Nueva’s environmental citizenship program helps students develop an empathetic bias toward action that is based on an understanding of the interconnected web of natural and human-made systems to which we all belong. It is a pillar of Nueva's learning approach and draws on the sciences, humanities, and arts to understand complex environmental challenges and develop students’ mindsets as empathetic, innovative, and resilient solutionaries.
Environmental
Citizenship
Nueva’s environmental citizenship program cultivates a deep sense of empathy and a readiness to take meaningful action, grounded in the understanding that all natural and human-made systems are deeply interconnected.
As a core element of Nueva’s educational philosophy, the environmental citizenship program integrates science, the humanities, and the arts to help students grasp the complexity of environmental issues while nurturing their capacity to respond with creativity, compassion, and resilience.
Environmental and outdoor education have long been integral to Nueva’s curricula. Building on this foundation, the environmental citizenship program deepens the school’s commitment to sustainability and weaves environmental awareness into everyday practices, while aligning with key pillars of Nueva’s educational vision such as design thinking, equity and social justice, global citizenship, and social-emotional learning.
Across all grade levels and subject areas, students are empowered to approach environmental challenges with both urgency and optimism, engaging through innovation, advocacy, and thoughtful decision-making. They develop a deep connection to the natural world—seeing it as a place of inspiration, personal growth, community, and wonder—while also taking ownership of the environmental impact of their actions.
Systems thinking provides a framework for understanding the complex relationships between human and natural systems, helping students gain meaningful insights into these dynamic interactions. The program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to become active, empathetic, and resilient problem solvers who approach environmental challenges with a systems-thinking mindset.
Students also incorporate design thinking and principles of equity and inclusion into their approach to change-making, allowing them to take part in thoughtful, effective environmental stewardship.
The Nueva School Named a National Green Ribbon School by the United States Department of Education
In April 2021, Nueva was recognized by the United States Department of Education as a California Green Ribbon School and a ‘Green Achiever,’ an honor that recognizes Nueva as a National Green Ribbon School Only one private school per state is accorded this honor each year!
Lee Fertig
Head of School
"It is important to empower students to nurture the place in which they live and learn: their local neighborhood, regional environment, and global ecosystem. With increased awareness of devastating climate change and acknowledgement of the unsustainability of certain patterns within the human condition, environmental citizenship and the development of this mindset in schools are now core necessities in the educational process."
Science & Environmental Center
The Science and Environmental Center is an innovative indoor-outdoor learning space which functions as a hub for inquiry and collaboration. Opened in January 2021 on the Hillsborough campus, it's a place where students explore sustainability, engage in environmental and social research, and examine a wide array of ecological challenges.
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