REVIEW OF Hydrostone Academy BY parent, Sarah Baillie

(5) Student Experience

My children attended Hydrostone Academy from Pre-Primary to Grade 9. Their experience was fantastic. They always felt seen - for their strengths and their challenges. The ethos of the school promotes a culture of kindness and respect, and this creates an environment where the kids always felt supported by their teachers, the executive, and their peers. As little people, their days were filled with unique learning experiences that resulted in the integration of the lessons without them feeling the pressure to perform in traditional learning styles. For example, I remember them learning multiplication while skipping, which really enhanced the experience and retention of the material. The younger grades really foster individuality and creativity, making the experience of elementary school really joyful and low-stress. By middle school, we could really see that the kids were learning how to think critically - a real essential in today's world. The kids felt really empowered to speak their minds and explore their interests and ideas within and outside of the classroom. A favourite part of school was the outdoor education focus. All throughout their schooling, they spent a tremendous amount of time outside - whether it be walks around the neighbourhood to look at plants or overnight camping trips. My kids developed a tremendous love of and respect for the natural world from a very young age, and their school experience had a big part in reinforcing that. The parts that became frustrating for them were the class sizes as they got closer to high school age. While the small classes were perfect when they were younger and in early middle school, they became really aware of the need for a larger social circle as they neared high school. They also missed out on a lot of team sports - largely because there are just not enough kids to have a large number of teams.

Why Hydrostone Academy?

We chose that school because of the whole child learning environment that is present in the elementary school. It drew on Waldorf and Montessori traditions and allowed for every child to learn in their own way. It was rich in the arts, physical learning and music. We stayed because our children thrived and got the kind of intellectual and creative freedom combined with strong academics that we wanted for them. The outdoor education focus was also a big selling point. Kids need more nature in their lives and this school really allows for that.

Expectations vs. Reality

To be honest, because our kids started in pre-primary (preschool), our expectations were very simple - safety, creativity, socialization and fun. As the years progressed, our expectations were usually met. The divergence from expectations arose when one child was diagnosed with ADHD in Grade 8 and the resources were not there to be able to support him as well as we had hoped. That may have changed now as it was 4 years ago and there have been new staff hired who may have more training in this area. When our other child was feeling under - challenged however, the director went out of her way to set up an auxilary credit for him to complete in computer science so that he felt engaged.

Your Advice

I would visit the school during a typical day and speak with teachers and parents at a variety of grade levels. I am certain the Director of Admissions could set you up to chat with parents of current students. Every family I have referred there has been happy with their choice, and I feel that word of mouth is the best way to get a real feel for the school.

(5) School Leadership

Our experience with school leadership has been exceptional. We always had excellent responses to our concerns and queries. Discipline always seemed judicious, and when we were there, a restorative justice-type model was employed in most cases and was very successful. Communication was always excellent, and we always felt heard. There was an open-door policy, and parents were welcomed at any time to bring concerns or ask questions. This school has the most positive environment of any school we came in contact with through friends and family.

(4) Teaching

We felt that the teaching at Hydrostone Academy was overall excellent. My children, who are both very different learners, were served equally well in most subjects and with most teachers. The teachers always met the students where they were and challenged them to push themselves without creating stress. It was encouraging and championing rather than pushing to excel simply for the sake of higher grades. One area that could have been improved was geography studies. That may have changed in the last few years, but I felt that my kids did not get enough of it. Teachers are well-versed in their subjects, and it is a very integrated curriculum, so they learn in a very holistic way. All the teachers at HA are really passionate about the school, the students, and their subjects.

(4.5) Academics

The academic program is very strong. In some ways, it is a sneaky academia. Because the culture of the school is not one that fosters a lot of competition and focus on numerical evaluation only, the academic success of the kids does not feel fraught with pressure. This creates an environment that is less stressful, and I believe allows for deeper learning. The sneaky part is that, without knowing it, the kids gain knowledge, critical thinking, and STEAM skills while meeting traditional academic milestones without the stressors inherent in standard educational models. I have seen firsthand that the kids are prepared for life's next steps. My kids left HA for public high school in Grade 10 and found themselves to be very strong academically compared to their counterparts. And most of the students who graduate from HA do so with scholarships to post-secondary institutions.

(3.5) Extracurriculars

Extracurriculars were not as strong when my kids were there, largely because of the small number of students. That said, there has been an improvement in the last few years—more clubs, volunteer opportunities, community engagement, and sports. The new director has a background that includes many connections, allowing the students to explore ways to contribute to their community.

(5) Students

The whole school, from Pre-Primary to Grade 12, averages around 150 students. The student body is robust up until the end of Grade 9 (when middle school ends in NS). The school loses a number of students (particularly those who have been at the school for many years) at the beginning of high school. Thus, the numbers thin out in Grades 10–12. That said, the high school does inevitably gain new students who want a smaller, more intimate high school experience rather than that of the big 1,700-person schools. The feeling in the school is one of joy. The students take care of each other and treat each other well because they are treated well. There is a culture of kindness and respect that is central to the ethos of the school and that is apparent the moment you step in the doors. When our kids were there, incidents of bullying were almost unheard of, and when newcomers arrived and behaved in such a manner, the students would be the ones to point out, "we don't do that here." It sounds too good to be true, but it really is. It is a loving and nurturing environment that produces children who understand that aggression and bullying do not need to be the way the world operates, and they feel confident enough to call it out. The kids are allowed to be themselves, and that fosters self-esteem and security that results in incredibly well-rounded, respectful humans.

(5) School Life

My kids loved going to school. As mentioned, toward the end of Grade 9, they were ready for a bigger school. I am not sure how quality of life could be improved. Perhaps finding ways to join other smaller schools to create joint sports teams or clubs might be an idea. Overall, I think I have covered much of what school life is like. The school year can be a bit short - that was always one of our frustrations when the kids were younger. It ends in early/mid June, and that can leave parents a bit high and dry since camps haven't started yet. I think the school has tried to remedy that by adding end-of-school camps for those couple of weeks. The outdoor ed program is incredible. Your kids will be outside for far more than just recess, and those experiences solidify a connection and love for nature.

(5) Community

Parents are very involved in the school community. As a small school, they always need parent volunteers, so that fosters relationships. Also, there are morning coffee gatherings and lots of time on the playground with other parents, which builds community. The school felt like a second home to us when the kids were in elementary and even into middle school. Parents help out in the office, for events, in classrooms, with property maintenance… if you want to be part of the school community, the opportunities are endless. I was on the board for five years, and that was very fulfilling. Overall, it is a very inclusive environment, and like-minded parents make for a fantastic group of people to work with on any number of school-related projects.

(5) School Location

I am a bit biased because we live in the same neighbourhood as the school. That said, it is in an urban environment, but because the Halifax Peninsula is small, it is possible to walk or bus easily for field trips or to the local sports fields. The neighbourhood is a safe and walkable community, and the school is right in the centre of it.

(5) Admissions

I can't remember our admissions process that well, so I gave it a 10. I don't recall any challenges. We attended an open house, then were given an individual tour. We had lots of time to ask questions, and when more came up, we were able to meet with the director to have our questions answered directly. The school has evolved quite a bit since those days, so I imagine it is more streamlined, but Hydrostone Academy is an institution that is not looking to exclude. It is looking for ways to bring in students who might thrive there and families who are looking for a solid school community.