Student
Experience
Nueva students learn by doing. They construct knowledge through hands-on engagement. As experts in project-based learning, teachers guide authentic and purposeful investigations that enable discovery while building the skills students need to be successful.
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Lower School
PreK–4
Our Lower School is a haven for young gifted learners. Our intellectually engaging and creative program incorporates the powerful and joyful elements of early education: deep investigation, inquiry, play, kindness, friendship, community, and essential connections to the outdoors.
Middle School
5–8
The middle school years are a time of excitement, in which students find their voice and discover how they can make an impact on the world. Teachers use projects, trips, and activities and clubs to make the middle school experience rich with academic and elective
experiences.
Upper School
9–12
At the Nueva Upper School, the students’ experience is at the center of everything we do. We nourish their love of learning by providing each student unparalleled opportunity to chart their own pathway through high school. With support from advisors, students select from more than 100 electives that satisfy graduation requirements and allow them to dive deeply into exciting subjects.
Learn More About Our Campuses
Nueva News
![Around the Campfire: Lower School Students Zoom under the Stars]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1591301061/nuevaschoolorg/zm0s8tgzzexcimmwuzif/ScreenShot2020-05-28at61750PM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1591301061/nuevaschoolorg/zm0s8tgzzexcimmwuzif/ScreenShot2020-05-28at61750PM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1591301061/nuevaschoolorg/zm0s8tgzzexcimmwuzif/ScreenShot2020-05-28at61750PM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1591301061/nuevaschoolorg/zm0s8tgzzexcimmwuzif/ScreenShot2020-05-28at61750PM.png","width":837}])
Although they couldn’t actually roast s’mores and camp under bright stars last Thursday, Nueva Lower School students did the next best thing—they Zoomed in to participate in Campfire Night.
![From the Lower School Student Newsletter Team]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1590090700/nuevaschoolorg/aqkeqcphczu9rn2cpbbq/ScreenShot2020-05-19at85309AM2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1590090700/nuevaschoolorg/aqkeqcphczu9rn2cpbbq/ScreenShot2020-05-19at85309AM2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1590090700/nuevaschoolorg/aqkeqcphczu9rn2cpbbq/ScreenShot2020-05-19at85309AM2.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1590090700/nuevaschoolorg/aqkeqcphczu9rn2cpbbq/ScreenShot2020-05-19at85309AM2.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1590090700/nuevaschoolorg/aqkeqcphczu9rn2cpbbq/ScreenShot2020-05-19at85309AM2.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1590090700/nuevaschoolorg/aqkeqcphczu9rn2cpbbq/ScreenShot2020-05-19at85309AM2.png","width":2200}])
Each week, Lower School Division Head Megan Terra sends out a Lower School newsletter, which includes student-written articles. Read more to see a sampling of their work.
![Lower School Hosts Virtual STEAMlet Expo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1588891983/nuevaschoolorg/ordr1nb5j8dm02pifibe/db4c5c01349567f488e5facd99e9f819_Unknown.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1588891983/nuevaschoolorg/ordr1nb5j8dm02pifibe/db4c5c01349567f488e5facd99e9f819_Unknown.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1588891983/nuevaschoolorg/ordr1nb5j8dm02pifibe/db4c5c01349567f488e5facd99e9f819_Unknown.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1588891983/nuevaschoolorg/ordr1nb5j8dm02pifibe/db4c5c01349567f488e5facd99e9f819_Unknown.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1588891983/nuevaschoolorg/ordr1nb5j8dm02pifibe/db4c5c01349567f488e5facd99e9f819_Unknown.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1588891983/nuevaschoolorg/ordr1nb5j8dm02pifibe/db4c5c01349567f488e5facd99e9f819_Unknown.jpg","width":2200}])
The Lower School STEAMlet Expo was originally scheduled to take place March 13, the first day of Nueva’s campus closure. While the event could not be held in person this year, it did move into a virtual space.
![Traveling Back in Time]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1588216685/nuevaschoolorg/v1qpys4ayzy3zemyrrpz/eliya.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1588216685/nuevaschoolorg/v1qpys4ayzy3zemyrrpz/eliya.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1588216685/nuevaschoolorg/v1qpys4ayzy3zemyrrpz/eliya.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1588216685/nuevaschoolorg/v1qpys4ayzy3zemyrrpz/eliya.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1588216685/nuevaschoolorg/v1qpys4ayzy3zemyrrpz/eliya.png","width":1448}])
At Nueva, you can travel the world. From ancient Egypt and Mali to Suva, Fiji, we are constantly exploring. The fourth graders, on April 8, traveled back approximately 3,000 years ago to the School of Athens.
