Middle
School

Middle School at Nueva—grades 5 through 8—is a dynamic and formative time marked by discovery, self-awareness, and connection. Here, Middle School isn’t just about preparing students for their futures—it’s about students becoming curious, compassionate learners ready to make an impact.

With opportunities for deep inquiry, engaging clubs and activities, and grade-level advisories that build community, students are both challenged and nurtured. As students begin to find their voice and explore their place in the world, they are supported by a rich program of interdisciplinary academics, hands-on projects, meaningful travel, and vibrant electives, helping them to expand their understanding of themselves and their role within a broader community.

Projects are explored through open-ended, essential questions:

How might the world sustainably feed itself by 2050?
What are the ways we come to understand the world? What constitutes evidence?
How do we determine objectivity and subjectivity?
What is justice and how does a community uphold it?

Sample Schedule

Course Catalog

When you come onto campus, you can feel a vibration: students are abuzz with excitement. They can't wait to interact with their peers, and they rush into the classrooms to see what they'll be working on that day. Students love finding the nooks and crannies on campus to play games, chat with friends, and enjoy our outdoor spaces. It is such a joy to see how enthusiastic our students are to be here.

— Karen Tiegel, Lower School Division Head

Distinctive Elements of the Nueva Middle School

The Nueva Way at the Middle School

At the Middle School, the Nueva Way—a dynamic, constructivist, and project-based approach—engages students in solving real-world, meaningful challenges. This hands-on model keeps learning relevant and encourages students to dive deeply into ideas that spark their curiosity. Teachers collaborate across disciplines to design rigorous, thought-provoking experiences that fuel students' passion for learning.

Learning is intentionally interdisciplinary, allowing students to explore connections across subjects and think in integrated, complex ways. Students have the freedom to shape their own projects and choose how to demonstrate their understanding—whether through writing, building, performing, or presenting. Rather than taking traditional final exams, students showcase their growth at culminating events throughout the year, sharing their work with peers, teachers, and the wider Nueva community. Faculty continually refine projects in response to student interests, ensuring learning remains intentional and purposeful.

In Their Words

On their final day as Middle School students, eighth graders are honored and celebrated before family and friends in a beloved Nueva tradition that spans decades. A highlight of this ceremony is the 100-word speeches—each student’s reflection on their time at Nueva. Crafting these tightly distilled testaments is no simple task, but one that generations of eighth graders have embraced with thoughtfulness, creativity, and heart. What follows are excerpts from three of those speeches.

During my time in Nueva, I’ve fallen down multiple times. My ability to get back up and learn from these mistakes has been developed by Nueva’s focus on “learning by doing.” Everyone makes mistake, but Nueva’s taught me the importance of revising research in humanities, editing in writing, checking in during math, and so much more all by doing. The ability to make my mistakes a learning opportunity makes them all worthwhile.

— Alvin Y. ’26

I remember the very first speech I gave at Nueva—it was for sixth grade student council. I was so nervous, but I decided to take a risk. Little did I know that throughout the rest of my middle school experience, there would be countless more opportunities for me to push myself and grow as a speaker, risk-taker, and person. Nueva has always been a home where I am free to be me, empowered by inspiring teachers and the best of friends.”

— Taryn H. ’27

My time at Nueva has taught me many things, like how to graph trig functions or how to conjugate Spanish verbs in the imperfect. But the most important lesson is not tangible. Nueva has taught me the value of community and peers, peers who support, listen, understand, and laugh with you. This is what true community is—facing challenges together, growing together, and learning by doing, together.

— Jason R. ’29

Nurturing Growth Through the Middle School Years

Middle School is a pivotal stage in a student’s development—a time of immense growth, self-discovery, and change. At Nueva, we recognize that young adolescents thrive when they feel seen, supported, and connected. We intentionally foster a sense of belonging, encouraging students to build meaningful relationships with both peers and adults, while practicing empathy, kindness, and care for others. Within this nurturing environment, students gain the confidence to explore new interests and pursue their passions.

A robust advisory program anchors the Middle School experience, offering a consistent space for students to reflect, grow, and connect. Each small advisory group is led by a faculty member who serves as both mentor and advocate, guiding students through academic and personal challenges. Weekly advisory meetings and shared experiences—such as overnight trips and Community Service Learning—build trust, strengthen bonds, and reinforce the values of community and collaboration. Additionally, dedicated time for grade-level gatherings fosters unity and shared purpose across the broader Middle School.

As students move from childhood into adolescence, our social-emotional learning (SEL) program plays a critical role in helping them navigate this transition. Designed to support both growing independence and emerging self-awareness, Middle School SEL balances structure with space for exploration. With guidance from SEL specialists and faculty, students are encouraged to reflect on their thoughts, choices, and relationships—developing essential skills in self-regulation, perspective-taking, and resilience as they mature into thoughtful, confident learners.

One-to-One Laptop Program

All Middle School students receive a laptop when they join Nueva to use throughout their middle school years. Many academic opportunities open up when students have their own device: creating longer written pieces, conducting deeper research, and advocating for themselves with teachers.

Developing healthy technology habits is a collaborative effort between school and home. Nueva actively supports students through a comprehensive Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program that teaches ethical online behavior, self-regulation, good citizenship, kindness both online and offline, and thoughtful digital communication.

In the 2024–2025 school year, the Middle School launched Tech-free(ish) Fridays, during which teachers create lessons that don't require laptops, allowing students to leave devices at home. The goal is to encourage face-to-face interactions and build community.

Learn more about Tech-free(ish) Fridays.

7th Grade Drama Conservatory

Each year, seventh graders participate in the Drama Conservatory. Beginning in February, students work twice weekly with professional actors and directors from around the Bay Area, focusing on developing core theatrical skills such as character analysis, stage combat, and improvisation. Following this intensive training, students split into groups to explore various productions, ranging from improvisational performances and Shakespearean scenes to contemporary and classic works, which they then present to the Nueva community.

The drama program culminates in a May trip to Los Angeles, where students further deepen their artistic engagement through specialized drama classes, museum visits, and live theater performances. Simultaneously, their humanities courses complement this exploration by examining how the arts and culture have shaped Los Angeles into a global city. This holistic approach provides students with a comprehensive understanding of drama and its significant role in cultural expression and societal growth.

Isabella Yalif ’23

“I came to Nueva because I love to learn.”

Projects are explored through open-ended, essential questions:

Distinctive Elements of the Nueva Middle School

The Nueva Way at the Middle School

Nurturing Growth Through the Middle School Years

One-to-One Laptop Program

7th Grade Drama Conservatory