Your Peers in Upper SchoolMeet Your Classmates

List of 26 items.

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  Aanya

  Hometown: Fremont

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Montessori School of Fremont

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Varsity Girls Basketball, Executive Crystal Ambassador, 9th Grade Mentor, Model UN Club, Visual Arts, South Asian Affinity Space
  
  

  
  

  I chose Crystal because the moment I stepped onto the campus in 5th grade for my shadow day, I could immediately see what a unique community it was! Reflecting on my visit, one particular moment demonstrated this most clearly. I have been playing basketball since 2nd grade.  Every day at recess, the boys at my elementary school would play on the blacktop. My parents would encourage me to play with them so I could get more practice, but I never felt comfortable enough. However, during my shadow day, I ended up spending lunch playing basketball with my shadow buddy and some other 6th graders in the gym. I felt comfortable playing with kids I had only known for a few hours, whereas I had never wanted to play with kids I had known for years at my elementary school! I knew then that Crystal was where I wanted to be.
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  Alexandra

  Hometown: Hillsborough 

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Crocker Middle School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 9th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2028

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Tennis, Dance, Biomedical Research Club, Gryphon Gazette, STEM + the environment, hiking around the Bay Area
  
  

  
  

  I chose Crystal because of the very supportive community which welcomed me with open arms and enabled me to grow as a person. Because I was new to Crystal in 9th grade, I was worried that I would have a hard time making friends. However, on my first day of tennis tryouts before school started, I was welcomed to the team and the upperclassmen took me under their wing and guided me through those first weeks of school. In addition, since we have such a small and close-knit community, within a few weeks into school, I knew most of the teachers and students. What I loved most was feeling seen and heard, especially when my new peers would wave at me in the hallways. Finally, I love that Crystal offers the opportunity for students to lead their own initiatives and clubs. This allows us to find and explore topics that we are passionate about and connect with other students with similar interests. Overall, Crystal provides me with a safe place to be myself, find my own passions and have mentors and teachers along the way who are more than happy to help me. 
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  Alexandre

  Hometown: Beijing, China or Paris, France 

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: The Western Academy of Beijing 

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 9th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Model UN, Varsity Swimming, Youth Leadership At Peer Point, TEDx Club, Executive Crystal Ambassador
  
  

  
  

  What sold me on Crystal was the culture of excellence and agency given to students in their own academic journey. Other schools seemed more traditional, but Crystal offered a chance to all students and gave them the resources they need to be the best version of themselves they can be both as a student but also as a person.  Combined with the strong student voice through committees, it felt like a place where I could truly explore my interests and make a difference. Furthermore, Crystal as a whole was a super welcoming community from the start which made it all the better and easier when I did decide to make the transition over here!
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  Allie

  Hometown: San Francisco

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Kittredge School 

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 9th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Robotics team, cross country, track, soccer, biotech club

  
  

  I chose Crystal over other schools for two main reasons: a strong sense of community, and specialized programs. During my application process when comparing schools after touring, I felt that Crystal set itself apart. Similar to the other schools, when I visited Crystal I felt scared, and uncertain. Although these feelings were quickly alleviated when I met multiple Crystal students, who were enthusiastic to talk and include me. As I went through my tour I got to see the student social life, I noticed it was really strong and connected. I knew I wanted to be a part of this small, inclusive community. I was trying to avoid a school that had large amounts of social drama, which Crystal didn’t confer. In addition, the programs that Crystal offers are another reason I wanted to attend. Their in-depth robotics team, and large variety of clubs seemed great. 
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  Allison

  Hometown: Hillsborough

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Crocker Middle, Burlingame Intermediate

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 9th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Tennis, Soccer, Lacrosse, Student Government, Green Team, Shanti Alliance, and STEM Invention 

  
  

  I remember touring Crystal for the first time and loving the campus, especially the Mansion. But much more importantly, Crystal was the right fit for me. As a student with many different interests, I was looking for an academically strong yet balanced environment that would allow me to continue exploring my passions. I wanted to spend my next four years with supportive peers who could challenge me. I find that many of my peers are involved in multiple activities, and I often get to interact with them across sports teams, clubs, and classes. In addition, Crystal’s teachers give me personalized guidance and are always willing to help out. I chose Crystal because I felt I could thrive academically while pursuing my interests beyond classes. 
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  Caroline

  Hometown: San Mateo

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Leader of Biomed Club, Stem invention Studio, Student Academic Council, Asian Affinity Space
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  Clara

  Hometown: Palo Alto

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Challenger

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Soccer team, Track team, Asian Culture Club, Multiracial Affinity Group

  
  

