A Pre-K-12 Progressive Education

Today’s Founder’s Day was very special. The whole school met at Thompson Street to gather, sing, and watch the Founder’s Day play. We will miss one of the long-standing performers in our play, high school history and English teacher Michel de Konkoly Thege (swipe for a clip!).

Students spent time with their buddies and enjoyed ice cream in honor of LREI’s history — our new custom flavor, Little Red Berry and Chips!

We hope you have a great spring break!

This morning, the 3rd graders had their Lenape Share! Students recreated in their classroom the life of the Lenape in Mannahatta (present-day Manhattan) around 1525. They made clothes, built the scenery, and created artifacts based on their culture!

It feels like spring today at Houston Street’s Ballfield!

Congratulations to the Fours on a beautiful music share! They sang, danced, played instruments and gathered with their grown-ups for a sing-along! 🎼

This morning the cafeteria at Sixth Avenue was bustling with parent volunteers pitching in and sharing their time and talents on behalf of LREI. From annual fund letter writing to framing and wiring art, our parent volunteers are THE BEST!

We interviewed some of the teachers that saw yesterday’s dress rehearsal performance of “Matilda” and this is what they had to say about the new high school musical:
- “One of my favorite books of all time, so much fun to see students bring it to life!”
- “Their voices, the dancing, they are all amazing!”
- “It is top to bottom, excellent!”
- “It’s such a professional production!”
- “It’s hilarious!”
- “It’s just really creative, funny, and cute!”

Don’t miss the chance to see this new production, premiering today at 6PM at Charlton Street’s PAC!
Other showtimes:
Friday 2/28 at 7PM.
Saturday 3/1 at 2PM and 7PM.

Yesterday, students from both sections of the 11/12 Photography electives visited Andrew Kreps Gallery and got to meet the exhibiting artist, Roe Ethridge. He shared about his process and ideas and helped connect his work to the students’ current exploration of Modernism and Post-Modernism.

A couple of days ago the kindergartners took over our cameras and headed out to explore what was happening in the school! They found a busy art classroom with 2nd graders working enthusiastically on their paper maché favorite animals. These are the pictures they took of the process!
📷: TBK students

Happy 100th Day of School, LREI! This morning, the lower schoolers celebrated with a gathering in the auditorium. As a special treat, they enjoyed a couple of songs performed by the cast of the upcoming High School musical “Matilda.”

Today’s Professional Learning day was titled “Deep Learning in an AI World.” Faculty and staff gathered to examine what it means to learn in today’s world and the world of tomorrow alongside expert futurist Dr Ulcca Joshi Hansen. #poweredbythefundforlrei

The judges score cards came in and the seniors are this year’s winners of the lip-sync battle! Congratulations to all the students and teachers who participated. Amazing performances!

Congratulations to our varsity girls team who won the ISAL playoff championship!🏆
The final game was not easy as the Knights had to come from behind in the second half to pull out the win over BWL. LREI was undefeated in the league and next week they will represent the ISAL in the NYSAIS tournament beginning Wednesday. Go Knights!

As part of the Lunar New Year celebration, students in the Asian affinity group learned how to make dumplings! Also, the 8th grade went to the museum of Chinese in America to look at artifacts describing the Chinese experience over decades in the United States.
Don’t miss the Lion Dance performance tomorrow at 3:15 PM at Little Red Square.

We found the 2nd graders busy in science class learning about the different parts of the human skeleton and their functions.

Congratulations to everyone who participated at Friday’s Coffee House. Amazing performances! 🎤🎸🎺

This morning the Lower School celebrated Black History Month and had very special visitors, the Middle School BSU. Together they sang songs, honored the memory of changemakers and shared the stories of people that inspire them today.

The 6th, 7th and 8th grade Robotics team is preparing for their upcoming tournament at the First Lego League qualifier event at David A. Boody school in Brooklyn. Come support! Competitions will be all day this Saturday. 🤖

On Friday, the 3rd graders had their Music Share at the Sixth Avenue Auditorium. They showcased their skills on several musical instruments, they sang songs and even performed an Irish folk dance!

