REVIEW OF Hydrostone Academy BY parent, Samuel Bolton

(4.5) Student Experience

The teachers foster a genuine joy in learning and reading, expanding their lexicon. Hearing kids in his grade 2 class claiming the "penultimate" spot in line to go outside warmed my heart. He has the freedom to expand and grow in areas he already excels in and isn't being held back to keep pace with the class. He is also being supported in areas where he needs a bit more help or attention. My child appreciates that if he has energy that he needs to burn off, he can take a break from class and use the mini trampoline or jump on a stationary bike for a few minutes to get his focus back. The school is great at fostering a general state of kindness towards members in the school and the broader community.

Why Hydrostone Academy?

We looked at other schools in the area, and there were a few factors that tipped the scales for the Hydrostone Academy. We really liked the community and the values of inclusivity. The multi-disciplinary approach and incredible STEM programming- the school regularly places in the top three in national science fairs and LEGO robotics competitions.

Expectations vs. Reality

The school aligned with my expectations for academic support and success. Teachers care and have the time to support individual students and foster a joyful environment. The school surpassed my expectations with how much staff cared about the social and emotional well-being of my child. They truly want to see my child flourish in every regard.

Your Advice

I would advise parents to look at how the school fosters genuine joy in learning and meeting the staff. The people at the school care not just for the academic success but also for the social and emotional growth of children.

(5) School Leadership

The school administration and leadership are responsive to any questions or concerns I've had. They've taken the time to listen to me and resolve any situation. The school leadership not only talks about the kind of inclusive, supportive environment that they want, but they also take concrete action to ensure that this is the kind of place it is. Any disciplinary actions have been well discussed and addressed proactively before there are larger concerns. There is great communication between parents and staff.

(5) Teaching

The quality of instruction is second to none. The staff are smart, knowledgeable and great at teaching. They not only impart knowledge but also do so in ways that the students love and create fun along the way. There are great artists, musicians, writers and brilliant educators with science and math degrees. The staff make the time to communicate with each student to ensure that they understand what is being taught. The staff communicate with parents throughout the school year as well, especially if there are challenges the student is facing. The class sizes are the right size so that staff can help students who are excelling in particular areas, so they don't get bored or feel held back. There are subjects where my child is grade-average, where he receives the support to grow and surpass our expectations.

(5) Academics

The academic strength of the Hydrostone academic is myriad. Primarily, the curriculum incorporates multiple subjects together, allowing students to incorporate art into science. This allows students to make connections between subjects and fosters a holistic view of society and the world at large. There is a supportive culture that the school actively cultivates. The school has a great science program, and regularly places in national science fairs and lego robotic competitions. The academics also integrate the outdoors and First Nations knowledge and history. There are camping trips for older grades. Progression through the school allows students greater autonomy and supported academic independence. I see this as one of the greatest strengths of the school- allowing students to select their paths is a boon for my child's development.

(3.5) Extracurriculars

One of the few drawbacks of this delightful small school is that it does not have the large student body for some school team sports. However, there are sports intramurals and track events. Students also instigate extra curricular activities with staff support. The school does cater to student interests and supports the development of programs and activities that kids want. This also helps develop student leadership capabilities.

(4.5) Students

This is a smaller school, and this is a boon, in my opinion. There is a closeness to the students. The older grades help and interact with the younger grades, such as reading or math buddies. This integrates the school community in a way that I wish I had experienced in my youth. It's common to see older and younger kids playing together on the playground or greeting each other in the halls. Older kids enjoy the responsibility of working with and supporting younger students in reading or math. And the younger kids look up to older students and admire their success/work. This is also indicative of the kind of community the school actively fosters- there is an emphasis on kindness to everyone. This environment allows kids to reach beyond their strengths and strengthen their weaknesses.

(4.5) School Life

My child genuinely loves attending school, which is a relief and a joy for me. He looks forward to seeing his friends and his classroom activities. His teachers have been great about sharing the weekly schedule, which helps our child know what is happening each day of the week. This leads to greater anticipation for classes and events. There's great integration of arts into science and social studies that my kid adores. It allows him to use his strengths in some areas where he has challenges. My kid's teachers have also been wonderfully communicative with us regularly, so that we are able to help in small ways to ease any challenges he may have or prepare for upcoming events or assignments. This allows us to help ensure that he continues to have a great experience at school.

(5) Community

I am not a terribly social person, and even though I consider myself a hermit, the community is wonderfully supportive and accepting. The parents of other kids have become close friends because the community is caring, and these people genuinely want the best for everyone. There is a requirement for parental involvement in the school. There are a number of small, easy ways for this to happen throughout the school year. Parents are steadily involved in events- setting up events, preparing food, stacking chairs and acting as chaperones on different field trips. Parents are also integral to some school events- hosting field trips at their work, and doing introductions to post-secondary institutions. Through parent and community involvement, the parents show the students society beyond the school.

(5) School Location

The school is located within the Hydrostone area of Halifax, but pre-dates the Halifax explosion that resulted in the school and community name. The school makes use of the surrounding area beautifully- Fort Needham Park is a common field trip and is used for the annual Terry Fox run. The museum on the Navy base down Gottingen street is used by classes studying local history. The school is integrated into the local environment and is part of the fabric of the city.

(5) Admissions

I recall visiting the school with my child and speaking with the staff at a drop-in for families. My initial reaction was one of fondness for the building itself and finding the staff to be communicative, kind and very knowledgeable. It was reassuring that the staff supported applicants throughout and asked us as many questions as we asked them. We were curious about if the school supported kids with exceptional gifts, and they were able to tell us how students are able to excel beyond standard grade level within a class. The admissions process was straightforward, and we received a timely response.