  What really compelled me to choose Crystal was the amazing community that surrounds you. Not only are the students incredible, but also the teachers and all PAC are all super supportive and understanding with you, and that is something many other schools don't have. Teachers will always find ways to help you out in hard situations and just want what's best for you, whether it's letting you push back a deadline or helping you understand a problem better. Not only are they supportive, but teachers do their best to make every class fun and engaging to help you learn t he material best. The PAC wasn't the only thing that convinced me to come to Crystal though. The students in this community were a major factor too. Everyone is so kind and inclusive, and it never feels as if you are being left out or alone. Someone will always involve you and make you feel included. As well as you own grade, Crystal provides so many opportunities to connect with other grades, allowing you to build bonds with everyone, no matter what grade, and all students are always kind and open to forming great bonds and friendships. The friendships I have made with the upperclassmen already are truly special to me and I can't wait to make more throughout the rest of my years at Crystal.
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• Daphné

  Hometown: Redwood City

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Central Elementary School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2028

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Beach Volleyball, Yearbook Club, Science for Causes Club, STEM, Photography, Executive Ambassador  
  
  

  
  

  What stood out to me about Crystal was the very tight-knit community due both to the small class sizes and to the genuine enthusiasm that each person brought. Having classes of about 15 students provided a really great learning environment where everyone’s opinion was valued, and people felt comfortable sharing their ideas. On top of that, being able to talk individually with teachers, ask questions, get support, and actually get to know them was a very important aspect for me, and even though I shadowed virtually, I could tell that all the teachers were truly passionate and cared about the success of each individual student. Other than the academic standpoint, having a small, close-knit community allowed me to really get to know everyone in my grade, for example, through classes, sports, clubs, and advisory, and making connections with other people, both in my grade and in other grades, creates a culture of belonging that I really value. Crystal also offers students lots of opportunities to take active roles at school by engaging in their passions and sharing those interests with the community, for example, by leading clubs or affinity spaces. Such programs also allow students to make real connections with others while taking risks or stepping outside of their comfort zone, which I also found was an especially valuable facet of the Crystal community. The community of trust, support, and belonging is one of the reasons why I chose to come to Crystal. 
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  Diego

  Hometown: San Mateo

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Baywood

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th Grade

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Football, Latine Affinity Space Leader, LSU club leader, Crystal FIRST, Peninsula Bridge mentor, Executive Ambassador

  
  

  I chose this school because of the opportunities that I'm getting . I am a part of Peninsula Bridge, I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity, as Crystal works with programs like Peninsula Bridge. It was also the school that I saw had the most diversity, being able to explore more cultures and learn about other people's backgrounds. Out of all the other schools I was accepted to in 6th grade, Crystal was the school that had teachers who would get to know you, sit down with you, and help you learn in a way tailored to your needs. 
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  Elise

  Hometown: Palo Alto

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Bowman School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 9th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Volleyball, Basketball, Marine Bio and Conservation Club

  
  

  I chose Crystal because of the rigorous academics and focus on athletics. The expertise of the faculty and the knowledge I have gained at Crystal, even though I have only been here for one year, are beyond anything I would have expected. I was uncertain of what attending Crystal would be like, knowing that academic life may be challenging and I wouldn't have as much free time, but I have found that there are many ways to stay flexible with your academic schedule and the teachers are very supportive and accommodating. Something else that stood out about Crystal for me was the athletic programs. Even though it is a small school, the accomplishments made in various sports are beyond amazing. I love to play volleyball and basketball, and even though I’m not the best at either, I have been able to participate in both and help develop the athletic program.
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  Ella

  Hometown: Burlingame and San Francisco

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Brandeis

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Tennis team, the Spring Musical, Mock Trial, Student Government

  
  

  When I visited,  I was matched with a really kind shadow buddy and she introduced me to all of her friends and answered any questions I had. She showed me Crystal's warm environment, which focuses on inclusion and being true to yourself. I knew that regardless of people’s interests, everyone could find a place to belong. In addition, I could feel how much everyone enjoyed school. The students were passionate about learning, and I instantly loved their intellectual curiosity. I could tell that the people at Crystal appreciated knowledge for its own sake, rather than just the grades that came with it. Crystal’s core values, like “engaging with enthusiasm” and “balance,” also resonated with me. Not only could I be in a community that loves learning, but my interests outside of that would also be fostered. 
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  Ellie

  Hometown: Hillsborough

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: The Carey School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Varsity Girls Volleyball + Soccer, STEM, Peer Tutoring, President of Asian Culture Club, Executive Ambassador, Art
  
  

  
  

  I chose Crystal over other schools because of the community and opportunities it gives each student. Crystal ensures that each student is recognized and acknowledged through various activities throughout the year. The sports at Crystal were also a huge importance to me because the coaches and people were so nice. Personally, this year I was on the volleyball team, and the students I played with are the kindest people. We created a bond with each other and our coache,s which taught us a lot of respect and appreciation. Additionally, the lunches and food options at Crystal cater to various dietary needs, ensuring that each student has a meal. Finally, the teachers and the classes are very inclusive and fun. Each teacher makes sure that if you need them, they will help you. I believe that the teacher's connection with each student is very important, and it is one of the primary reasons I chose Crystal. 
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  Hannah

