Your Peers in Upper SchoolMeet Your Classmates

List of 32 items.

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  AJ

  Graduation Year: 2025

  Around campus, you can often find me in the theater. Whether I am climbing through the unfinished crawl spaces within its walls to find the other end of an ethernet cable, doing soünd for a game of family feud during assembly, or wiring DMX-controlled LED strips for a set piece of the current theatrical production, I pour much of my time into the Stage Crü group at Crystal. The student-run program allows me to pursue my passion in technical theater and soünd engineering, and I often take agency solving problems and taking on leadership roles working in the tech booth.
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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: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 6th Grade
  
  Hometown: Burlingame
  
  School 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

  At 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.

  
  

  Graduation Year: 2024
  Joined Crystal: 9th Grade
  Hometown: Saratoga
  School attended before Crystal: Meyerholz Elementary School, Miller Middle School
  
  

  Interests:

  Soccer, Track & Field, Football
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  Christian

  Graduation Year: 2025

  
  One of the main reasons I chose Crystal is because of how diverse it is. Although each grade only has between 85 - 100 students, the diversity of students and interests allowed me to find a friend group that shares my same interests and humor. As a second generation Chinese-American, I was impressed with the Asian representation within the school. I feel that it has allowed me to build even stronger friendships with many of my peers because of our shared experiences and culture. 
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  Daniela

  Graduation Year: 2025
  
  

  Ultimately, the most meaningful aspect of Crystal for me is the ability to be involved at school in myriad ways. Crystal students embrace the “yes and” attitude, and I have loved being on Student Government, and participating in the dance program, and leading two clubs, and supporting friends at sporting events, and doubling up in language, and pursuing the advanced math track, and so much more. I deeply cherish all these levels of engagement, and can’t wait to experience more “ands” over the next two years. 
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  Destiny

  Interests: GPS, Soccer

  
  Graduation Year: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 6th Grade
  
  Hometown: Redwood City
  
  School attended before Crystal: North Star Academy, Hawes Elementary School

  
  Ask 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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  Eddy

  Interests: Student Government, Dance, Theatre, Mock Trial
  
  

  Graduation Year: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 6th Grade
  
  Hometown: Stanford
  
  School attended before Crystal: Lucille M. Nixon Elementary School

  My 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 initiatives
  
  

  Graduation Year: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 9th Grade
  
  Hometown: Daly City
  
  School attended before Crystal: Mission Dolores Academy
  
  

  Choosing 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 Program

  
  Graduation Year: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 9th Grade
  
  Hometown: San Carlos
  
  School attended before Crystal : Newcastle Elementary School,
  
  Arundel Elementary School, and Tierra Linda Middle School

  I 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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  Greylin

  Graduation: 2025
  
  

  I chose Crystal for the amazing community, the dedication to academic excellence, and the balance between academic and social life. Crystal has an amazing community of students and PAC members that are all warm, kind, curious, creative and playful. As one of the new students in 9th grade, I wasn't sure if I was going to fit in; but everyone was so welcoming, and Crystal really made an effort to help me get to know the student body, from smaller group activities like advisories to larger all grade events. Additionally, the Crystal community is passionate about learning, and the classes are rigorous and engaging, making it a great place to come everyday and explore a variety of subjects. 
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  Hanna

  Interests: Theatre, Dance, Science

  
  Graduation Year: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 9th Grade
  
  Hometown: Redwood City
  
  School attended before Crystal: The Peninsula School

  
  Ask 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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  Hannah

  Graduation: 2025

  
  Ask me about Crystal Athletics! I am a tri-sport Crystal athlete, participating on the soccer, volleyball, and track teams. Since sixth grade, I’ve been a proud representative of Crystal Athletics, and since my sophomore year, I’ve been on the varsity level for all three sports. I have made countless cross-grade friendships through team engagement, and I always encourage my friends to participate with me. I also am the vice president of the volleyball club, which boasts many members who are excited about learning how to play the sport.
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  Henry

