Admission
Meet Our Upper School Students
Our students are what makes Crystal special, and they want to share their stories and experiences with you. This page was designed by them for you, the prospective family. Please take some time to get to know them. If you have any questions, you may reach out via email (askanambassador@crystal.org). Please include the name of the Ambassador you would like to hear from, or send a general email and you will be connected with the student best equipped to answer your questions.
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Aneesa
Interests: Coming from a public school, Theater, Music, Dance, Science, Volunteer Work, Crystal Traditions, Math, Pre-Med Club
Class Year: 2024
Joined Crystal: 9th grade
Hometown: Foster City
School attended before Crystal: Kids Connection Elementary School and Bowditch Middle School
I joined Crystal from a public middle school, so I am happy to talk about the application process, settling down and adjusting to a new school life, and the great support that Crystal offers for its new students. As a current junior, you can ask me about class sizes, homework, honors courses, and performing arts classes. I have also participated in both musicals, so I can speak about the audition process, rehearsals, and tech week. Lastly, I would love to share about our famous traditions– Snow Day, Lunar New Year Banquet, and Elimination!
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Audrey
Interests: French, Soccer, Tennis and Clubs
Graduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 6th GradeHometown: BurlingameSchool attended before Crystal: The Carey School
Crystal's language program! I have been taking French my entire time at Crystal, and I have loved the program and all of the teachers. You can also ask me about our sports teams. I play soccer, tennis and really enjoy being on the teams. In addition, feel free to ask me about our Clubs program. I am a part of the Gryphon Business Club, and it's been a great way to explore my interests separate from my core classes.
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Cameron
Interests: Soccer, Track & Field, FootballGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 9th GradeHometown: SaratogaSchool attended before Crystal: Meyerholz Elementary School, Miller Middle SchoolAt Crystal, the main motto is "Family." I feel that I can talk to an adult about anything. I didn’t have that at my local middle school, so it was a huge game-changer. As an African-American student, I was thrilled to see emails and support from affinity groups and parents reaching out to me when I was applying. I attended panels and dinner discussions which made me feel empowered, which I again didn’t get at my local middle school. When I got my acceptance letter, I saw myself developing into a young and intelligent black male. At Crystal, the education is top-tier, and I saw the students getting nothing less than outstanding education. I felt as if Crystal would challenge me just the way I wanted and mold me to become the next best thing. At the time and still today, I believe that Crystal is doing just that for me.
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Destiny
Interests: GPS, SoccerGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 6th GradeHometown: Redwood CitySchool attended before Crystal: North Star Academy, Hawes Elementary SchoolAsk me about "Keep It Real"! “Keep it Real” is a club led by students of color, resembling an affinity space, where each member comes from different backgrounds. We take the time to learn about each other's cultures, bond over shared experiences and create opportunities to share our knowledge with others. The club has organized a POC dance, where other schools were invited, and we continue to make opportunities where others who aren't in the club can learn more about it. Keep it Real” helped me connect with students in different grades with similar experiences, and I'm so grateful for it!
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Edward
Interests: Student Government, Dance, Theatre, Mock TrialGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 6th GradeHometown: StanfordSchool attended before Crystal: Lucille M. Nixon Elementary SchoolMy favorite thing about Crystal is how accepting the community is. I came out as gay in 8th grade, and I have been met with only support from the Crystal community ever since. Not only have I been welcomed, I have been celebrated. Whether it be allowing me to come out in my 8th grade speech in front of the entire middle school or encouraging me to dress the way I'd like, Crystal has always made me feel like I can be who I truly am to the fullest extent. Even when it meant helping me set up 500 rainbow balloons to drop at the end of my coming out speech, Crystal met me with open arms. At Crystal, I know that my classmates and teachers genuinely want to see me achieve my goals and dreams.
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Ella
Interests: Being new in 9th grade, Student Government, Ceramics, Volleyball, Vantage (school magazine) and Diversity and Inclusion initiativesGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 9th GradeHometown: Daly CitySchool attended before Crystal: Mission Dolores AcademyChoosing which high school I was going to enroll in was not a tough decision–as soon as I saw that I had been accepted to Crystal I knew I had to go. I specifically remember from my visit what a kind, inclusive, and dedicated environment Crystal fostered. I’ve never seen teachers so dedicated to ensuring their students succeed, they were (and still are!) incredibly supportive and passionate about their subjects. The rigorous curriculum challenged students to do their best, and they were eager and enthusiastic to learn as much as they could! Ultimately, Crystal’s community is what sold me: their commitment to celebrating and connecting people of different backgrounds and interests made me feel right at home!
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Gia
Interests: Soccer, Robotics, Mock Trial, Dance, Lacrosse, Asian Cultures Club, The Math ProgramGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 9th GradeHometown: San CarlosSchool attended before Crystal : Newcastle Elementary School, Arundel Elementary School, and Tierra Linda Middle SchoolI chose Crystal because every student I spoke to had amazing things to say about their teachers — how they helped them grow as a student and how they have built a special connection with them. Especially in high school, as the workload and stress factors begin to escalate, being in an environment where teachers always have your back is something I think is super important. Coming to Crystal, I learned I was right. I have built so many deep connections with my teachers and I always feel supported. My teachers are always flexible and willing to meet with me whenever I need help and want me to do well.
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Hanna
Interests: Theatre, Dance, ScienceGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 9th GradeHometown: Redwood CitySchool attended before Crystal:The Peninsula SchoolAsk me about being a new 9th grader! I was concerned about coming in from the outside, but Crystal made me feel welcome, and I quickly found my place to learn, thrive, and make friends. I used to go to a small, untraditional school, so I was worried about the jump between my middle school to Crystal, but my ninth grade teachers smoothed the transition so much that I had no trouble with the schoolwork. They taught me all the skills I would need to succeed in and out of my classes. Turns out I had nothing to worry about!
