Pre-kindergarten

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Thank you for your interest in Nueva! Through Ravenna, our online admissions system, you can sign up for events, complete and submit application materials, and track your application status. Creating a profile for your child does not commit you to applying — it simply gives you access to explore our events.

To begin the application process, click the button below.

Inquire Online

PreK Application Checklist

Lower School Program Overview

Age Requirements to Apply for Pre-Kindergarten at Nueva
(enrolling Fall 2027)

Our pre-kindergarten admissions process is split into two rounds. A portion of the class is offered enrollment in early March (Round I), with the remainder notified in late March (Round II). Students who receive wait pool letters in Round I will be reconsidered during Round II.

Visit our FAQ page for more details about age eligibility for all grade levels (PreK-10).

4 years old by January 5, 2027

Children who meet this age requirement are eligible to apply during Round I of the pre-kindergarten admissions process.
All application materials must be submitted by January 5, 2027.
Students who receive wait pool letters in Round I will be reconsidered during Round II of the pre-kindergarten admissions process.

4 years old on or after January 6 through March 5, 2027

While it is preferred that children be 4 years old when assessed, when possible, the minimum age for a child to sit for the WPPSI-IV (IQ assessment) is 3 years and 10 months. If your child takes the IQ assessment by January 5, 2027 and before they are 4 years old, we will consider them during Round I of the pre-kindergarten admissions process.
Assessment results and all admissions materials are due January 5, 2027.
- Alternatively, you can choose to wait until your child turns 4 to have them take the IQ assessment to be considered during Round II. IQ assessments are due no later than March 16, 2027, while all other application materials must be submitted by January 5, 2027.

4 years old on or after March 6 through May 16, 2027

Children falling in this age range may apply in Round II of the pre-kindergarten admissions process. IQ assessment results are due no later than March 16, 2027, while all other application materials must be submitted by January 5, 2027.

*Please keep in mind that if your child takes the IQ assessment after January 5 and their scores are not determined by Nueva to be in range, they will need to wait for a full 12 months before they can retake the assessment. As a result, they would not be eligible to apply for kindergarten admission at Nueva in the following year.

How to Explore and Visit Nueva

Registration is required for all Nueva events; please log into Ravenna to register. These events are for parents/guardians of prospective applicants to Nueva.

Virtual Program Preview

During this webinar, hosted in October, faculty and leadership will provide a glimpse into life at Nueva.

Hillsborough Campus Tours

These optional campus tours are offered from September through November.

Virtual Office Hours

The Admissions Team hosts virtual office hours from September through December to answer general questions regarding the application process.

Additional Optional Events

Optional workshops and panels are offered covering topics such as student life, giftedness, equity & inclusion, and financial assistance. Check your Ravenna dashboard for updates and more information.

Application Process

Application and Supplemental Materials Deadline: January 5, 2027

Click on each step for more details.

Inquire and create a Ravenna account

Submit Family Information Form & Application Fee

Complete and submit the Family Information Form and the nonrefundable application fee of $100. In Ravenna, you can learn more about an application fee waiver for families applying for financial assistance.
Families are welcome to submit their child's IQ assessment results before submitting the Family Information Form. IQ assessment results must be within our target range to be considered for admission.

Complete Wechsler IQ Assessment

The Wechsler IQ assessment is one of the first steps in our application process. Please contact a licensed psychologist to schedule your child's IQ assessment. For your convenience, here is a list of licensed psychologists who administer these assessments in our area. This is not an exhaustive list; we accept reports from any licensed psychologists.
Review our IQ Assessment Guidelines for Families and send the signed Release Form and the Submissions Guidelines for Psychologists form to the administering psychologist.
A child's IQ assessment results must fall within our target range to be considered for admission. To learn more about the IQ assessment and our target range, visit our IQ Assessment (PreK–8) page.
Complete and submit the Application for IQ Assessment Financial Assistance Voucher if you'd like to request financial assistance for the IQ assessment. Make sure to submit the Family Information Form on Ravenna before applying for assistance. Vouchers are valid only for psychologists included on our Psychologist Resource List.

Submit Parent/Guardian Written Questionnaire

Complete Parent/Guardian Virtual Conversation

This event takes place after the Family Information Form has been submitted and your child's IQ assessment results are within our target range to be considered for admission.
The Virtual Parent/Guardian Conversation is an opportunity to meet with a Nueva faculty or staff member and for us to learn more about your child and family. Conversations typically last 20 minutes and are offered from September to early January.
After we have received the Family Information Form and in-range IQ assessment results, you will receive an email about scheduling this event. The Parent/Guardian Written Questionnaire must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled conversation.
We are typically able to accommodate all families; however, if we do not have availability, we will reach out to you directly.

Participate in an Activity Session (applicant activity)

The Activity Session brings a small group of applicants together for a mix of group discussion, creative thinking, and individual work, much like a typical day in a Nueva classroom. Visiting adults must stay on campus for the duration of the Activity Session and are invited to join current Nueva parents for refreshments, conversation, and a short campus tour.
After the prerequisites listed below are complete, the applicant will be registered for this event.

PREREQUISITES
- Family Information Form & application fee submitted
- IQ Assessment determined by Nueva to be in range to continue in the application process
We encourage families to submit the Family Information Form and IQ assessment results as early as possible. We typically are able to accommodate most eligible applicants for an Activity Session. However, in some years, we have more applicants than open spaces in our Activity Sessions.

Submit required supplemental materials

The following forms are required and must be completed and submitted through Ravenna directly by your child's current school:
- Confidential Common ISSFBA Student Evaluation Form
- Confidential Nueva Student Evaluation Form
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. Additional letters of support, including those from current Nueva community members, will not be added to a student's application.

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 650-235-7119, or email admissions@nuevaschool.org.

Si necesita ayuda en español, comuníquese con Melanie León, directora de admisiones, mleon@nuevaschool.org o llame al 650-235-7111.

Apply for Financial Assistance

Nueva uses the Clarity platform to process all applications for tuition financial assistance. The financial assistance application and supplemental documents are due February 3, 2027.

Find out more about Nueva's Lower School

Lower School Admissions Contacts

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

Melanie Abella
Admissions Assistant
650-235-7119
Email Melanie

Andrea Hart
Associate Director of Admissions
650-350-4526
Email Andrea

Ariana Bickham
Assistant Director of Admissions
650-350-4594
Email A riana

Lupe Ruiz
Admissions Associate
650-350-4524
Email Lupe