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HudsonWay Immersion School - NYC Campus

United States, Stirling

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The school at a glance
Instructs in Mandarin, Spanish, English
Fees $0 - 58,700
Ages 2 - 14 years
Pupil numbers 300
Type Co-educational
Opened 2005
Bus Service No
Part of
HudsonWay Immersion School
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin, Spanish, English
Typical class size 12
Strengths STEM, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle School
Introduction

HudsonWay Immersion School operates two campuses, Midtown Manhattan (525 W 52nd St) and Stirling, NJ (249 Bebout Ave), each about 20,000 square feet. It offers full bilingual programs for ages 2 through 14, with Mandarin or Spanish immersion supported by both Singapore and American curricula integrated. Preschool immersion is 100 percent, gradually lowering to 90 percent by age four and about 80 percent in kindergarten, with English instruction increasing in later grades to balance biliteracy. Language arts and mathematics are taught in both languages using targeted curricula, while science uses FOSS Next Generation and a bilingual science fair. The program culminates in AP Chinese Language and Culture in grades 7–8 and the Global Seal of Biliteracy. Facilities include dedicated music, art, science, library, and maker spaces, plus gymnasia and playgrounds on both campuses. After-school enrichment covers language, STEM, chess, robotics, cooking, and Chinese dance, with camps in summer and breaks. Worldwide.

This campus is part of HudsonWay Immersion School

525 W 52nd St, New York, NY 10019, United States

The Essentials

HudsonWay Immersion School - NYC Campus has 300 pupils, typical class sizes of 12, instruction in Mandarin, Spanish, English.

Location
HudsonWay Immersion School operates two campuses in the New York City area: Midtown West campus at 525 W 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019, and the New Jersey campus at 249 Bebout Ave, Stirling, NJ 07980. The NYC campus is on the Upper West Side and is served by local public transit; the NJ campus sits in a suburban setting with access to parks and community facilities. The school offers immersion programs in Spanish and Mandarin for preschool through middle school.

Stages
Preschool; Elementary (Kindergarten–Grade 5); Middle School (Grades 6–8).

Type
Private day school offering Mandarin or Spanish immersion.

Additional learning support
English language support: Students are placed into a cohort of international students at a similar level of English language arts support; they are guided and assessed to maximize English proficiency.

School day structure
Preschool: Half-day 8:30am–12:00pm; Full-day 8:30am–3:30pm. Elementary (Kindergarten–Grade 5) and Middle School (Grades 6–8) run 8:30am–3:30pm. On Mondays the day ends at 3:00pm.

Bus service
Free Upper West Side bus pickup and drop-off daily for Kindergarten and up.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Day school; extended day program (before and after care) available.

Uniform Requirement
Dress code requires white, yellow or green polo shirts with khaki pants, skirts or shorts. On gym days, navy bottoms with a white t‑shirt and sneakers. Uniforms can be ordered via Lands' End (school code 900144858).

Food Options
Lunch is provided via Simply Gourmet hot lunch delivery.

Governance and Ownership
Founded in 2005 by Sharon Huang; leadership includes a Director (Elizabeth Willaum). The school operates as an independent, private immersion school with two campuses in Midtown West, NYC and Stirling, NJ.
Fees

Annual tuition at HudsonWay Immersion School - NYC Campus ranges from up to USD 58,700 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Financial aid application: a $60 fee applies to the Clarity financial aid application.

Tuition fees (2026–2027) — New York City (Midtown West campus)

- Preschool (Half day, Mon–Fri 8:30am–12:00pm): USD 34,600 per year.
- Preschool (Full day, Mon–Fri 8:30am–3:30pm): USD 49,500 per year.
- Elementary (Kindergarten through Grade 5, Mon–Fri 8:30am–3:30pm): USD 57,100 per year.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8, Mon–Fri 8:30am–3:30pm): USD 58,700 per year.

Tuition fees (2026–2027) — Stirling, New Jersey campus

- Preschool (Half day, Mon–Fri 8:30am–12:00pm): USD 18,600 per year.
- Preschool (Full day, Mon–Fri 8:30am–3:30pm): USD 23,100 per year.
- Preschool (Full day Mon/Wed/Fri 3 days): USD 18,600 per year.
- Elementary (Kindergarten through Grade 5, Mon–Fri 8:30am–3:30pm): USD 29,990 per year.
- Middle School (Grades 6–8, Mon–Fri 8:30am–3:30pm): USD 32,000 per year.

