Visit and Apply to the Upper School (Grades 9–12)

Applications for the 2023-2024 school year are now closed. We look forward to connecting in the fall about the next admissions season.

Thank you for your interest in Nueva! Through Ravenna Solutions, our online admissions system, you can sign up for events, fill out and submit application components, and monitor your application status. Don’t worry—by creating a profile for your student, you are not yet committing to apply, and you will gain access to explore all of our events.

Start by clicking the "Apply Online" button below.

APPLY ONLINE

How to Explore and Visit Nueva

Explore Nueva virtually!
- Through virtual tours, videos, and firsthand testimonials from community members, you will experience the joy of learning in a Nueva classroom.
Program Previews
- Our campus Program Previews are for families interested in applying for the 2023–2024 school year. Applicants participate in mini-lessons while parents learn about our curriculum and programs. The event concludes with a student panel, which will provide your family with additional insight into our Nueva classrooms and community.
- Registration for the optional Program Preview is required through Ravenna.
Optional campus tour
- Get a glimpse of our community in action! Join one of our student ambassadors on a tour of our upper school campus. Families can register on Ravenna for this optional visit only after Part I of the application is submitted.
Optional events (all grades)
- We invite prospective families to register for optional admissions events to learn about the Nueva community. We offer workshops and panels covering topics such as diversity at Nueva, life after Nueva, and financial assistance. Check your Ravenna dashboard for updates and more information.

Inquire Online

In This Section

Application Process

Application and Supplemental Materials Deadline: January 12, 2023

Click on each step for more details.

Inquire and create a Ravenna account

Submit Part I of the application and the nonrefundable application fee of $90

Submit timed writing sample

Applicants are required to submit an ungraded, timed writing sample administered virtually by an independent third-party group, Test Innovators. They may complete this requirement on various dates this fall. Results must be submitted to Nueva by the application deadline, January 12, 2023.

Registration for the timed writing sample is through Test Innovators, not Ravenna. On the day of the writing sample, students join a Zoom room and receive an essay prompt from a live proctor. They will have 30 minutes to plan, write, and submit an essay on the topic.

This application requirement is shared by the following Bay Area independent schools: Castilleja, Crystal Springs Upland, Episcopal Day School, Menlo School, The Nueva School, Sacred Heart Schools, Silicon Valley International School, The Girls’ Middle School, and Woodside Priory. Applicants applying to more than one of these participating schools will sit for and submit only one timed writing sample. They may not re-take this timed writing sample.

Students who receive test accommodations at their school may contact Test Innovators directly to make arrangements.

The timed writing sample fee is $40. If this fee is a hardship, please email admissions@nuevaschool.org to request a fee waiver.

Submit Part II of the application

Register for My Nueva Day and a virtual parent/guardian interview

These events can be scheduled only after Part II of the application has been submitted.

My Nueva Day
Optional Virtual Parent/Guardian Interview

My Nueva Day

At Nueva, we’ve reimagined the applicant visit and interview. Spend time on our campus and participate in a collaborative, hands-on activity led by Nueva faculty. Afterwards, applicants will be in conversation with Nueva faculty/staff and other applicants.

My Nueva Day may be scheduled only after Part II has been submitted, and the event is for applicants only. This is a required event.

Optional Virtual Parent/Guardian Interview

The virtual parent/guardian interview is not required. If you choose to interview, you will meet with a member of our community, be able to ask questions, and allow us to learn more about your child. Interviews typically range from 20 to 30 minutes. Parents who submit Part II by November 15 are guaranteed an interview. After November 15, interviews will continue to be scheduled as space is available. Applicants are not at a disadvantage if parents/guardians do not schedule an interview.

In an effort to make this process welcoming and accessible, if you're interested in having this conversation in your home language, please email us at admissions@nuevaschool.org. We will do our best to accommodate your request.

Submit Part III of the application: Applicant questionnaire and My Page

Submit required supplemental materials

Student Evaluation Forms are completed and submitted to Nueva directly by the applicant's school.

Confidential current principal or counselor recommendation form
Confidential current English teacher recommendation form
Confidential current math teacher recommendation form
Transcript release form and transcripts: We require the previous year's (2021–2022) progress reports/grades, standardized test scores (that are a part of a student’s cumulative file), and current grades when they become available (usually late January). All materials should be uploaded to Ravenna by the student’s current school, not the parents.

Please note: Nueva considers only required application materials and evaluations, so we respectfully request no additional documents be submitted on behalf of a student or their family.

Important Note:

Entrance testing is not required and not accepted

Nueva does not require nor accept the ISEE/SSAT exam results as part of the application process.
IQ testing is also not required for admission to the Upper School. However, previous IQ assessments and/or test scores may be submitted to our office via email at admissions@nuevaschool.org. If submitted, these documents will be reviewed only if a more clear picture of the applicant’s learning profile would be helpful to the reading committee.

The Admissions Office appreciates and is always delighted to receive applications well in advance of the deadline! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call 650-350-4528, or email admissions@nuevaschool.org.

Si necesita ayuda en español, comuníquese con Lupe Ruiz, asociada de admisiones, lruiz@nuevaschool.org o llame al 650-350-4524.

Apply for Financial Assistance

Nueva uses the School and Student Services (SSS) platform to process all applications for tuition financial assistance. The Parents’ Financial Statement is due January 12, 2023. The supplemental documents for Financial Assistance are due February 3, 2023.

Find out more about Nueva's middle school

Upper School Admissions Contacts

Taryn Grogan
Director of Enrollment and Strategic Engagement
650-350-4525
Email Taryn

Melanie León
Director of Admissions
650-235-7111
Email Melanie

Elise Maar
Associate Director of Admissions, US
650-235-7199
Email Elise

Emily Fedor
Admissions Associate, US
650-235-7119
Email Emily

Visit and Apply to the Upper School (Grades 9–12)

Program Previews

Optional campus tour

Optional events (all grades)

Important Note:

Find out more about Nueva's middle school