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Kent
Interests: Being a student-athlete, Soccer, CeramicsGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 9th GradeHometown: HillsboroughSchool attended before Crystal: Crocker Middle School, Stratford Pleasanton and British International School of ShanghaiAround campus, you can often find me working or reading in the library, eating with my friends in the Commons during lunch, meeting with my teachers during Office Hours, or working on projects in the ceramics room after school. One of my favorite features of Crystal's class schedule is that they allow plenty of independent time outside the classroom, allowing me to control my own daily schedule and take the initiative in my learning. Ultimately, I get to work and learn at my full capacity by personalizing the support I need from each class.
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Lauren
Interests: The Transition to Crystal, Neurology, Debate, Psychology, Math, Crü , STEM, Track & Field, Dance, Music, Video ProductionGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 9th GradeHometown: HillsboroughSchool attended before Crystal: Crocker Middle School, South Elementary SchoolMy favorite thing about Crystal is the connections and conversations with other students and the faculty. Even from my first step on campus, it was obvious that everyone in the community is always interested in learning new things, and often one quick question or small talk can quickly turn into a deep discussion on topics ranging from the social impact of the loss of the collective memories of the generation that lived through hardships around World War II, to whether Doja Cat deserved a Grammy. Feel free to ask me questions about anything you're curious about, from the transition to Crystal to our many activities to our incredible academics!
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Nicholas
Interests: Cross Country, GolfGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 9th GradeHometown: Daly CitySchool attended before Crystal: St. Thomas MoreI love how tightly knit and welcoming the community is, especially in 9th grade. This was very apparent for me especially since I didn’t attend Crystal's middle school. Adjusting and making new friends was a challenge that I was expecting, but with how nice and friendly everyone was, it was no problem whatsoever. Integrating myself into the school life here at Crystal helped me learn that I was welcome and had a place in the community, which really helped me to know that I wouldn’t be left alone and by myself.
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Noah
Interests: Mock Trial, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Guitar, PhotographyGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 6th GradeHometown: BelmontSchool attended before Crystal: The Carey SchoolMy favorite thing about Crystal is the variety of course options and opportunities. Academically, there are a wide variety of options from which students can choose. Each underclassmen student gets to decide their language and art classes, while upperclassmen get to select all of their courses. Personally, these course options have provided me with opportunities to discover new interests, such as learning French, or taking film photography and visual arts. I’ve tried numerous classes and I am still excited to try Environmental Science, PET (engineering and building), or even higher levels of World Languages, English, Math, Chemistry, and Biology. And that’s only the academic choices: Crystal offers plenty of athletic and artistic fields that have helped me discover new skills and passions that I never knew I would enjoy!
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Shikha
Interests: TheaterGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 9th GradeHometown: San MateoSchool attended before Crystal: St. Matthew's Episcopal Day SchoolAround campus, you can often find me in the admissions office! One of my favorite traditions I’ve developed while at Crystal is visiting the admissions office after lunch with my friends - not only does it get us our candy fix, but we get to try out a riddle, talk to Ms. Isaacson about everything from Spirit Days to salad preferences, and get a sneak peek of what Student Government is working on. Even when the office is empty, you can find my friends and me sitting on the couches, eating peanut M&Ms and answering riddles all of lunch.
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Tai
Interests: GPS, Performing Arts, Tennis, Track & Field, DanceGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 6th GradeHometown: San MateoSchool attended before Crystal: International School of the Peninsula (now called Silicon Valley International School)Ask me about the Global Program for Scholars of Languages (GPS)! Crystal’s language curriculum encourages students to not only learn the language but to live it by immersing them in the culture. Since Freshman year, via GPS, I’ve participated in 2 language classes: Spanish and French! I even studied abroad in Salamanca, Spain and was able to apply what I’ve learned in class to my travels. Additionally, one can also ask me about balancing Crystal’s many after-school activities with schoolwork, as I participate in arts programs (plays, musicals, and dance productions) and sports teams (tennis and track & field).
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Vishal
Interests: Mock Trial, BasketballGraduation Year: 2024Joined Crystal: 6th GradeHometown: Redwood CitySchool attended before Crystal: Stratford SchoolA moment that was “so Crystal” was during the summer pickup runs that were played in the gym. I really felt a true sense of the tight-knit Crystal community, as I would play alongside faculty members such as Mr. Whitmore or Mr. Morgan, or even Crystal alumni home for summer break. With every alum being a former member of the Crystal basketball program, there were many stories told of past van rides, games, and practices. To me, it is even more unheard of to have teachers participating in basketball team activities, but I loved it, as I was able to learn from them as well. It’s not every day that your English teacher will hit a three over you just a few weeks after grading one of your papers!
Middle School
Upper School
Nondiscriminatory Policy: Crystal Springs Uplands School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Website Accessibility Statement: Crystal Springs Uplands School is committed to making this website accessible to visitors with disabilities and is continually working to increase its accessibility and usability. We are on a regular basis seeking opportunities to bring all areas of the site up to the same level of overall web accessibility. If for any reason, you cannot access any of the material on our website, please email webadmin@crystal.org and we will work to resolve the problem as soon as possible.
Website Accessibility Statement: Crystal Springs Uplands School is committed to making this website accessible to visitors with disabilities and is continually working to increase its accessibility and usability. We are on a regular basis seeking opportunities to bring all areas of the site up to the same level of overall web accessibility. If for any reason, you cannot access any of the material on our website, please email webadmin@crystal.org and we will work to resolve the problem as soon as possible.