Happy Lunar New Year, LREI! The High School celebrated with an assembly at the PAC. All of the Mandarin students from 9th to 12th grade, worked together on films, music and incredible performances!

Congratulations to our 4th graders on this morning’s Music Share performance. Great job everyone! 🎼

Today, LREI welcomed The Sonny Rollins Jazz Ensemble from Oberlin College and Conservatory! The Middle School gathered at the PAC for a very special music performance. They had the opportunity to ask questions and join the band on stage! Fun fact: the ensemble’s current bass player is none other than LREI lifer Milei Sagan, Class of ‘22!

It's a beautiful day to be on the roof and the Fours know it!

This morning the 8th graders learned about the concept of universal design, and then engaged in a design sprint where they were given a space to design: living/working/socializing/learning. They were challenged to consider creating spaces where the most people could not only access the space, but could enjoy and thrive within the space.
Our 8th graders tackled this challenge with so much creativity and ingenuity, and as they worked they discovered the ways that planning for space, access, furniture, light, air, color, texture with limitations in mind ultimately create spaces that benefit everyone.

As part of their math and social studies classes, the 2nd graders are tallying and categorizing all of the cans that were collected at their Canned Food Drive. They have collected over 600 cans! A record number, thanks to the donations made by the LREI community. These cans will be delivered to City Harvest, an organization that helps provide food to people in need.

First snow day of the year! ☃️

Welcome back, LREI! We are so happy to see everyone across the campus ready to take on 2025!

Today’s Winter Assembly was full of song, laughter, and hope for the new year to come. So special to have all the school together before the winter break. See you in 2025, LREI!

We loved seeing so many alums back at LREI for the Larry Kaplan Alumni Basketball Game and Happy Hour! LREI’s varsity basketball players teamed up with alumni for an epic game in honor of our beloved former coach and teacher, Larry Kaplan.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in last night’s Winter Concert and a big thank you to all the teachers behind these amazing performances! 🎼

Don’t miss the chance to see the new Middle School play, “The Witch’s Princess” at Charlton Street’s Performing Arts Center, tonight at 7PM, and tomorrow at 2PM and 7PM! 🎭
Link for tickets in our bio 🎫

Congratulations to everyone who performed at Tuesday’s Afterschool Instrumental Concerts! 🎹🎸🥁

For their culminating project in math science class, 5th graders are using their knowledge of decimals, averages, Newton’s Laws of Motion and simple machines to design working models of new playground equipment that are fun, safe, creative, and accessible to different user groups.

This morning at LREI was full of song and dance! The 10th graders showed us some moves at Charlton Street’s PAC, while the Early Childhood Community Sing-Along took place at the Sixth Avenue auditorium!

This morning at the Middle School meeting, students and teachers got a special preview of the upcoming Middle School play, “The Witch’s Princess.” The play premieres this Friday, get your tickets now on the link in our bio!

This week in Social Studies, third graders imagined that they were archaeologists studying artifacts to learn about life in long ago time periods. They then created tableaus using their bodies and the artifacts, as if they were designing dioramas for a museum!

The 12th graders visited the 4th grade to share the children’s books they wrote and illustrated for their Immunology and Public Health class explaining how the cells of the immune system respond to infections.

The middle and high school bands and ensemble members had the opportunity to see a live band perform today at the PAC! “The Bad Mothas,” led by trumpeter Wayne Tucker, played their music and answered some of the students’ questions about what it means to be in a group and the discipline of practice. They also shared their personal journeys to becoming musicians. 🎺

This morning we celebrated our Lower School Gratitude Assembly! Thank you to our 4th grade emcees for hosting. The gathering that was full of song, dance, and moments of reflection (swipe). So much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving, LREI!

Yesterday morning, parents of the LREI Class of 2025 provided a “Senior Surprise” to celebrate the class as they arrived at school. Donuts, apples, and cheers to encourage our seniors to keep working hard in their classes, on their teams, and in completing their college applications. Go Class of 2025!