  Hometown: Hillsborough

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: BIS, Crocker

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 9th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Art assistant, Gryphon Whiffer, Asian Culture Club, Crystal Dance

  
  

  I chose Crystal because of the wonderful community. Whenever I toured, I felt so welcomed and like I belonged here. Everyone treated me with kindness and generosity and helped me get used to a brand new environment, especially once school started. It was easy for me to reach out to anyone if I needed help or advice, and there were so many opportunities for me to meet new people and form connections and friendships.
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  Harman

  Hometown: Redwood City

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Belmont Oaks Academy

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Student Government(Class officer), Cross Country, Track and field, Mock Trial, Debate, Robotics

  
  

  There are many schools in the area, but Crystal’s sense of community is unmatched. I came from a very small elementary school, so I was worried about the transition to a bigger school. However, after visiting and attending Crystal, I got to see how building friendships and connections are valued and cherished. It feels like everyone lifts each other up, even in a place as competitive as the Bay Area. Lastly, there are many opportunities, such as assemblies and class meetings, where the whole school comes together. This helps students from different grade levels to learn more about each other.
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  Hunter

  Hometown: Hillsborough

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Crocker Middle School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 9th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: XC, Basketball, Dance

  
  

  I chose Crystal because I thought I would be able to grow both academically and personally. Crystal is one of the best academic schools in the area, however, it’s also an environment that fosters diversity and inclusion, which was not as evident when examining some of the other schools. Crystal seemed to be a place where I could explore multiple aspects of my identity while still academically challenging.
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  Jack

  Hometown: Hillsborough

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: William H. Crocker Middle School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 10th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Cross Country, Soccer, Track and Field, Gryphon Gazette 
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  Kendall

  Hometown: Burlingame

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Washington Elementary School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Track team, Mock Trial, Soccer, Green Team, Jew Crew, and the Jewish Affinity Space.

  
  

  There were two main reasons why I chose Crystal: the community and the relationship with your teachers are unmatched. While shadowing a 6th grader, I could instantly tell that the community at Crystal was special.  Everyone seemed like they had a sense of belonging and it wasn’t cliquey like I had seen at other schools I visited. This sense of belonging has stuck with me for the past 4 years, I feel like I’m at home when I’m at school and I love spending time with the people around me. After hearing students on a panel and visiting classes when applying, I realized the relationship that the students have with their teachers at Crystal is remarkable. Coming from a public elementary school where I had around 30 kids in my class every year, the investment Crystal teachers have in their students’ academic and personal success really stood out to me. 
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  Lauryn

  Hometown: San Carlos

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Tierra Linda Middle School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 9th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2026

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Soccer, track and field, VP of Gryphon Gazette (club)

  
  

  While choosing a school, I sought an environment that prioritized academic excellence, personal growth, and competitive athletics. Crystal stood out because of its strong sense of community and dedication to fostering a supportive learning environment. The close community at Crystal mirrored a close-knit family, where teachers and students come together to create an enriching atmosphere. While visiting Crystal, I immediately noticed the support teachers gave to their students, and their genuine kindness was seen even during a passing period. I was drawn to the school's reputation for providing an education that focuses on academic achievement and encourages students to explore their passions and interests outside the classroom, which for me were in track and field, soccer, and writing. I knew that by choosing Crystal, I would join a community where I could thrive academically and socially.

   
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  Luke

  Hometown: Atherton

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Phillips Brooks School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: LGBTQ+ affinity space, Technical Theater as a Lighting Designer, Dance Program, 9th Grade mentor, Executive Ambassador, Origami, and Science!
  
  

  
  

  When I was looking for middle schools to attend, Crystal really stood out to me because, during my visit, every teacher I met was genuinely interested in me and had very engaging lessons that were both positive and fun. I also heard this from many of the ambassadors who explained how there is space for really great student-teacher relationships and so many opportunities to get help with work. As well as teachers, I experienced that all of the student representatives were incredibly kind and knowledgeable, and overall fun to talk to. So I ended up choosing Crystal because of the positive community of students and teachers, and the support network already there for students if they struggle. This made me more confident going into sixth grade and able to accept new challenges. The opportunity for such amazing relationships is also why I stayed at Crystal for high school.
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  Mihir

  Hometown: Atherton

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Phillips Brooks School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Basketball, Model UN club

  
  

