FPO

Welcome to
Admissions

Welcome to The Nueva School! We are excited for you to learn more about all that Nueva has to offer.

We are no longer accepting applications for the 2025–26 school year. Applications for the 2026–27 school year will open around September 1, 2025. Please continue to check our website throughout the summer for updated application details and deadlines.

Nueva is a dynamic community committed to educating gifted learners from pre-kindergarten through Upper School. Our mission is to inspire passion for lifelong learning, foster social and emotional acuity, and develop the imaginative mind. 

As a community that values curiosity, compassion, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and authentic learning experiences, Nueva students embrace intellectual, social, and academic challenges. With the support of our exceptional faculty, they also find comfort in knowing they have a safe space to ask questions, make mistakes, and enjoy the journey of learning. 

We are eager to help you understand the limitless possibilities of a Nueva education and encourage you to continue exploring our website to learn more about our community and the admissions process. Better yet, come visit us in person! Throughout the admissions season we will offer opportunities to spend time on our beautiful Hillsborough and San Mateo campuses where you will meet many members of our community, from faculty to students to current parents to the admissions team

We look forward to partnering with you as you search for the right school community for your family. 

Warmly,
The Nueva Admissions Team


Important Admissions Dates

  • Lower and Middle School applicants: We highly recommend that students take an IQ assessment with a licensed psychologist as soon as they are eligible. 
     
  • Early September 2024
    Applications open through Ravenna. Check for registration deadlines for optional events
     
  • January 9, 2025
    Deadline for Ravenna application and all required documents
     
  • February 4, 2025
    For those applying for financial assistance, deadline to submit application and all supplemental documents
     
  • March 21, 2025
    Admissions decision notification for all grades
     
  • March 25–26, 2025
    Campus visits for Middle and Upper School admitted students
    Campus visits for parents/guardians of Lower School admitted students
     
  • March 28, 2025
    Deadline to submit admissions decision reply for all grades

Get in touch! 


Email:

admissions@nuevaschool.org

Phone:

Lower and Middle School: 
(650) 350-4528

Upper School:
(650) 235-7119

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


Student Voices

At Nueva, student voices are valued and respected. We regularly document the reflections of our students and alumni on their learning, their school projects, and their feelings about our community. Hear some first-person testimonials about Nueva’s culture and our students’ opinions and experiences.

Illustrations by Thalia R. '22

A Place of Belonging

Above all, Nueva is a sanctuary for gifted learners. Our shared curiosity and love of learning bonds our community across every grade and division.

Student-teacher Relationships

Ask any of our students what they love most about Nueva and the most common answer you’ll hear is “The teachers!” 

Learning Culture with No Ceilings

Our flexible, responsive learning culture rises to meet the interests and ambitions of our students. We’re here to help them go as far and as wide as they want to go.

Connect with Nueva Social Media!

Nueva News

Reflection on Taiwan Exchange Program

In January 2025, Nueva hosted six students from WeGo Private Senior High School for five days. Peter Wang, the lead teacher from WeGo who accompanied the students, expressed immense gratitude for Nueva’s warm welcome and meticulous arrangements. During his visit, he wrote and shared a reflection with the Nueva community.

State of Nueva Presentation Highlights Institutional Growth

On January 16 and 17, Head of School Lee Fertig the State of Nueva, an in-depth look at the school’s progress through three key areas: external metrics, internal strategic initiatives, and community impact. Following the presentation, a panel of community members—representing students, parents, faculty, and alumni—were given the opportunity to reflect and respond to what they heard.

Snapshots: Lower School Intersession

Each year, students from all divisions dive into Intersession, an intellectual feast of stimulating, rich, experiential introductions to a variety of subjects and fields. Parent and professional facilitators offer hundreds of sessions covering topics such as arts, cooking, humanities, environmental citizenship, design thinking, business, science, math, and much more.

Here's a glimpse of what Lower School students have experienced so far during this year's Intersession. With two exciting days already completed, one more is scheduled for Friday, February 14.

Snapshots: Middle School Intersession

Hosted each year following winter break, Intersession is a verifiable feast of intellectually stimulating, rich, experiential introductions to a variety of subjects and fields. Parent and professional facilitators offer hundreds of sessions covering a broad spectrum of topics around the arts, athletics and movement, cooking, humanities, environmental citizenship, design thinking, philosophy, business, science, math, and more. 

Take a look at a sampling of some of the sessions offered in the Middle School this year.

Snapshots: Upper School Intersession

For four days following winter break, and before the start of the spring semester, Upper School students are treated to Intersession, an intellectual feast of stimulating, rich, experiential introductions to a variety of subjects and fields.

Five Questions for...Trenton Stewart, Education Technology Specialist

Trenton Stewart joined the Nueva community two years ago as the Education Technology Specialist. In this role, he supports faculty and staff through behind-the-scenes work that enhances their daily lives, including training, managing systems, and developing solutions. Get to know him as part of our "Five Questions For" series.

In Conversation: David and Zubin


Our video series, In Conversation, features candid conversations between members of the Nueva community. In our fifth episode, David L. ’33 sits down with PE teacher Zubin Mobedshahi ’03.

Lower School Digs Into Food Systems With Community Service Learning

This year, the Lower School community service learning (CSL) series is focused on the food system. Teachers have been weaving this theme into their curricula, and with the campus garden, compost systems, and café, students have a plethora of opportunities to deepen their understanding of food production, the importance of healthy soils, sustainable waste practices, and the direct impact of these factors on health and well-being. 

The Nueva School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Nueva does not discriminate on the basis of these factors in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial assistance program, or athletic and other school-administered programs.

In accordance with the requirements set forth in Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Nueva School provides this notice of nondiscrimination and states that Nueva School does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities. Questions concerning Title IX may be referred to the School’s Title IX Coordinator whose contact information is below or to the Office for Civil Rights at the United States Department of Education. 

Title IX Coordinator:
Scott Bowers, Director of Human Resources 
131 E. 28th Street, San Mateo, CA 94403 
(650) 235-7172, sbowers@nuevaschool.org