The Nueva School

This page contains information about The Nueva School the 2021 greenribbon schools award selectee.

Students walking from the outdoor classroom

The Nueva School serves students in grades P-12 at two campuses: the Hillsborough campus serves lower and middle school divisions, and the San Mateo campus serves the upper school division. The Hillsborough campus offers nearly 34 beautiful wooded acres for environmental exploration, including the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-certified Hillside Learning Center. In contrast, the entirely LEED Gold-certified San Mateo campus reflects a sustainable urban design and features easy access to public transit. Students engage in various waste reduction strategies ranging from a full plastic trash study in Kindergarten to upper-grade students making their campus paper-cup free by switching to reusable mugs and hosting zero-landfill events. In 2019, Nueva launched a new Environmental Citizenship Program to systematically develop specific policies that integrate environmental literacy across the curriculum and educational activities. Program staff partner with faculty and administrators to support curriculum-adjacent activities and create meaningful integration of ecological learning and performance criteria in Nueva's trip program, student mentoring in clubs, and individual projects.

Application (PDF)

Questions: California Green Ribbon Schools | GREENRIBBONSCHOOLS@cde.ca.gov | 916-322-2470

Last Reviewed: Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Trending in School Facilities

Recently Posted in School Facilities

The Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans (updated 10-Nov-2026)
The Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans (LRFMP) was revised in 2026, with updated guidance on master planning for local educational agencies and Proposition 2 requirements for school districts applying for School Facility Program Funding.
Key Components of a Facilities Master Plan (added 10-Nov-2026)
The elements of a typical facilities master plan (FMP) and guidance on what to include, how to organize the information, and why it matters, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Conclusion (added 10-Nov-2026)
A summary on master plans as living documents that reflect thoughtful educational goals and future planning, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Education Programs with Specialized Facility Needs (added 10-Nov-2026)
The importance of including specialized facilities in facilities master plans to meet the needs of educational programs and students with disabilities, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Additional Considerations and Planning the Future (added 10-Nov-2026)
Integrating sustainability, safety, accessibility, and climate resiliency into every stage of facilities master planning, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.

Appendix A (added 10-Nov-2026)
A table of Facilities Master Plan Elements vs. Proposition 2 Requirements, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Appendix B (added 10-Nov-2026)
A summary of additional required elements per Proposition 2, from the Guide to Long- Range Facilities Master Plans.
Facilities Master Planning Resources (added 10-Nov-2026)
Additional resources, facilities master plan (FMP) exemplars, and links to the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC) Guidelines for the Five-Year School Facilities Master Plan, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Introduction (added 10-Nov-2026)
An introduction of the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.
Facilities Master Planning Process (added 10-Nov-2026)
Best practices for launching a facilities master planning (FMP) effort, engaging stakeholders, and long-term planning, from the Guide to Long-Range Facilities Master Plans.