were passionate about their subject and would be eager to encourage a similar, genuine interest in us towards the material. They always challenged us to do our best, but made sure to be there to guide us in the process. Almost all of the teachers I had throughout my high school experience had a lasting impact on me. They helped me grow my confidence in my work and helped me figure out what I wanted to pursue in university. The dynamic between students and teachers was one of mutual respect. It was relaxed in the sense that students could join teachers in their classrooms just to chat, and teachers would come to understand each student, allowing everyone to feel comfortable when learning together.

(4.5) Academics

Although Hudson College encourages students to do their best, it does not create a competitive or stressful environment. Teachers are supportive and happy to walk through your problems together. If you are having trouble with a subject or can't complete an assignment on time, you know your teacher will be reasonable and happy to help, which helps relieve some of the stress of coursework. Although it wasn't overly competitive, students still worked hard and were engaged in their studies, creating a strong work environment among peers. Moreover, Hudson College was good at teaching the core foundations in subjects and appropriately challenging students. This allowed me to feel confident and well-prepared in my university-level courses.

(4.5) Extracurriculars

Hudson offers plenty of clubs and activities to get involved in, all without the pressure of intense competition. Some of the activities I joined during my time there included the soccer club, track and field events, school plays, and the newspaper club. If you have an idea for something new, you’re encouraged to start your own club. My friend started a Model UN club, and just a few years later, it’s in full swing, with students even travelling to debates! Hudson encourages students to get involved, which helps them build valuable skills outside the classroom and strengthen their extracurricular profile for future applications.

(4) Students

Students at Hudson College are hardworking and motivated, yet they maintain a healthy balance without becoming uptight or overly stressed. The school also brings together a diverse community, with a mix of local and international students, which offers a great way to make meaningful connections and learn more about others. Due to the smaller grade sizes, simply being open to others will likely lead you to some form of connection or friendship with almost every student.

(4) School Life

(4.5) Community

After graduating, it is easy to stay in contact with the school. Many students go back to visit once or twice a year, and teachers are always happy to reconnect. The school often reaches out with ways to stay connected to all the other alumni, such as the recent LinkedIn group. This year, a couple of students and I were even invited to participate in a panel and give advice to the current grades.

(5) School Location

I really enjoyed the location. Hudson College has a large courtyard and nice track for students to hang out in, as well as great off-campus options for lunch or study periods. There are many food places just up the street, which was nice during breaks. Public transit was super accessible from the school, making it easy to get to and from places.

(4.5) Admissions

When I applied for grade seven, I spent a day in class, completed a diagnostic test, and had an interview. Hudson also offers student mentors who give tours and share what an average day looks like. These measures really help prospective students imagine themselves as part of the school. I also found that even if a student doesn’t perform at their absolute best on the initial assessments, the admissions team can look beyond that and recognize the potential they can develop at Hudson.

(5) University placement and counselling

I’m grateful that teachers and the guidance counsellor began discussing university applications early on. Our guidance counsellor, along with some of my favourite teachers, helped me explore my interests and ultimately guided me toward a program I truly love today. They encouraged us to keep our options open by taking courses that would support a wide range of university applications. We also had guest speakers, including alumni and parents of students, who shared valuable advice about their fields, what to consider when applying, and what campus life is like. By grade 12, check-in meetings ensured we were well-informed about timelines, due dates, and properly set up with resources like OUAC, making the application process feel clear and manageable.