REVIEW OF Hydrostone Academy BY parent, Jose Mejia

(5) Student Experience

Hydrostone has been excellent for my son. Classes are really small, and teachers devote a lot of time to attending to students. They also catered to his special needs and helped him to adapt to his new environment. He has participated in theatre and movies, which have helped him develop very good social skills, besides great knowledge about acting. He plays piano and has enjoyed joining the music class very much. Despite the loss of my dear wife to cancer, I am sure that the Hydrostone community has helped him to adapt substantially and has given him great self-esteem and some leadership skills. Kids also learn to adapt very well, given the diversity of students and staff. The school teaches them how to eliminate judgmental attitudes and to respect and embrace human diversity and qualities.

Why Hydrostone Academy?

Small class size, excellent communication between parents and teachers. A very accepting and truly integrated student body with thoughtful and clever accommodations. Besides my son, a few other students require accommodations, and they also enjoy changes to cater to their needs. Great exposure to life experiences and out-of-school skills. They have taken trips to ski resorts, camping, the governor's house, and many other places. While in the city, they walk and travel by bus, which teaches them new skills too. Arts are very well covered with ample exposure to music, theatre and movies!! My son plays piano and flute in the music course and in the concerts offered during the year. He has also been encouraged to use his creativity and compose. There have been three movies created and directed by the drama teacher, in which my son and many other kids have acted. Similarly, theater plays have been also an opportunity to practice his drama learned skills.

Expectations vs. Reality

It aligned perfectly with our expectations. It is the perfect balance of academic achievement, diverse activities, freedom of choice and integration in society. My son has participated in science fairs, theatre plays, movies and concerts, all of which were created, developed, organized, directed and performed by the teachers and kids at Hydrostone Academy. It is excellent to bring the best out of children and teens while embracing the realities of our world. Probably the only thing it is not is a sports-oriented school. That is not to say that they don’t do any sports, they do, but you may to have to add some extracurricular activities if your retirement plan is to have a kid win a Stanley Cup.

Your Advice

Hydrostone Academy will prepare your child for life, beyond the academic, in such a way that they will become adapted and productive members of society. More importantly, they will get the tools to be decent and successful human beings by being respectful and kind to their peers, loving and caring for nature, curious and enthusiastic in learning and integrating into the most diverse yet unique student body you can imagine. Come and visit the school, talk to teachers, students and parents to experience what I have described above. Come with an open mind, and I am sure you will be impressed by all Hydrostone Academy has to offer.

(5) School Leadership

Leaders at Hydrostone Academy are very approachable and responsive to your questions and concerns. I get prompt responses to emails. Often, I am invited to participate in events that the school organizes to exchange knowledge with other parents. The door is always open when in doubt or in need of assistance, and in so doing, they make you feel very comfortable and welcome. Simultaneously, my son has learned how to develop and apply leadership skills that I am sure will be very good assets in his future career.

(5) Teaching

I think that the teaching is extraordinary in how close and inviting it is to the children. You can see the passion in all by organizing numerous activities that they coordinate and carry out. I think that so far, my son’s academic achievements are sufficient to go to university and succeed. The environment is friendly yet challenging. Kids are encouraged and invited to further their education while teachers demonstrate to them that ambition in going outside the box, beyond the limit, and overcoming hurdles in their goals of educating the kids. My son knows that whenever he is stuck on a project or an assignment, he can approach his teachers and ask them for advice. He is always encouraged by their responses and attitude to ask questions, clarification if needed or even some extra time if overwhelmed with work.

(4.5) Academics

I don't think that Hydrostone's academy is to simply fill the kids' knowledge tank with information that will have no use in the future careers of the students they have. More importantly, I have observed that the children are encouraged and taught how to obtain knowledge, which in turn, prepares them for future situations that could not be predicted at these early stages in their lives. I don't have a doubt that they fulfill all requirements. I have seen my son and his peers participating in knowledge-based competitions against private and public schools. Some of them have even participated in provincial and national competitions. That is a clear testament to the level of academic success the kids are exposed to and encouraged to achieve.

(5) Extracurriculars

This is, without a doubt, a very strong point at Hydrostone Academy. They include in their regular programs things like outdoor life, camping, taking them to field trips, and on top of that, they also organize various clubs and extracurricular activities that allow the children to have an excellent and comprehensive view of the world and the future. Furthermore, by asking them to add volunteer activities, they are strongly encouraged to further their horizons and perspective of the world.

(5) Students

Hydrostone Academy is the most accepting environment for all children. The diversity and richness this allows and encourages are such that kids flourish in areas they otherwise wouldn't. In turn, this creates a real academy for lifelong learning rather than just another school with extra work and tough discipline. Students are free to express themselves in all aspects, which, as we now know, is not even allowed anymore in other provinces! This also promotes respect amongst kids, which teachers and staff also model. The size of the student body is ripe for close contact among students and teachers, close monitoring of their progress, and the ability to advise them in their academic and non-academic development. This is invaluable when problems arise, and collaborative work needs to be implemented to solve any conflict.

(4.5) School Life

Hydrostone Academy goes to great lengths to integrate the families of those kids attending the school. From the moment the families visit to get acquainted with the school, where the whole family is invited, to the integration of parents, siblings and extended families in the activities planned over the year, as expectants enjoying concerts, plays, etc., as volunteers participating in the logistics and organization of the various events, in the communication over email, in person, etc., participating in committees and other organizational bodies, etc. All that being said, it is important to note that when invited to participate, it has never been coercive or forced. Families' participation is entirely free of pressure, and truthfully enjoyable when possible. Needless to say, the kids enjoy going to school very much!

(5) Community

Hydrostone is a very strong community of parents, children, and teachers. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved such as giving talks to kids or other parents, helping to organize school activities like trips, helping to improve the environment at the school, with parent teacher conferences that are flexible (virtual or face to face), personalized (parents schedule them within a time framework) and very informative with students always present and participating. Furthermore, there is always open dialogue and communication, given that teachers are always available and easy to talk to. A very valuable resource is the presence of counselling at the school to support the students with any problem they may have. In general, the school feels like a welcoming environment, and involvement is never imposed but always encouraged. I love that we all get to help on the basis of our capacity.

(5) School Location

I think the location is fantastic. The neighbourhood is quite nice and vibrant. There is ample opportunity for the older children to venture outside if they so wish, but, though encouraged, they are not pressured to do so. The school building is quite big and sufficient to allow for all types of activities. With some help and support from parents or donors, changes could be implemented and improvements achieved. Donations integrate the community in that we can participate in the activities that need to be done as well (painting, for example).

(5) Admissions

The admission process was very welcoming. We were introduced to all the teachers, and we were shown the whole school. We had ample opportunity to ask questions. The process was easy without any extraordinary requirements or waiting times to make decisions. I find the feeling welcomed and at ease leaves you with a sense of security and trust in a school where you can leave your children knowing that they are going to be happy, secure and where they will be able to develop to their full potential. There is no sense of discrimination or selectivity. One feels truly welcomed.

(4.5) University placement and counselling

Given the small number of students, kids can be supported and guided extensively, comprehensively, yet in a personalized manner. In our case, they provided information and documentation without delay and without any trouble. We always found a helping hand, notwithstanding how difficult the application process to the other institution was. Our son hasn’t experienced much hesitation about what he wants to do, but I have heard that other kids get substantial support in guiding their decisions and making the process of leaving hydrostone academy into furthering their academic life smooth and painless.