Optional/ancillary care fees (annual and drop‑in where shown)

- NYC campus before care (7:30am–8:20am): USD 1,250 annual; drop‑in USD 15/day.
- NYC campus after care (3:30pm–6:00pm): USD 4,700 annual; drop‑in USD 40/day.
- NJ campus before care (7:30am–8:20am): USD 1,350 annual; drop‑in USD 15/day.
- NJ campus after care (3:30pm–6:00pm): USD 3,100 annual; drop‑in USD 35/day.
- Additional optional costs not included in tuition: optional lunch, New Jersey bus transportation, after‑school enrichment, extended care, and parent association dues.

Other mandatory or common fees

- NJ Book/Technology fee (applies to K–8): Kindergarten and Grade 1: USD 650; Grade 2 and above: USD 750.
- Veracross enrollment/administration fee for payment plans: USD 30 for one‑ or two‑payment families; USD 40 for monthly payment families.

Billing schedule and payment terms (2026–2027 academic year)

- Deposit: 10% of tuition is required upon enrollment.
- Payment plan options after deposit:
- Plan A — One payment: 100% of tuition paid by May (early‑pay discount applies).
- Plan B — Two payments: 50% due on or before June; remaining 50% due on or before January.
- Plan C — Nine equal monthly payments starting in August with final payment in April.
- Early‑pay discount: a 3% discount is applied for payment in full by the stated May deadline.
- Sibling discounts: 5% for the second child and 10% for the third (or more) children on the lesser tuition.

Fee payment options and transaction fees

- Payment methods accepted and fee handling:
- Check or debit to a checking account: amounts shown reflect a 2.94% "cash" discount (3.04% for Amex or JCB) when paying by these methods; paying by other methods does not receive that discount.
- Credit card payments are accepted but incur additional processing fees; an additional percentage (reported as 2.94% or 3.04% for Amex/JCB) plus a USD 0.30 transaction fee applies to credit card transactions.
- Paying by credit card will therefore increase the payment amount to cover processing fees.

Boarding fees

- Boarding: not applicable. HudsonWay operates two day‑school campuses (Midtown West, NYC and Stirling, NJ) and does not publish a student boarding program or boarding fees.

Other costs commonly charged for programs and activities

- After‑school enrichment classes and clubs: fees vary by program; some enrichment product listings specify their own refund/payment rules (for example, some enrichment classes note no refund for absences).
- Summer camp (sleepaway/international camp) and day camps have separate pricing and registration policies; stated camp cancellation/refund terms (camp registration policies) apply to those programs.

Refund information (where published for specific program types)

- Tuition/enrollment: specific, detailed published tuition refund terms for enrollment deposits or annual tuition are not provided in the general tuition pages; enrollment and billing are governed by the school's enrollment/payment agreement.
- Summer camp cancellation policy: full refund is available for cancellations made prior to May 1, less a USD 100 processing fee, under the camp registration terms.
- Enrichment classes: some enrichment program listings state that there is no refund for missed sessions/absences; individual program pages list their specific refund rules.

Summary of the most important actionable items for parents

- Expect a 10% enrollment deposit when you accept an offer. Detailed payment schedules (one‑time, two‑payment, or monthly plans) follow the deposit requirement; early‑pay and sibling discounts are available and administrative fees apply for certain payment plans.
- Budget separately for book/technology fees (NJ K–8), optional lunch, bus (NJ), after‑school enrichment, extended care, and parent association dues; these are not covered by base tuition.
- Credit card payments incur processing percentages and a USD 0.30 transaction fee; paying by check or debit to a checking account provides the lower amount reflected in published tuition figures.
Academics

HudsonWay Immersion School - NYC Campus teaches American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum, Singapore Curriculum for students aged 2 to 14.

Curriculum
HudsonWay Immersion School offers full immersion programs in Spanish or Mandarin for students from ages 2 through grade 8, with almost all instruction in the second language starting in preschool and transitioning to 50/50 by the 4th grade. The curriculum is designed to develop biliteracy by teaching academic subjects in a second language and to build global competence and emotional intelligence. Preschool immersion runs at 100% for 2-year-olds and 90% by age four, establishing an advanced language foundation by kindergarten. In elementary, immersion begins at 80% in kindergarten, with English instruction increasing across grades so students become biliterate and proficient in both languages. Language arts and mathematics are taught in both languages using targeted curricula (Fundations; Better Immersion/Level Chinese; Senderos/Level Learning; Math in Focus), and science uses FOSS Next Generation with a bilingual science fair. AP Chinese Language and Culture is offered in Grade 7 or 8, enabling students to earn the Global Seal of Biliteracy. The program integrates global experiences and arts and emphasizes social-emotional development through the Step curriculum.

Student Teacher Ratio
Preschool ratios: 6:1 for 2s, 8:1 for 3s, 9:1 for 4s; Elementary class size is about 12 students.

