Ready for what comes next.
Eighth grade at The Hudson School is the culmination of the middle school experience—a year of advanced coursework, real leadership, and the intellectual and personal confidence students need to thrive in Upper School and beyond.
Complex literature, advanced math—high school level.
Language Arts challenges students to analyze complex literature through critical lenses—dystopian fiction by Ishiguro, Bradbury, and Collins; satire by Wilde and Voltaire; and short stories by LeGuin, Vonnegut, and Carver—while also cultivating individual creative voices through weekly 1,000-word minimum original writing, peer feedback, and collaborative fiction development. Algebra 1 covers algebraic axioms, linear and quadratic equations, systems of equations, factoring, the quadratic formula, and extensive work with fractions, exponents, and radicals—a full high school–level course. Coordinator: Michael Pauloski.
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From Jamestown to biology—citizens and scientists.
American History examines the full breadth of U.S. history from Jamestown to the present through in-class simulations, primary source analysis, current events discussions, and the Tri-State Model Congress competition in May—where students draft and debate original legislation alongside delegates from other schools. Life Science (Biology) explores what it means to have “life,” from cell structure and genetics to evolution, microbiology, and human biology, integrating physics, chemistry, and ecology throughout.
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Technical mastery and creative ambition.
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American Art History
Students undertake a comprehensive study of American art history and movements, developing technical fluency in tempera, acrylics, pastels, and mixed media alongside advanced drawing, painting, collage, and three-dimensional techniques.
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Tri-State Model Congress
8th graders draft original legislation, master parliamentary procedure, and compete in a spring Model Congress—developing public speaking, debate, critical thinking, and civic engagement skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
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Weekly Original Fiction
A 1,000-word weekly writing requirement and peer-review workshops give students the discipline, creative confidence, and editorial skill to develop genuine authorial voices before they reach high school.
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Full Algebra 1 Completion
Eighth graders complete a rigorous high school–level algebra course—covering linear, quadratic, and rational expressions; systems of equations; and the quadratic formula—placing them on a strong mathematical footing for Upper School.
Ready to see 8th grade at Hudson?
Schedule a visit and see how our faculty prepare students to enter Upper School with the academic confidence, creative depth, and personal integrity to lead.
Schedule a Visit