College Counseling
School Profile
School Profile
Founded in 1952, Crystal Springs Uplands School is an independent, coeducational, college preparatory day school located on the San Francisco peninsula. Serving grades 6-12 on two campuses, Crystal provides an intimate, collaborative community that encourages students to pursue their passions, explore new interests, build confidence, develop compassion and thrive in an environment of academic excellence.
With a 20% admit rate, Crystal enrolls 566 students from 101 elementary schools, 62 middle schools and five (5) high schools. Our student body reflects Crystal’s strong commitment to cultural, social and socioeconomic diversity. Six (6%) of the student body are first-generation-to-college students. Over half of the student body identifies as students of color, including 35% Asian, 23% multi-racial, 5% Latinx, 2% Black or African-American. Our generous financial aid program annually awards over $5M in grants to 20% of the student body. See complete 2021-22 School Profile.
With a 20% admit rate, Crystal enrolls 566 students from 101 elementary schools, 62 middle schools and five (5) high schools. Our student body reflects Crystal’s strong commitment to cultural, social and socioeconomic diversity. Six (6%) of the student body are first-generation-to-college students. Over half of the student body identifies as students of color, including 35% Asian, 23% multi-racial, 5% Latinx, 2% Black or African-American. Our generous financial aid program annually awards over $5M in grants to 20% of the student body. See complete 2021-22 School Profile.
Crystal is accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools and is a member of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the National Association of Independent Schools and People of Color in Independent Schools, among others.
Curriculum
Given the rigorous academic demands of Crystal, freshmen and sophomores take five academic courses. In order to maintain a balanced course load, juniors and seniors are strongly encouraged to take four academic courses only. Students need 21 credits total in order to graduate.
Crystal Springs Uplands School no longer offers AP courses. The curriculum was uncoupled from the Advanced Placement model in 2012 in order for teachers to design challenging courses which allow for more student-initiated projects, internships, investigative research and global experiences. (Read more.) These courses have been renamed, redesigned and designated Honors (H) on the transcript. While Crystal no longer offers AP-designated courses, students are able to sit for AP tests administered on site.
GPA Calculation
Grade point average (GPA) is calculated using all academic courses (PE and non-Crystal courses excluded) and is cumulative from the fall semester of 10th grade onward. Honors-level (H) courses are weighted by 0.3 Crystal does not rank students.
Crystal Springs Uplands School no longer offers AP courses. The curriculum was uncoupled from the Advanced Placement model in 2012 in order for teachers to design challenging courses which allow for more student-initiated projects, internships, investigative research and global experiences. (Read more.) These courses have been renamed, redesigned and designated Honors (H) on the transcript. While Crystal no longer offers AP-designated courses, students are able to sit for AP tests administered on site.
GPA Calculation
Grade point average (GPA) is calculated using all academic courses (PE and non-Crystal courses excluded) and is cumulative from the fall semester of 10th grade onward. Honors-level (H) courses are weighted by 0.3 Crystal does not rank students.
- Course Catalog 2022-23
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Course Selection Meeting for Grade 9-11 Families
Silde presentation from January 26, 2022
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.