This morning, we heard one of our students say as they walked inside the LREI Book Fair: “This is my heaven.” 😊
Stop by Sixth Avenue today, tomorrow and Friday, and find great books for all ages! 📚

This morning, the 4th graders received a special guest, author and illustrator, Sharee Miller, and the 4s welcomed the author of “Can You Hug a Forest”, Frances Gilbert. 📚

Yesterday, the 7th graders stopped by the kindergarten classrooms for some much-needed Buddy Time!

This morning, the 4th graders had their farm share! They hosted a farm poetry slam in the auditorium, sang a song with their grownups in their classroom, presented their art inspired by the trip, and had treats to remember the food of the farm! 🫏🐄🐓

Yesterday, we celebrated our high school athletes at the Fall Sports Awards ceremony. Congratulations to all the teams on a fantastic season! Go Knights!

By order of the Queen, your presence is required at Charlton Street’s Performing Arts Center to witness the new high school play, “Shakespeare in Love.”
Showtimes: today at 6 PM and tomorrow at 7 PM. Saturday: 2 PM and 7 PM. 🎭
Get your tickets! Link in bio.

At LREI, how do we help our students construct a meaningful understanding of democracy? One way is field work!
Today our 4th grade and high school students put their feet on the ground, walking to polling sites to ask voters about their experiences of voting, and about the issues that matter most to them.
Our student journalists in high school, led by teacher Brian McCabe, also traveled to polling sites in Staten Island to hear from voters as they worked to deepen their understanding of what voters care most about in this election.

This morning, the third graders used their social scientists skills to analyze different posters from voting campaigns. They answered questions like: What message do you think the artist is trying to convey? Who do you think the poster is intended for? What does it make you think about?

Happy Halloween, LREI! We found amazing costumes this year. Swipe for some pictures of the day! 🎃

Today, the High School came together for Democracy Day to discuss issues that are relevant to the upcoming election. Students attended workshops on different subjects to gain a better understanding of American democracy.

Thank you to @lrei.pa and all the volunteers for making the LREI Halloween Fair possible, one of the most fun events of the year! 🧛🏼‍♂️🧙‍♀️🎃👻

This morning, the 4th graders had their farm share. They recreated some of the delicious food they had at the farm and shared stories and artwork inspired by the trip with their grown ups.

There’s always something exciting happening at Peggy’s Woodshop! This time we captured the 2nd graders busy crafting their own creations.

And they’re off! Have fun at the farm fourth graders. We can’t wait to learn all about it when you return. #poweredbythefundforlrei

Congratulations to everyone who performed in last Friday’s Coffee House! 🎤🎸

@lreicollegeoffice : The college apps keep rolling out…Happy Mid October to all of our seniors. Keep up the great work! Congrats to Suko, Isabelle, Claire, Ursula, Kai, Noah, Sydney, Ben & Brune. #lreiclassof2025

It was a special math morning at the Lower School today. Our students were busy in their classrooms while parents gathered for our first math coffee of the year led by Lindsey, our math consultant, and Jessie, a third grade teacher. Parents experienced the hands on ways that their children develop number sense, counting and problem solving skills.

This morning, the High School music class had a very special guest, electronic music composer Amy Knoles. In collaboration with CalArts, the 11th and 12th graders had the opportunity to receive an introductory music workshop into the world of electronic percussion using digital/analog drum machines and electronic controllers.

Today, in art class, the 1st graders were outside exploring the lines and shapes of our neighborhood.

This morning, as part of their World History class, the 9th graders participated in a simulation of the Silk Road. They recreated the trade routes through Afro-Eurasia from 1200 to 1300 C.E. to learn their impact on contact and innovation in the region.

Yesterday, the 4th graders visited Oko Farms in Brooklyn. They learned about all the different plants and aquatic animals that live on the farm and how they support each other in a symbiotic relationship.