  Graduation Year: 2025

  
  Upon arriving at Crystal in 6th grade, I was nervous because I didn’t know anyone in my grade, but I had nothing to fear. Within minutes of my arrival, I was welcomed by smiling 8th graders, congratulatory teachers, and many new faces. Immediately, I felt at home. In the following years, my grade only continued to grow closer through bonding on retreats and going through the same tests and essays together. Furthermore, diversity at Crystal is astounding, in terms of race, religion, background, socio-economic status, and interests. There will always be someone who connects with you in some way, and those connections are how this amazing community was created. The academics brought me here, and the community made me stay. 
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  Isabella

  Graduation: 2025

  
  Around campus, you can find me hanging around the commons under the wisteria vines, meeting my teachers during OH, playing on the back lawn, but most often, in the Gryphon Center, which is our athletics building. Here, you’ll often catch me motivating my teammates in the gym, watching spirited games down in the Gryphon den, setting up volleyball nets, decorating the gym for its latest spirit event, or even just talking with friends on the couches. I find the GC to be one of the most versatile and exciting places with the greatest sense of community on campus.
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  Kelyn

  Graduation year: 2025

  
  I am always met with a warm and friendly attitude from my peers whether it be a few minutes before a big math test, in which words of encouragement are spread throughout the classroom, or during Homecoming in which everyone is loudly cheering for the football and volleyball teams. The sense of community I feel at Crystal is unmatched and there is always someone to support you and cheer you on whether that be your advisor, teacher, or friend. This forms a genuinely caring atmosphere that allows every student to thrive.
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  Kent

  Interests: Being a student-athlete, Soccer, Ceramics

  
  Graduation Year: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 9th Grade
  
  Hometown: Hillsborough
  
  School attended before Crystal: Crocker Middle School, Stratford
  
  Pleasanton and British International School of Shanghai

  Around 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

  Graduation year: 2024

  
  My 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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  Molly

  Graduation Year: 2025

  
  Ask me about anything ranging from athletics, clubs, or the transition to Crystal! I joined in 9th grade, so I naturally thought there would be a large adjustment going into high school. However, Crystal couldn’t have been more welcoming; the support students receive from PAC and their peers is incredible. No matter what your background or interests are, it’s super easy to get involved with the community. I have played multiple varsity sports, such as volleyball, lacrosse, and tennis, and I’m on Crystal’s Mock Trial team. I also co-lead the Pre-Med club, so with the support of this community, my adjustment to Crystal has been super smooth. 
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  Nicholas

  Interests: Cross Country, Golf

  
  Graduation Year: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 9th Grade
  
  Hometown: Daly City
  
  School attended before Crystal: St. Thomas More

  
  I 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.
  
  Watch: Nicholas' Perspective
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  Noah

  Interests: Mock Trial, Football, Basketball, Baseball, Guitar, Photography

  
  Graduation Year: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 6th Grade
  
  Hometown: Belmont
  
  School attended before Crystal: The Carey School

  
  My 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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  Sam

  Graduation Year: 2025

  
  My favorite thing about Crystal is the overarching support given to us by all staff members. This kind of academic, athletic, and mental support given to the students by the staff is something unique about Crystal. It is something that allows us students to persevere through difficult predicaments. The diverse staff at Crystal allows students to feel like they always have a support outlet to discuss anything.
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  Samantha

  Graduation  Year: 2025

  
  One of my favorite things about Crystal is the revival of affinity spaces! Ms. Schorn, our dean, introduced affinity/ally spaces to our community, and I felt that it has been very effective and I look forward to the following years, with new faces and identities represented. This year, I decided to lead one of the affinity groups, the Latiné affinity space, which was something risky for me. I’ve always loved helping people out, but this time, I would be a leader, and would need to learn how to introduce complex topics and lead difficult conversations. Fortunately, I was able to co-lead this space with a fellow classmate, and a senior, and I am so proud to be able to collaborate with them!
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  Shikha

