REVIEW OF Hydrostone Academy BY parent, Nelly Amenyogbe

(4.5) Student Experience

My children have been attending Hydrostone for over two years now. Our family often reflects with deep gratitude on the role this school and the community we have become a part of have in our lives. When we moved to Halifax from overseas, we sought out an environment that would provide our children with the social-emotional foundation in their early years that they could carry forward into their teenage years and adult lives. Initially, the school webpage was our sole source of information, but after a short visit and tour from one of the elementary teachers, it was clear to us that this philosophy reflected the day-to-day running of the school. We have two very different children who are motivated in completely different ways, and the school environment enabled them both to thrive. For example, one of our children struggled with literacy but is also deeply thoughtful. The other aims for good grades but struggled in their social connections. Their teachers impressed us by their ability to see the good in our children and help them overcome their weaknesses, all the while instilling a positive sense of self. The school also has a learning approach that truly meets kids where they were. For example, my child learned math through making salsa and was eager to make some at home. Teachers often come up with unconventional and creative ways to teach that replace worksheets and long periods of sitting with dynamic movement and play. It is fantastic to belong to a flexible, innovative community that is not afraid to try new things. One of my children struggled at one point with finding their friends. While the small class sizes have many advantages, the disadvantage for them was that they were not able to connect with different children when their primary peer relationships were going through a hard time. However, this eventually resolved on its own. Neither of my children has expressed any disappointments with the school or with their teachers.

Why Hydrostone Academy?

We considered a few local independent and public schools when our family was moving to Halifax. Ultimately, Hydrostone Academy won us over during our initial tour, when even in that short exchange we felt the teacher made a genuine effort to connect with us. We felt valued, and we felt that our kids would have that same experience.

Expectations vs. Reality

Mostly, the school has aligned with my expectations, with an emphasis on social and emotional learning in the younger years. The smaller class sizes, often with mixed grades, have offered our children the chance to form meaningful relationships with a diverse range of peers and with their educators. This environment was instrumental for one of our children to catch up with their literacy; something that they struggled with for their first few years of schooling, but thanks to the tactful approach of the teachers, they were able to catch up without a diminished sense of self. Both our children have also had the opportunity to challenge themselves either through school projects or by joining Battle of the Books. One place that the school can improve is in opportunities to engage in athletics. I understand that for a small school, traditional sports programs would not work the way they would in a large school. However, I am hoping for more organized intramurals or clubs to be available, especially for the elementary years.

Your Advice

For the early years especially, I can't think of a child who wouldn't do well in the kind of supportive and close-knit community that Hydrostone offers. Perhaps for families looking for a more sports-oriented school or a school with a more traditional concert band offering, other independent schools may be a better option. However, for those placing social-emotional development and open-mindedness at the top of their priority list, Hydrostone will meet and hopefully surpass your expectations.

(5) School Leadership

The school administration has been very approachable for our family. We are also impressed with how discipline is handled. One of our children has gotten into some trouble with his friends, but we mostly find out when they tell us at home, not because we get a call from the teachers. The way the teachers have handled those instances seems to leave our child understanding what they have done wrong. Children are also given a chance to course-correct. This is important and has helped our children grow rather than feel shame or anger.

(5) Teaching

Our family has been very happy with the quality of education our children have received. Since the primary program is play-based, children generally have had less exposure to literacy by the time they reach the first grade. However, there is a growing amount of research that supports a later introduction to literacy around the ages of seven. The current Grade 2/3 teacher specialises in literacy specifically, and she approaches teaching kids how to read as a science. During parent-teacher interviews, my partner and I are consistently impressed at how the teacher understands our child in some ways better than we do with respect to their learning habits. The fact that they take the time to understand each child in the classroom to such a level is a testament to their dedication. Another great example is the music program. While not the traditional concert band offering that is more common, the current music program (reminiscent of School of Rock) teaches kids to engage in music in ways that will likely keep them engaged for a longer period of their lives. While, at least for the upper school, I am left wishing for an option to try different genres like jazz or classical music, clearly for the kids this is a big win. Likewise, the phys ed program is run by a teacher who is deeply passionate about many forms of movement, including, but not limited to, traditional sports. The children have fun while they are taught how to respect boundaries.

