When Zach Nesby (DSST: Conservatory Green ‘25) started middle school, he wasn’t thinking about college. But his mom was. She chose DSST for its rigorous academics and college prep, believing it would open doors for her son.
“She thought there would be more opportunities,” Zach said. And she was right.
Now a senior, Zach has applied to 17 universities across the country—and so far, he’s been accepted to 14.
His journey started back in sixth grade, where college wasn’t just a distant goal—it was woven into daily conversations. “If you go to DSST, they get you ready for college fresh out of elementary school,” Zach recalled. “I remember they would say, ‘We're going to get you ready for high school and college at the same time.’”
By the time high school rolled around, DSST’s personalized college counseling helped him take that preparation to the next level. “My college counselor, Mr. Mejia, has been a real help,” Zach said. “He tells me what schools are good for my major—Clinical Psychology. He’s on me about the FAFSA. He keeps me updated on scholarships. He even emails my family…so my mom is also on me about these scholarships.”
Zach also credits Overgrad, DSST’s college planning platform, for helping him navigate applications and scholarships. But academic preparation was just one piece of the puzzle.
Beyond the coursework and college prep, Zach found something even more meaningful at DSST: a supportive, inclusive community, a place where he could be his funny, entertaining, authentic self. “This school is very accepting,” he said. “They don’t care who you are or what you look like—if you’re here to learn, you’re welcome here. It’s rare to find a group of students like that.”
From his teacher advisors to his friends in Black Student Alliance and Christian Youth Group (a club he founded), Zach found a space where he could grow—academically, emotionally, and personally. “I feel like I wouldn't be the person I am today without them,” he said. “They built me up. They helped me education-wise. They helped me emotionally. They helped me succeed.”
And as he looks ahead to college, he knows he has a whole team cheering him on. “My mom is really proud of me,” Zach said. “She’s proud of me knowing what I want to do—and going after it.”