  Interests: Theater

  
  Graduation Year: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 9th Grade
  
  Hometown: San Mateo
  
  School attended before Crystal: St. Matthew's Episcopal Day School

  
  Around 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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  Sophia

  Graduation Year: 2025

  
  Ask me about Gryphon Robotics! As a new student to Crystal with little experience, I was initially reluctant to join the robotics team but decided to give it a try. Within minutes, I was part of the team family. That’s one of Crystal's beauties: the people. The tight-knit community allowed me to explore everything from electronics to design. Now, as I prepare to act as code lead, I reflect on the vital role that robotics has played in my Crystal experience. I can confidently say that the shared passion and sense of community that exists within Gryphon Robotics is unmatched. 
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  Spencer

  Graduation: 2025

  
  I chose Crystal because… it felt like the perfect fit. Specifically, the kids were academic and motivated to learn. It felt like a place where everyone was aiming to achieve a goal and the teachers, staff, and students were all working together to make those goals a reality. The teachers seemed interested in the subjects they were teaching and took the time to work with students who were lost or confused. The campus spoke for itself, but I loved that it was big enough to feel like a real high school but small enough that you could regularly see your friends and feel like you are part of a community. Crystal has a well-deserved reputation for academic excellence, but it also is a fun place to go to high school and you can always find a friend who can make you laugh.
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  Tai

  Interests: GPS, Performing Arts, Tennis, Track & Field, Dance

  
  Graduation Year: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 6th Grade
  
  Hometown: San Mateo
  
  School 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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  Taj

  Graduation Year: 2025
   
  My favorite thing about Crystal is the variety of resources provided by teachers is unmatched and these resources have helped me so much throughout my years here at Crystal. All of my teachers have taken an interest in me individually as a student and are always willing to help and provide many different resources to aid me while I learn. I love that we have a long office hours period where my teachers are always available to meet, but additionally, my teachers are always happy to talk with me at all times of the day and, even during non-school hours, email me back quickly with helpful information if I have a question or concern.
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  Tarik

  Graduation Year: 2024 
  
  

  I joined Crystal in 6th grade because the moment I did my first shadow, I thrived in the community. There was not a moment that I was not laughing and smiling, enjoying the flush of the experience. I feel Crystal is a school that does not have too many specific peer groups and cliques, everyone mingles with one another, and due to the community being so small, everyone knows all of their classmates well. I really appreciate and enjoy the fact that when I joined Crystal, the teachers were keen on giving me the attention I needed. They were so welcoming in the fact that they made my transition as smooth as possible, I only wish that I had shown my gratitude to them even more.
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  Vas

  Graduation Year: 2025

  
  Ask me about Crystal’s theater program! I’ve been a member of the theater program at Crystal since I came in at 6th grade, and I’ve been a part of its productions ever since! Drama is an area I hadn’t really pursued until I came to Crystal, but it has been such an incredible experience so far. I’ve been able to pursue a passion that allows me to express myself in new and interesting ways. Most of all, it has let me meet members of the community I would’ve never gotten to know! The relationships and connections I’ve built through the program has been priceless.
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  Vishal

  Interests: Mock Trial, Basketball

  
  Graduation Year: 2024
  
  Joined Crystal: 6th Grade
  
  Hometown: Redwood City
  
  School attended before Crystal: Stratford School

  
  A 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!
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  Zayaan

  Graduation Year: 2025

  
  My favorite thing about Crystal is the closeness and kindness of all the kids in the school. Coming from a huge public school where I didn’t know half the kids in my grade, I did not know what to expect at such a small school. But when I came to Crystal, I was joyfully surprised by the familiarity of everyone in the school. I noticed the close relationship that the students have with each other regardless of their grade, friend group, or interests. Through my two years at Crystal, I have become a part of this incredibly close community, and I absolutely LOVE it. 
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