(4) Academics

For families looking for rigorous academic programs with plenty of content and a sense of competitiveness, Hydrostone is probably not the best offering, at least for the younger years. However, this is the right balance for my children at this stage of their lives. For example, report cards assign grades based on effort and not on academic performance for elementary school students. There is also increasing evidence that this strategy is very effective in the early years, generally speaking, where children may become more reluctant to challenge themselves if they know they are being graded. With an emphasis on effort, the focus is on behaviours rather than the final outcome. This also means that the overall trajectory of a child over time is more so the focus, rather than their current grades. While ultimately this model may not effectively prepare children for post-secondary studies, I believe that the upper school shifts away from this trajectory in order to prepare students for more challenging post-secondary environments.

(3) Extracurriculars

For the younger years, there are some great opportunities for children to engage in extracurriculars. These include Pride Club, Battle of the Books, and handball intramurals. There is also a great after-school program run by two excellent members of the community with a strong background in theatre. As a result, the after-school program releases a new feature film that the students worked on over the whole school year. While I do appreciate the holistic environment that the school offers, there is definitely less of an emphasis on competitive sport compared to other environments. While I have seen some changes over the years (for example, a middle school basketball team), there are not as many opportunities for children to engage in competitive sport. Thus far, we have signed up our children for sports outside of school to give them the chance to develop that skill set in a more rounded way.

(4.5) Students

This school is truly a community. It's not only our children who have forged strong friendships, but my partner and I as well, as we got to know other families. This comes out when parents often come together to make and prepare teachers’ gifts during the holidays. We have even organised ourselves to go camping in the summer, with most of the families in a class joining in. One of the lines that we heard expressed is that students learn to belong rather than fit in. That definitely aligns with the experiences that my children have had. While one of my children did have growing pains with their friend circle, the teachers helped the children resolve their differences and talk through their feelings with the help of the school counsellor. I feel like this kind of approach is unique to the Hydrostone community. Not only do they have the chance to form strong friendships, but they are given the tools and vocabulary that they need to deal with strife in their relationships, an essential skill that they will hopefully carry with them into adulthood.

(5) School Life

My children look forward to being at school. They are excited to see their classmates and their teachers, and both of them look forward to the after-school program as well. While questions like "What did you do at school today?" are often responded to with the typical answers "stuff" and "things," from what I have been able to learn, the kids have ample time to move around and release their energy. As one example, there are a few stationary bikes out in the hall outside some of the elementary classrooms. For students who need to blow off some steam, that is an option for them. There are also quiet corners kids can slip into if they are feeling overwhelmed or need some quiet space. I value this approach, as again it meets the kids where they are and gives young children the chance to meet their needs (e.g., by riding a bike) instead of being singled out for not paying attention.

(4) Community

One thing that I have treasured about Hydrostone is that the parents are happy to build a community. I feel like I have made friends because my children go to this school. Sometimes, it is very pragmatic (for example, when there's a snow day and you need to get to work, there is another parent happy to help you out, and I would do the same for parents when I can). This has also helped me handle some of my children's struggles. For example, when one of my children has been getting themselves into trouble, I find it easy to connect with the parents of the other kids involved so that we can all think of constructive ways to support our children together. I feel like this kind of partnership will become especially important as the teenage years roll in. Most of the parental involvement is self-organized, and I think that's beautiful. There is a parent council at the school, and perhaps there could be more opportunities for parents not on the council to engage or provide their feedback. However, for those who are keen to reach out and have a say, I feel it would be very welcome.

(4.5) School Location

While I can't speak to this as much, since my young children cannot leave the school grounds on their own, Hydrostone is located in one of Halifax's most treasured neighbourhoods (aptly named the Hydrostone). The location makes it easy for classes to board a bus to downtown for school field trips or to the Halifax Commons to enjoy some time outdoors in warmer weather. It also brings children close to walkable spots for some great field trips, like small art galleries and even a trip to a local produce shop to learn about math by purchasing their own fruits and vegetables. The Hydrostone neighbourhood has a beautiful community vibe, so the school fits right in. For those who drive (which thankfully is not us all that often), parking is not always the best. So if I had one criticism, it would be that. But then again, where is there a school where traffic around pickup and drop-off is easy?

(5) Admissions

I found the admissions process was fairly streamlined. I was asked to provide reference letters written by the teachers at my children's former school, and I did send through their report cards as well. I do know that for children who need substantial learning support, the school is not resourced to meet those children's needs. As for advice, I think that the school is very willing to consider context for families where a reference letter or a transcript does not make your child look like an angel. I feel like some families would be drawn to Hydrostone if their children have had a bad experience at a different school where they were not set up for success, and I don't think the culture in this school would turn a child away before hearing the back story. If anything, it did leave me feeling sad when a child that my kids knew left the school because the level of behavioural support they needed could not be met by the school. However, they are happy where they are now.