Age Requirements

By September 1, 2012, applicants for grade 5 should be ten years old, applicants for grade 6 should be eleven, and applicants for grade 7 should be twelve.

It is possible that your child has already been in one of these grades in another school but does not make the Nueva cutoff for the next grade. If a child seems more appropriately matched for a lower or higher grade, the Admissions Office will make a recommendation to the family after the school visit and activity session. We are committed to appropriate placement and would be more than happy to discuss placement during the parent/guardian interview.

Additional Requirements Post-Testing for Grades 5–7 

Activity Session

Candidates will be invited to attend a two-and-a-half hour admissions activity session with other candidates. The activity session provides an opportunity for the Admissions Committee members to spend time with your child. Children will complete writing, reading, and math samples and participate in creative interactive activities and projects. Parents have the option of attending an informational parent tea on campus during this time.

School Visit and Student Questionnaire

Candidates for 5th - 7th grade will spend one school day shadowing at Nueva in the grade they are currently in. This is to help give them a solid sense of daily life at Nueva, as well as Nueva's students, teachers, and program.

The shadow day is designed to be constructive for the candidates, who are welcome to participate in all class lessons and activities. Children should wear comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for outdoor play and bring a nut-free snack. Nueva is happy to provide lunch in the Hillside Cafeteria unless a student prefers to bring their own.

Each candidate should complete and return the student questionnaire at least 5 days before their scheduled visit day. The questionnaire will allow us to match her/him with buddies with similar interests whereever possible. Please note that it's understandable to students who are shadowing to feel a bit nervous initially. We hope it's reassuring to know that Nueva students are extremely warm and welcoming and happy to have visitors. It's often the case that candidates feel less anxious about the prospect of changing schools after they have spent a day in the company of current students.

Student Evaluations
The Independent School Common Confidential Student Evaluation Form, Grades 2-8 should be completed and mailed directly to the Admissions Office by your child’s current teacher. Completed forms should reach the office by the date of your child’s activity session or by 5pm on Friday, January 13, 2012, whichever occurs first.

Transcripts and School Records
The Official Transcript Request Form should be submitted to your child’s school. Progress reports/grades from the previous two years as well as standardized test scores should reach the Admissions Office by the date of your child’s activity session or by 5 pm, on Friday, January 13, 2012, whichever occurs first. Copies of progress reports/grades from the current fall semester should also be received by 5 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012, or as soon as they are available.

“My Page”
All middle school applicants need to complete My Page and submit their creation by 5 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012. “My Page” follows the Nueva tradition of encouraging students to develop a love of learning and follow their passions. Students should take this page as an opportunity to share something creative that they enjoy. 'My Page' could be anything from a poem they've compised, artwork of any sort - drawing, illustration, collage and so on - a piece of writing or song lyrics, or a math project. The purpose is to best capture what your child would like the Admissions Committee to know about him or her. The only preference the Admissions Office has is that the 'My Page' not be reliant on any digital program that pre-packages the outcome.

Sample of Graded/Reviewed Writing
Students should meet with a teacher and select a finished piece of writing to submit with their application by 5 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012. The piece should not be a work in progress but a finished piece from the fall semester that includes comments or a grade from a current teacher. A copy sample should be submitted as the Admissions Office is not able to return the sample.

School records may be submitted past the January 13th deadline. Please have school officials mail documents to our office. Please do not instruct them to fax documents.