Yesterday, the 11th and 12th graders visited the Hartley Lab in NYU. The Hartley Lab studies decision making and risk taking behaviors in adolescents using both online computer surveys / behavioral psychology assessments and in-person fMRI studies. The students had a chance to try these assessments themselves and to investigate a real fMRI machine and see sample fMRI data.  They also got up close and personal with different examples of human and animal brain tissue.  This was in connection with their Introduction to Neuroscience class, where they will discuss the brain regions involved in decision making and learn about the role of dopamine in learning and reward.

There’s a Friday feeling across Houston Street’s ballfield today!

Today, in math class, the 8th graders were investigating how volume and surface area change in relation to scaling a 3D figure.

Today, we visited the Sixth Avenue Auditorium during a storytelling class. The 7th and 8th graders practiced sharing stories out loud and discussed some key elements that make a good story intriguing and interesting.

The Film Club, the Knightly News, and the Instrumental Jazz Ensemble were some of the many clubs that were featured at yesterday’s X-Block Fair! It was a wonderful opportunity for students to talk to their peers and teachers about exciting ways to get involved at the High School.

This morning, the 2nd graders explored identity through self-portraits. Swipe to see some of their fantastic work!

The Afterschool program is back in action at LREI!

The tenth grade was out and about in New York City today! Our students visited several important cultural sites in their exploration of “What it means to be an American,” their theme for the year. Meanwhile, the ninth graders are getting better acquainted at Ramapo, setting the foundation for years of fieldwork and conversations to come!

Welcome to Charlton Street, high school students! Swipe for part two of our first-day-of-school photos.

Little Red Square was buzzing with excitement this morning! Happy first day of school, LREI!

Today, our faculty and staff gathered for back-to-school meetings! We welcomed new and returning teachers while Phil and Allison led us in a discussion about our progressive pedagogy and John Dewey’s theory of experience.

@lreidirector : Pride March ‘24 with LREI, Calhoun, ECFS, Collegiate, and Manhattan Country School. Join us on June 29, 2025!!

We present to you the LREI Class of 2024! Congratulations! We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see where your journeys will take you.

Congratulations on moving up to high school class of 2028 🎉🥳👏 Today’s celebration was thoughtful, funny, energetic, and a good time — just like all of you. Come back and visit often.

Congratulations on your Moving Up Ceremony, 4th graders! The Middle School is excited to welcome you in September!

This morning, the 5th graders spent time with their senior buddies and cheered for them as they rehearsed for their graduation ceremony!

The 2nd graders have been working on a city to meet everyone’s needs for their urban design project, which they named “Sunset City.” Students spent over three weeks researching, planning, and building.
For those of you who were unable to attend this morning’s presentation, swipe to check out a “helicopter view” of the city!

This morning, the kindergartners shared their school study with a focus on LREI staff members! They created dioramas of their work spaces, painted their portraits, and crafted tools. They also practiced their writing skills by interviewing the staff participants. Great job, kindergarten!

The 4th grade production of Liberty’s Welcome: A Story Through Their Eyes (Not Paved With Gold) was a culmination of the students’ yearlong social studies exploration. They dove into learning about early twentieth century immigration through research and field trips. Congratulations to the cast and crew and special thanks to all the teachers involved.

Today the 11th graders had their science sustainability poster session at the PAC. Their projects addressed different issues like waste, energy, and wild life conservation.

Congratulations to our 12th graders on last night’s Senior Project Presentations! Great job everybody!

Last night’s Spring Festival of Plays and Performing Arts was a wonderful display of poetry, theater, film, music, and comedy. Thanks to the students and faculty members who shared their work with the community. 🎭

This week the 1st grade classrooms were transformed into The Neighborhood Moonseum and Crater Cafe, and Craft Land! The guests that were lucky enough to get a reservation and a slot, enjoyed delicious food and amazing handmade crafts.

Two nights of amazing performances! Congratulations to all the students who participated.
Special thanks to the music teachers behind this year’s Spring Concert.
Swipe for some video highlights. 🎼

Congratulations to everyone who performed at Thursday's Coffee House and to all the students who published their artwork in this year's Literary Magazine!