![In Structured Word Inquiry, a Word's Meaning is the Key to Unlocking Its Spelling]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1586453274/nuevaschoolorg/su0a1dlvnjehbkuyv6ea/biome.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1586453274/nuevaschoolorg/su0a1dlvnjehbkuyv6ea/biome.png","width":499}])
Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) is the scientific investigation of words. This approach to language instruction has been integrated in the Nueva curriculum for many years, and SWI coach Rebecca Loveless has taught young Nuevans about words for the last seven years.
![Kindergarten Team Incorporates the “Nueva Way” into Remote Learning Space]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1585256865/nuevaschoolorg/dfq85rcgq0eyslzk5rie/rohan.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1585256865/nuevaschoolorg/dfq85rcgq0eyslzk5rie/rohan.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1585256865/nuevaschoolorg/dfq85rcgq0eyslzk5rie/rohan.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1585256865/nuevaschoolorg/dfq85rcgq0eyslzk5rie/rohan.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1585256865/nuevaschoolorg/dfq85rcgq0eyslzk5rie/rohan.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1585256865/nuevaschoolorg/dfq85rcgq0eyslzk5rie/rohan.png","width":2200}])
Our Nueva teachers have worked incredibly hard to bring the “Nueva Way” educational experience to our students across all divisions in this new remote learning space. Kindergarten teachers have not only approached remote learning as student-centered, they have also approached remote learning as parent-centered.
![Nueva First Graders Strive to be Kindness Ambassadors]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1584574944/nuevaschoolorg/k9t1zfkbbcshun1mnhrj/4T3A7261.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1584574944/nuevaschoolorg/k9t1zfkbbcshun1mnhrj/4T3A7261.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1584574944/nuevaschoolorg/k9t1zfkbbcshun1mnhrj/4T3A7261.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1584574944/nuevaschoolorg/k9t1zfkbbcshun1mnhrj/4T3A7261.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1584574944/nuevaschoolorg/k9t1zfkbbcshun1mnhrj/4T3A7261.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1584574944/nuevaschoolorg/k9t1zfkbbcshun1mnhrj/4T3A7261.jpg","width":2200}])
Nueva first graders are learning to be kind, compassionate, empathetic citizens, as they are currently studying ableism.
![Second-Grade Angel Island Field Trip Exemplifies Integrated Learning]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1581014782/nuevaschoolorg/npksolgvn4szkqxwzyfm/20200205_120854.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1581014782/nuevaschoolorg/npksolgvn4szkqxwzyfm/20200205_120854.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1581014782/nuevaschoolorg/npksolgvn4szkqxwzyfm/20200205_120854.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1581014782/nuevaschoolorg/npksolgvn4szkqxwzyfm/20200205_120854.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1581014782/nuevaschoolorg/npksolgvn4szkqxwzyfm/20200205_120854.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1581014782/nuevaschoolorg/npksolgvn4szkqxwzyfm/20200205_120854.jpg","width":2200}])
The second grade embarked on a research field trip to Angel Island and the former immigration center, which perfectly tied into the humanities theme of the grade: Bay Area history through the lens of immigration.
![Students Explore Exciting Choice Time Activities]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1580405159/nuevaschoolorg/cn5d1lhoqsmlyjkykflq/IMG_4857.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1580405159/nuevaschoolorg/cn5d1lhoqsmlyjkykflq/IMG_4857.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1580405159/nuevaschoolorg/cn5d1lhoqsmlyjkykflq/IMG_4857.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1580405159/nuevaschoolorg/cn5d1lhoqsmlyjkykflq/IMG_4857.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1580405159/nuevaschoolorg/cn5d1lhoqsmlyjkykflq/IMG_4857.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1580405159/nuevaschoolorg/cn5d1lhoqsmlyjkykflq/IMG_4857.jpg","width":2200}])
On Fridays, the Lower School buzzes with excitement as students engage in choice time activities ranging from cooking and sewing to board games and art.