Exam Results
In assessments, HWIS students significantly outperform independent school norms; 90% are accepted to their first-choice middle or high school.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides a supportive, fully immersive learning environment in Spanish or Mandarin. Students become biliterate and emotionally intelligent as they advance from preschool through middle school. Starting in preschool, almost all instruction is in the second language, with a gradual transition to 50/50 by the 4th grade. Two-year-olds start at 100% immersion, dropping to 90% by age four to support language and social-emotional development. Second Step is used to help teachers and students address social-emotional development, teaching self-regulation and problem-solving. Our community includes attentive teachers, differentiated instruction, and small class sizes that support social-emotional growth.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Immersion programs are offered in Spanish and Mandarin. International students can maintain their native language (Mandarin or Spanish) and use that knowledge to scaffold and accelerate learning of English. Students are placed into a cohort of international students at a similar level of English-language arts support and are guided and assessed to maximize their English proficiency. The admissions process requires demonstration of English proficiency via TOEFL/TOEFL Jr or Duolingo. Language immersion promotes biliteracy, as students learn content in a second language and English.

Mental Wellbeing
The school emphasizes social-emotional learning and emotional intelligence in its immersion environment. In Preschool, social-emotional development is supported through Second Step, with teachers and students equipped with tools to self-regulate. The program aims to support overall well-being and mental health as foundational for success. Emotional well-being resources for families and students are provided, including links from external organizations (e.g., NJ Department of Education Emotional Wellness Guide for Families and Students; UNICEF guidance). Global competence and cross-cultural experiences contribute to emotional wellbeing within a diverse, inclusive community.

Safeguarding
Health and safety measures for COVID-19 are in place. Parents are asked to pick up within one hour of notification and to have the child PCR tested, returning only after a negative result. If allergy symptoms appear, the child may remain in school with physician documentation. Parents must notify the school if a child tests positive to trigger quarantine and tracing procedures. Emotional well-being resources for families and students are provided. The Privacy Policy describes data practices to protect safety.
Parent Experience

History
HudsonWay Immersion School began in 2005 as Bilingual Buds in the basement of founder Sharon Huang's home with five students and one teacher. It relocated to St. Mary's Church in Livingston, NJ in 2006, then moved to Summit, NJ in 2007. The school added a Spanish immersion program in 2009 and opened a New York City campus in 2010 at 175 Riverside Boulevard offering Mandarin immersion. Bilingual Buds rebranded as HudsonWay Immersion School in 2014, expanding to elementary grades and later to middle school; the school earned Middle States Accreditation in 2020 and celebrated its first eighth-grade graduation in 2022, including the first Mandarin and Spanish AP tests. HudsonWay celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025 and operates across two campuses serving preschool through middle school.

Community
The HWIS community is international, diverse, and closely connected, comprising leaders, staff, parents, alumni and students. As a small independent school, HWIS fosters community through events such as the Autumn Moon picnic, Spanish Winter Show, Lunar New Year Show, and the Arts Festival. The parent association is welcoming and vibrant, organizing fall farm visits, a parents' night out at a comedy club, and ice cream socials, and supporting the school with events such as the annual gala auction. Communications with families are coordinated through Veracross.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The HudsonWay Immersion School Parents Association (HWISPA) represents the diverse parent community and promotes a sense of community, supports the administration, and enriches the student experience through events, activities, and fundraising campaigns. HWISPA's mission includes representing parents, promoting a sense of community, supporting the school in creating an outstanding learning environment, and enriching student life through activities and fundraising campaigns. HWISPA undertakes ongoing fundraising to provide technology support in classrooms, purchase more books for the library, and support teachers. All parents and guardians of HWIS students are welcome to join HWISPA, with NY and NJ contacts, and opportunities to serve as officers or volunteers.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
HudsonWay Immersion School operates on two campuses: Midtown, NYC and Stirling, NJ, each with about 20,000 square feet of space. The NYC Campus has 17 classrooms on the main floor, and the lower floor houses music, art/maker space, gym, science, library and teaching kitchen. The NJ Campus features 17 large, bright classrooms with direct access to the outdoor playground, a private playground and a sports field, a large regulation-size indoor gym, and kitchen and cafeteria facilities. The facilities provide space for arts, sciences, physical education and language immersion activities.

Sports Facilities
The NJ Campus has a private playground and sports field and a large regulation-size indoor gym. The NYC Campus includes an indoor preschool gym on the main floor and a gym on the lower floor. Both campuses provide spaces for physical education and indoor activities across the school.

