Lower School Middle School High School
Lower School | Pre-K-Grade 4
Major entry points for the Lower School are the 4s and kindergarten; however, we also accept applications for non-entry years. Families should begin the admissions process one year prior to the student's intended entry date.
Applications for fall 2026 entry will open in August on Ravenna.
Complete an online application in Ravenna by December 1, 2025. There is a non-refundable application fee of $75. A fee reduction is available upon request to the Admissions Office.
If you experience any technical difficulties with the online application, please contact [email protected].
LREI offers tours and virtual information sessions to families interested in the Lower School. We strongly recommend that prospective families attend an admissions event to learn more about our dynamic program and progressive approach.
- Lower School tours are offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings from October through December for prospective families.
- Open House evening will be offered in October.
Registration for fall 2025 events will open in September. Reservations are required via Ravenna.
LREI does not require the ECAA test, administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB), for applicants to the Lower School.
Decisions & Notifications
LREI sends decision notifications in accordance with the guidelines established by the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY). Please set your email account to accept emails and notifications from [email protected] and [email protected].
Pre-K Notification Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Pre-K Parent Reply Deadline: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Kindergarten Notification Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026
Kindergarten Parent Reply Deadline: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Grades 1-4 Notification Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Grades 1-4 Parent Reply Deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026
Sibling and Alumni/ae Admissions
LREI offers the option of Early Notification for applicants in the 4s through ninth grade who are siblings of current LREI students, children of alumni (parent or guardian), or children of current faculty/staff. If you are eligible to participate in this program:
Click below for additional information.
Pre-Kindergarten (4s) through Fourth Grade Applicants
Parent Interview and Student Assessment
Once your application has been processed, the Admissions Office will call to schedule a parent interview and student assessment.
- LREI offers parent interviews for lower school families both in-person and via Zoom.
- Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students will be scheduled to participate in a small playgroup, while parents and guardians will meet with an LREI community member to learn more about our program.
- First through fourth grade applicants will be scheduled for an in-person student assessment with one of our lower school teachers.
Official Transcript and Teacher Recommendations
Candidate Evaluation Forms are required for all applicants to LREI. Forms are confidential and must be sent directly from the applicant’s current teacher/school to LREI. Applicants in grades 1 through 4 are required to submit official school transcripts.
Birthday Requirement
Applicants to the 4s and kindergarten must be 4 years old and 5 years old, respectively, by September 1 of the year they are scheduled to begin our program.
Middle School | Grades 5-8
Major entry points for the Middle School are fifth and sixth grades; however, we accept applications for non-entry years. Families should begin the admissions process one year prior to the student's intended entry year.
Applications for fall 2026 entry will open in August on Ravenna.
Complete an online application in Ravenna by December 1, 2025. There is a non-refundable application fee of $75. A fee reduction is available upon request to the Admissions Office.
If you experience any technical difficulties with the online application, please contact [email protected].
LREI offers tours and virtual information sessions to families interested in the Middle School. We strongly recommend that applicants and prospective families attend an admissions event to learn more about our dynamic program and progressive approach.
- Middle School tours are offered Wednesday mornings from October through December for prospective students and parents/guardians.
- Open House evening will be offered in October.
Registration for fall 2025 events will open in September. Reservations required via Ravenna.
Parent Interview and Student Assessment
Once we have processed your application, the Admissions Office will call to schedule a parent interview and student assessment.
Official Transcript & Teacher Recommendations
Official school transcripts and the Candidate Evaluation Forms are due by the supplemental materials deadline: January 8, 2026.
LREI requires three years of transcripts, including a report from the current school year. The Transcript Request Form and the Candidate Evaluation Forms are available on Ravenna.
LREI does not require the ISEE test, administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB), for middle school applicants.
Decisions & Notifications
Sibling and Alumni/ae Admissions
LREI offers the option of Early Notification for applicants in the 4s through ninth grade who are siblings of current LREI students, children of alumni (parent or guardian), or children of current faculty/staff. If you are eligible to participate in this program:
High School | Grades 9-12
The major entry point for admission to the High School is ninth grade. Families should begin the admissions process at least one year before the student plans to enter.
Applications for fall 2026 entry will open in August on Ravenna.
Complete an online application in Ravenna by December 1, 2025. There is a non-refundable application fee of $75. A fee reduction is available upon request to the Admissions Office.
If you experience any technical difficulties with the online application, please contact [email protected].
LREI offers tours and virtual information sessions for families interested in the High School. We strongly recommend that applicants and prospective families attend an admissions event to learn more about our dynamic program and progressive approach.
- High School tours are offered Tuesday and Friday mornings from October through December for applicant families who have completed the application.
- A virtual information session will be offered in September for all families interested in learning more about LREI. This session will be recorded and available upon request from the Admissions Office.
- An Open House evening will be offered in October to all families interested in LREI. No application is necessary to attend the Open House.
Registration for fall 2025 events will open in September. Reservations are required via Ravenna.
Student & Parent Interviews
Once we have processed your application, the Admissions Office will contact you to schedule an interview appointment (student and parent).
LREI participates in the ISAAGNY Common Essay. For students applying to high school there are several essay question options. Applicants should submit their essay on Ravenna by the supplemental materials deadline: January 8, 2026.
LREI requires a writing sample for admission to our high school program. The applicant’s writing sample should be an essay that they have completed in the current school year. The teacher’s grade, comments, and/or rubric should be included. Applicants should submit the graded writing sample on Ravenna by the supplemental materials deadline: January 8, 2026.
Official Transcript & Teacher Recommendations
Official school transcripts and teacher recommendations from a current math and English teacher are due by the supplemental materials deadline: January 8, 2026.
LREI requires three years of transcripts, including a report from the current school year. The Transcript Request Form and teacher recommendation forms are available on Ravenna.
LREI will not require an admissions test (ISEE or SSAT) for high school applicants for fall 2026 enrollment. Testing results shared with LREI will be considered as supplemental information. We support all students who apply to LREI, regardless of access and resources for standardized testing. We assess each applicant as an individual. For questions about testing and the application process to LREI, please contact Co-Director of Admissions Felicia Aikens at 212-477-5316, ext. 305.
Please use the instructions below if you choose to share testing results with LREI:
- To schedule the ISEE, please visit the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) website. Please select LREI as a school to receive your student's scores by entering our school code: 336195.
- To schedule the SSAT, please visit the SSAT website. Please type and select LREI as a school to receive your student's scores.
If you choose to submit testing results, please be sure to complete testing no later than January 8, 2026.
Decisions & Notifications
Sibling and Alumni/ae Admissions
LREI offers the option of Early Notification for applicants in the 4s through ninth grade who are siblings of current LREI students, children of alumni (parent or guardian), or children of current faculty/staff. If you are eligible to participate in this program:
