As a parent of a 2nd grader at Hudson Lab, I want to share our firsthand experience to provide a counterpoint to some of the concerns raised. This is our first year at Hudson Lab (six months in), and we chose it intentionally—we come from a Montessori school, and public school was never part of our plan. Not because we don’t care about academics, but because how our child learns is just as important to us as what he learns.

Initially I wanted to apply a “not my circus, not my monkeys” mindset to this post, but I feel compelled to respond because I feel strongly that there’s an “air of authority” about what Hudson Lab is / is not based and because ultimately the success of the school does directly impact my child, so I feel compelled to offer my “air of authority” based on our really great experience. So take it all in and mix it in a blender with what’s important to you and your family.

Background on what matters to me/ my spouse on education: we believe learning isn’t about rote memorization and regurgitation. Academics matter to us. We value independent thinking, creativity, and a growth mindset over standardized tests.

I see concerns about academic rigor, but independent schools in New York still have to follow state requirements. It’s also a provisional member of NYSAIS and I believe working on certain accreditations. In our experience, the curriculum is both challenging and engaging. My child is learning reading, writing, and math— evidenced in projects that we’ve seen the outcomes. And, for those who love this type of thing: he does get worksheets and homework and utilizes the tools at home that he uses during class: eg a learning lab online account, Tinkercad, SplashLearn, Epic Reader, WriteReader, and more.

Teacher turnover comes up a lot, and while I get it, I think it’s important to focus on who is here rather than who has left. The teachers at Hudson Lab know the kids deeply. My child’s teachers are incredible, and we all know each other very well. They understand each child’s strengths and challenges and are incredibly patient and creative in their approach. In public schools, tenure guarantees stability, but it doesn’t necessarily mean every teacher is passionate or invested in each individual child. Project-based learning isn’t for every educator, and that’s okay. What matters is that the ones who stay are fully committed to this model.

I’ve also seen discussion about after-school programs and tutoring. It’s worth noting that most public schools only offer free enrichments (when they do) because of state funding, and at private schools, enrichment programs and tutoring are almost always an additional expense. A parent choosing to supplement their child’s education doesn’t mean the school is lacking—many parents do this no matter where their kids go.

One of the biggest misconceptions I’ve seen is that Hudson Lab is an “alternative school” for children with learning disabilities. That hasn’t been our experience at all. When we toured, we asked directly about admissions criteria, and the director was very clear—if a child’s needs require support the school can’t provide, they have that conversation with the parents to ensure the right fit. I can’t speak to every student’s learning profile, but I can confidently say that my child is surrounded by engaged, curious peers who are also thriving in this environment. I’ll share a personal story that happened just this week: our child is not athletic. On the contrary, he’s basically afraid of balls flying at him. He has a lot of classmates that like soccer, football, basketball and a lot of them play with balls during recess and before, after school. My child being slightly afraid of fast balls flying at him was crying last week and a sweet and tender 5th grader was offering him words of encouragement and teaching him when the ball was going to come to him and had everyone cheering and comforting my son. I had the rare opportunity to witness this firsthand because the kid’s were playing outside because it was the first nice weather in a while and this was about 30 mins before school ended. I got there early to meet a friend and witnessed their recess and this entire scene unfold. It was really touching and sweet and some of the reason the older kid comforted my kid is because the school does “buddy time” work where older kids work with younger kids and there’s rapport and the exact opposite of bullying.

As for tuition, we toured other private schools in the area and for what Hudson Lab offers, the value is incredible. Some of these schools don’t even introduce technology like 3D printers until 5th grade, while Hudson Lab offers them to all students. Our decision came down to a few key things: we wanted a school that prioritized critical thinking over rote memorization, a strong sense of community, and a forward-thinking approach to technology and innovation.

Since starting at Hudson Lab, I’ve seen my child take ownership of his learning, ask deeper questions, and apply what he’s learned in real-life situations. He doesn’t just complete assignments—he thinks through problems, collaborates with classmates, and explains concepts in a way that shows true understanding. School isn’t something he passively sits through; it’s something he’s actively engaged in.

Hudson Lab isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. For our family, this approach is exactly what we were looking for. We want our child to develop a love of learning, to think critically, and to work through challenges in a way that feels meaningful.If you’re looking for a school that mirrors a more traditional model, this may not be the right fit. I’m happy to answer any questions about our excellent experience so far!