  Crystal immediately stood out to me because of the community. At all the admissions events I attended, it was clear that Crystal is a tight-knit, supportive community in which everyone truly cares about one another. I saw, and continue to see, people laughing with one another and helping each other out, even if they aren’t the best of friends. Another aspect that really stood out to me was the teachers. When I first visited Crystal, it seemed teachers were truly enthusiastic about what they were teaching, and they wanted to pass that passion on to their students. My experience at Crystal has only verified this. Every day, I see teachers not only instructing but also joking with and truly getting to know students. The teachers and community both made an incredible first impression on me, and continue to make Crystal a school I am proud to be part of.
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  Nithya

  Hometown: Sunnyvale

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Harker

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 9th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Comms committee, Madrigals (choir), Students for Social Justice

  
  

  When I was in 8th grade, looking at high schools, Crystal stood out because the community was incredibly supportive and sweet, so I knew I had to apply. Crystal’s community is honestly so incredibly unique that it is difficult to describe. The best words I can use to describe it is supportively tight-knit. Having a class of 90 students means you get to know them very well, and that creates a very supportive environment because everyone looks out for one another.
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  Sarina

  Hometown: San Carlos

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: White Oaks, Arroyo

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Mock Trial, Volleyball, Soccer, Track and Field, Jew Crew, Green Team

  
  

  I chose Crystal over other schools because of many things, but especially because of the encouragement to try new things, the incredible sense of community, and the relationships students have with teachers. Even if you don’t know someone well, everyone is so friendly and encourages you to try things that you haven’t done before. It’s the same with the faculty, they are friendly and willing to help you improve your work, which makes students comfortable to approach if they have an issue. When I toured Crystal, I saw all of this through people on the field playing different sports, groups of friends laughing all around the school, and students problem solving with teachers in the math classroom.
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  Scout

  Hometown: Woodside

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Woodside Elementary, Las Lomitas

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Soccer, Communications Committee, Photography

  
  

  Before applying to middle schools, I knew something I wanted to see while searching was a strong and welcoming community. Throughout elementary school, my friend group went through multiple changes that never felt right so I was looking for a culture in which I belonged. Immediately as I arrived on campus to shadow the school, I was greeted by many happy faces from faculty and students. My shadow buddy made me feel so comfortable with everyone so I had no time to feel shy or nervous. I met new people in each class who shared stories from Crystal traditions like snow days and lip sync. I felt so excited that I wanted to start immediately and knew that Crystal would be the perfect fit.
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  Shreyans

  Hometown: San Mateo

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: The Carey School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: I am involved in debate, robotics, tennis, and the instrumentals program.

  
  

  I chose Crystal because of the multiple opportunities to be a leader in our close-knit community, such as a club, the student government, sports, and more. The Crystal community is very nurturing and encouraging as we learn amidst laughter and smiles. Another reason I chose Crystal was because of the quality of teaching here. Teachers are very communicative and give prompt, helpful feedback when asked to; students can use office hours to ask questions and email to arrange a time to meet/ask questions. Additionally, Crystal corresponds with my interests: our robotics team competes regularly, and we have shop hours every day after school. Also, our debate team competes monthly. Both of these teams are a great way to interact with students from other grades. Finally, our robust CADS and music programs help me dive deeper into my interests in computer science and music… and the food is great! ;)
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  Tochi

  Hometown: Pacifica

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Thomas Edison Elementary

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: Mock Trial, Shanti Alliance, Student Government, Volleyball, Track & Field

  
  

  I chose Crystal over other schools because the relationships within the community are very prevalent and close here at Crystal. The teachers genuinely care about the students and encourage brave conversations and questions. The small community enables us to become close with people not only in our grade but in other grades as well. The small class size also provided me with more individualized attention from my teachers, which in turn increased my confidence in all my classes. Not only that but at my first Crystal visit, I was welcomed by students and teachers alike. This exemplifies one of our core values: fostering kindness and inclusion. The multiple opportunities in extracurricular activities drew me even closer to Crystal. I found multiple passions, and I’m constantly finding more and learning about myself through that process. I feel at home at Crystal and know I can be my full, authentic self.
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  Wyatt

  Hometown: Redwood City

  
  

  The school I attended before Crystal: Phillips Brooks School

  
  

  Grade I joined Crystal: 6th

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2027

  
  

  Interests/Activities: The Fall Play, the Spring Musical, Crü (theater tech), Affinity & Ally Space Leader

  
  

  I chose Crystal because of the community and the curriculum. When I went through the application process, it was made clear to me how much the community cares and supports each other. When I shadowed, I saw how people would talk to each other with respect and how everyone had a friend to sit with, regardless of their class. The teachers provided interesting and informative lessons that I enjoyed greatly. This has not changed today! Students help each other with homework, there are people talking in the halls, and no one is left out! I love my classes and I feel like I am genuinely learning in class. I have a wonderful friend group who are kind and uplifting. I never feel sad or alone with them! The teachers genuinely care about the material they teach and make school really enjoyable!
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