Programs

Programs Overview

Children today are growing up in an increasingly competitive environment where critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to communicate effectively in a diverse, interconnected world are essential skills. At HudsonWay Immersion School, we prepare our students for this global future with a rigorous academic program enhanced by our focus on biliteracy, global competence, and emotional intelligence.

Day School Overview

Our track record speaks for itself: our approach is so effective that students continuing through elementary outperform the independent school norm by 10-20 points, are likely to be accepted to their first choice independent schools for middle and high school, and pass the AP language tests in middle school earning them the Seal of Biliteracy.

Academic Rigor

Our personalized, hands-on rigorous academic program integrates a variety of research-based approaches and curriculums that increase our students’ problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, going far beyond the Common Core Standards that all schools are required to meet.

Our language arts curriculum produces students capable of reading, writing, and eventually thinking in at least two languages. We teach math using the Singapore model, and support home reinforcement & student progress tracking through a digital platform. We use hands-on and inquiry based lessons, including FOSS (Full Option Science System) for kindergarten and above that allows students to explore, explain and make sense of phenomena in the world around them. In addition, we have implemented an inquiry-based, interactive approach to social studies encouraging our students to adopt a global perspective.

We believe that academic excellence is not a matter of memorizing facts, but of acquiring the skills that lead to success in school and in life. And that includes education programs such as music, art, and PE classes that reinforce and supplement all other academic learning.

Full Language Immersion

We know from experience that full language immersion is the most effective path to biliteracy, but 50 years of research proves that it does much more.

As students gain the ability to think and problem-solve in two languages, it changes the structure of their brains in ways that give them more creative, flexible minds, better problem-solving skills, and improved social emotional skills. These are the skills that can help students go on to take advantage of the global opportunities they will need to thrive in the future.

At the preschool level, the most effective approach is to offer 90-100% instruction in the second language - a percentage that tapers off to a still sizable 50% by the 4th grade. In our fully immersive environment, students develop bicognition – the ability to think and problem-solve in two languages.

HWIS’ full immersion program sets it apart from other programs that have only a small portion of the day in a second language. Because of this, students reach higher levels of proficiency.

In the recent Avant assessment, HWIS students were assessed to be 45% more proficient as compared to other immersion programs.

Global Competence

Our students constantly learn how to navigate our economically, socially and politically interconnected world. They investigate global issues, learn different worldviews, and are taught how to communicate and act from a global perspective.

Through exploration of a second language, interaction with our global staff and teachers, and a curriculum designed with an international perspective, students learn to understand and appreciate the world beyond their immediate environment. This understanding is enhanced through cultural presentations such as our annual Chinese New Year performances and Spanish Winter Show, and through global excursions that give students rich, immersive experiences in Chinese or Spanish-speaking parts of the world.
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Emotional Intelligence

We believe that our students’ interpersonal skills are every bit as important as their academic ones. That’s why our classes integrate the research-based Second Step curriculum for social-emotional learning (SEL). This curriculum is designed to improve students’ social-emotional skills, and focuses on a variety of topics including growth mindset, goal-setting, emotion management, kindness, empathy, and problem-solving.

Emotional intelligence skills contribute towards kids’ academic performance in multiple ways. They increase positive social behaviors, reduce conduct problems such as bullying, and build character. And, students with emotional intelligence skills contribute towards a positive classroom and school environment, bringing these skills home with them and into their future lives.

OUR PROGRAMS

Preschool

We deeply immerse our students ages 2-4 in a second language. Our two-year olds start at 100% immersion, dropping to 90% by age four. This immersion foundation ensures that our students will acquire advanced language proficiency.
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Elementary School

In elementary grades we start at 80% immersion in kindergarten, teaching all subjects primarily in the second language so our students become biliterate while developing the mental flexibility and enhanced cognitive ability that increases their proficiency. As they progress through the grades, English instruction increases incrementally, and students become equally comfortable and proficient in either language.

We are able to accept students for entry in the elementary years without prior background in the language. Students are able to successfully transition to an immersion program with supplemental support.
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Middle School

Our personalized middle school experience challenges and supports students on their journey to become global citizens.
Immersion Track - At this point, the immersion model shifts to 40% in the target language and 60% in English. Students are encouraged to thoughtfully engage in a wide range of academic areas, ranging from health and humanities to mathematics and music. Once they’re in middle school, our students also have the opportunity to participate in our global immersion experiences.

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Global Immersion Experiences

Students on their way to global citizenship should have the opportunity to explore the world they will eventually become part of. That’s why we have taken families on global experiences where we’ve visited cultural sites and interacted with locals in Beijing, Shanghai and Xian, China, as well as Marbella and Madrid, Spain.
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Bilingual Buds Playgroups

Designed for toddlers ages 18-30 months, Bilingual Buds playgroups start the exciting adventure of language acquisition in Mandarin or Spanish through adult/child playgroups with classic children’s stories. The 45 minute classes focus on storytelling, vocabulary development, movement and art centered around a story theme. Examples of past stories include “The Hungry Caterpillar”, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” and “Caps for Sale”. Sign up for the series or on a per-class basis.
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Summer Day Camp

In Mandarin and Spanish summer camp, students experience an immersive environment integrating language, science, math and art that develops their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Mandarin or Spanish. They can also enjoy activities that include soccer, tennis, ping pong, running club, and dance.
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International Summer Sleepaway Camp

HudsonWay offers a one or two week-long summer sleepaway camp for students ages 8-13 who have previous experience in their target language of Mandarin or Spanish at 220-acre camp Linwood McDonald in Northern New Jersey. This fun-filled summer adventure camp is staffed by full-time HudsonWay teachers, all of whom are native speakers and teach during the school year, and focuses on appreciation of the great outdoors, personal growth, community building and understanding other cultures. Camp is also open to international students who seek to learn English.
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After School Enrichment

Our after school language and enrichment classes include sports, Mandarin and Spanish language classes, and STEM instruction. In addition, we offer cooking, chess, Chinese dance, and robotics. We have classes for every age - from preschool to middle school - that are open both to HWIS and non-HWIS students.
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Extended Day

For parents who need to drop their children off early or pick them up late, our extended care program provides a warm and nurturing environment for our students beyond regular school hours. Children are under close supervision and will engage in a variety of activities and open play, both in the classroom and the playroom.
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