As stated by Board Head and parent Jim Harris, “Being able to see the long arc of our progressive curriculum (in each division) and how it is applied at each grade level is fascinating.” With each classroom visit, the band of Trustees collected the cumulative LREI experience: witnessing passionate students thinking independently and working to solve complex problems. "It was an inspiring day," added Trustee and parent Angie Vieira Barocas. "To experience the full 14-year (LREI) experience in tiny, precious moments reaffirms both the mission of the school, as well as the decision to have our children attend." Although parents were engaged within the classroom, it was the one-on-one conversations with students after class that provided another unique insight, "Hearing seniors speak about their own social awareness and all that the LREI experience has afforded them was invaluable," Barocas concluded.
Trustee and parent Dawn Eig echoed the aforementioned sentiment of seeing the mission in action. "During Deborah's (Hodge) fourth grade class, the students discussed making laminated voter registration cards. The topic kick-started a great conversation about the importance of voting."
Following a sequence of classroom activities, Trustee Michael Patrick '71 recounted the visceral memory of entering the Sixth Avenue building. "Vibrant," he stated. "The students, the teachers, the environment, the program. And colorful. The walls, each classroom, particularly in the Lower School, were exploding with color and life. I felt nourished. And motivated."
For Trustee, parent, and alum Tim Merjos '80, the school's dedication in encouraging students to "bring meaningful change to the world," after their LREI years is of particular significance, his daughter will graduate from LREI this academic year. "These students are ready to go out and make a difference," he declared. Trustee and parent Yukie Ohta agreed, "Our morning visit culminated with the senior class luncheon. To hear of their future plans to 'make meaningful change in the world' was very inspiring."
To learn more about LREI's curriculum, visit 'Our Program' at LREI.org, and LREI.org/admissions.