Academic Facilities
The NYC Campus on the main floor has 17 classrooms, while the lower floor includes music, art/maker space, gym, science, library and teaching kitchen. The NJ Campus provides 17 large, bright classrooms with doors opening to the outdoor playground. The facilities include dedicated spaces for music, science, library and maker activities and a teaching kitchen, supporting a comprehensive on-site academic program. The two campuses together offer diverse environments for creativity, inquiry and collaboration.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Afterschool Enrichment NY includes HWIS Tutoring Program (K-8) and Private Piano Registrations. Afterschool Enrichment NJ offers similar after-school options. Spring Break Camp – NJ, Summer Day Camp and International Summer Sleepaway Camp are also available as additional off-site or extended programming.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers after-school language & enrichment classes in Mandarin and Spanish, as well as STEM and chess. Robotics is a new enrichment offering. There is a class for every age—preschool, elementary, and middle school. Class duration varies by subject, and these classes are open to HWIS and non-HWIS students.

Arts & Creative
The school offers new enrichment options in cooking and Chinese dance. There is a class for every age—preschool, elementary, and middle school. Class duration varies by subject. These classes are open to HWIS and non-HWIS students.

Cultural & Language
The school offers Mandarin and Spanish language programs as after-school enrichment. There is a class for every age—preschool, elementary, and middle school. Class duration varies by subject. These language classes are open to HWIS and non-HWIS students.

Social & Hobbies
The school provides after-school enrichment that includes sports and chess. New offerings include robotics, cooking, and Chinese dance. There is a class for every age—preschool, elementary, and middle school. Class duration varies by subject.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The school offers after-school sports. There is a class for every age—preschool, elementary, and middle school. Class duration varies by subject.
Languages

Language Provision
Mandarin and Spanish are the immersion languages taught. The school serves preschool through middle school (ages 2 through grade 8). Singapore Math is used for math, and the language arts curriculum develops reading and writing in two languages. Language support includes Bilingual Buds Playgroups for toddlers (Mandarin or Spanish) and after-school language enrichment.

Bilingual Teaching
The school offers bilingual immersion in Mandarin and Spanish for preschool through middle school. Preschool (ages 2-4) begins with 100% immersion for two-year-olds and drops to 90% by age four; kindergarten starts at about 80% immersion, with English increasing in upper grades. In middle school, the immersion track is 40% in the target language and 60% in English. There are two middle school pathways: Immersion Cohort for students who started immersion before grade 2, and Accelerated Bilingual Cohort (ABC) for students with little or no prior language background; the Immersion Cohort aims for AP-level proficiency and the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Mandarin or Spanish.

Immersion Programs
HWIS uses Full Language Immersion, teaching nearly all subjects in the second language, with English increasing in upper grades. The programs span preschool, elementary, and middle school, with Mandarin or Spanish immersion options. In elementary, 80% immersion starts in kindergarten, and by middle school the model shifts to 40% in the second language and 60% in English. The Immersion Cohort and Accelerated Bilingual Cohort (ABC) are two middle school pathways; Immersion Cohort focuses on biliteracy with AP-level proficiency and the Global Seal of Biliteracy in Mandarin or Spanish.
Reputation

Awards
Global Seal of Biliteracy (earned by HWIS students who take AP Chinese Language & Culture or AP Spanish & Culture).

Accreditations
Middle States Accreditation - full accreditation for NY and NJ campuses. The school is a member of CELIN (Chinese Early Language Immersion Network) and participates in related collaborations; SEVIS-approval to issue I-20 visas for international students; ERB and College Board partnerships are in place for assessments and AP exams; Level Learning supports Mandarin/Spanish reading progress tracking.
Admissions

Admissions
Visit HWIS by attending an open house or scheduling an in person tour. This gives you the opportunity to learn about the program, ask questions, and determine fit for your family. The visit helps families understand the immersion approach and the classroom environment. The admissions process begins with this visit. Submit an application through the NY or NJ application portals. The application process is the same for both campuses and requires the requested information. After submitting, families advance to the student visit and parent interview. The admissions portal also outlines any required supplemental materials. There are required supplemental documents such as transcripts, teacher recommendations, and relevant assessments. A checklist of required documents is provided in the admissions portal. These materials help HudsonWay better understand the student's academic background and learning needs. Submitting these materials completes the application. Once all required materials are received and the process is complete, families are notified of admissions decisions by late February to early March. Rolling admissions occur after the deadline, space permitting. If more information is needed, the school will reach out to families.

Scholarships
HWIS Founders Scholarship is a merit based scholarship for incoming Grade 4 and 5 students, available to both immersion students and those new to language immersion. There are two tracks for incoming students, Immersion Cohort and Accelerated Bilingual Cohort. Scholarships, in combination with financial aid, may support up to 60 percent of tuition and scholarship applicants benefit from an application fee waiver. The program also includes the NJ Scholarship Program for Grades 4-5.
School Events
The school has not added events
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