Writing &
Research Center

FPO

Welcome to the San Mateo Campus Writing & Research Center

As the name suggests, this Upper School learning hub emphasizes the practices of writing and research, as well as providing thoughtfully curated fiction, nonfiction, and reference collections. We empower students to be strong, discerning researchers in any post-secondary context, and we help every student develop a clear, confident writing voice. More broadly, the WRC nourishes our community’s culture of curiosity. Our friendly, two-story space welcomes students with comfortable places to read, study, or collaborate with their classmates.

Research Skills and Resources

The world of research opens up to our students as they embark on their interdisciplinary studies at the Upper School. Our research librarian works closely with faculty to build our collections of digital and print resources, ensuring our students have both broad and deep access to the information they need. While creating a library for our students and faculty, our staff selects resources focused on the division’s specific curricula and special projects. These options include:

  • Nonfiction and reference materials, including specialized encyclopedias, primary and secondary sources, magazines, and newspapers

  • On- and off-campus access to 20 academic databases, offering thousands of articles from scholarly journals, as well as court cases, historical documents, and more

  • Access to e-books and audiobooks via OverDrive

Our librarian joins classes to coach students in research skills and also works extensively with students in one-on-one meetings during their course projects, guiding them in research strategies, source evaluation, and citation.

Writing Support

Individualized coaching is a signature of the WRC’s writing program. Students can meet one-on-one with a writing specialist at any stage of their writing to review their ideas and drafts for any academic or creative project.

Whether reviewing a research paper, a piece of fiction, or a college application essay, students consider both the work at hand and their overall writing process. With their coaches, students strengthen their writing’s clarity, argument, and structure; refine their tone and voice; and learn new techniques to match their writing needs. Our writing specialists also offer in-classroom student workshops and consultations to faculty.

Peer Tutoring

The WRC hosts the Upper School’s peer-tutoring program, an initiative that exemplifies Nueva’s culture of collaborative learning.

Students apply to train as peer tutors; then selected applicants spend several weeks discussing and practicing their coaching skills before offering one-on-one appointments with their fellow students. The program began with student support in math and writing, and now also offers help in Mandarin and computer science. Students from any Upper School grade can book a session with a peer tutor.

This type of academic support supplements the work a student may do with their teachers and the WRC staff — students may feel more comfortable talking with a fellow student. Peer tutors, meanwhile, pick up new coaching techniques, which often dovetail with their SEL skills, and gain experience with different learning styles. Throughout the academic year, peer tutors have regular check-ins to discuss their practice.

 

Special Programs and Events

We regularly participate in local and national events that promote our culture of reading. Examples of past programs include:

  • Wikipedia Edit-a-thon
  • Poetry readings
  • Creative writing during National Novel Writing Month in connection with NaNoWriMo
  • Banned Books Week in cooperation with the American Library Association
  • Author visits
  • Summer reading 

Nueva News

Sixth grade student displays her favorite word on a whiteboard

Over the course of the year, sixth graders dissect the etymology of words and closely examine word choice in the texts they read and the writing they produce. Their writing teachers asked them to share their favorite words in this short video. What's your favorite word?

Members of Nueva's operations and kitchen staff

Lower School students explore the true meaning of community by meeting the people of Nueva who work beyond the classroom. At the same time, they learn the tenants of being kind, courageous, and engaged.

Elizabeth Rossini, Director of Teaching and Learning, speaks to faculty.

Elizabeth Rossini, Director of Teaching and Learning, talks about one aspect of how we approach curriculum at Nueva: leveraging the power of using the same questions across grades and disciplines to deepen student learning.

The Voorhis family

Grace Voorhis, parent, former board member, and champion of Nueva's mission and values, shares her thoughts on the "Five things I wish I knew about Nueva when I joined the community."

agar art project

A violinist on the European concert circuit! Student work celebrated by the scientific community! A debate team on fire! Our new monthly roundup celebrates exceptional student and faculty accomplishments beyond Nueva's walls.

Assembly at Nueva.

It's a challenge for any school to showcase what is happening in the next room, let alone at other grade levels and divisions. Assembly is designed to open the doors to the many classrooms on our Hillsborough campus and allow conversations to flourish between students, faculty, and staff.

Writing & Research Center Team