Lrei

LREI describes its teaching philosophy as progressive education grounded in experience, inquiry, and collaboration. Students are treated as active knowers who build understanding through questions, discussion, fieldwork, hands-on projects, and meaningful social learning rather than passive absorption of information. The school emphasizes developmentally responsive teaching that fosters intellectual independence, democratic participation, and a commitment to justice.

LREI’s admissions process is organized by division, but across Lower, Middle, and High School families generally apply through Ravenna, are encouraged to attend tours or information sessions, and should begin about a year before the intended entry year; for Fall 2026, the main application deadline is December 1, 2025, with a $75 non-refundable fee and fee reductions available on request. (lrei.org) Lower School applicants (major entry points: 4s and kindergarten) complete a parent interview plus a student playgroup/assessment, submit confidential teacher/school evaluation forms, and grades 1-4 also submit official transcripts; children applying to 4s or kindergarten must be age 4 or 5, respectively, by September 1 of entry year. (lrei.org) Middle School applicants (major entry points: grades 5 and 6) have a parent interview and student assessment, submit three years of transcripts plus current-year records and candidate evaluation forms by January 8, 2026, and LREI says it does not require the ISEE for middle school. (lrei.org) High School applicants (main entry point: grade 9) complete student and parent interviews and submit a student essay, graded writing sample, three years of transcripts, and current math and English teacher recommendations by January 8, 2026; LREI says ISEE/SSAT testing is optional for Fall 2026 and any scores submitted are only supplemental. (lrei.org) Key decision dates listed on the site are February 5, 2026 for kindergarten, February 11, 2026 for grades 1-8, February 20, 2026 for grades 9-12, and February 26, 2026 for pre-K, with reply deadlines later in February or March depending on grade; priority categories are siblings of current students, children of alumni/ae parents or guardians, and children of current faculty/staff, who may use the optional binding Early Notification program for 4s through 9th grade (including a November 14, 2025 opt-in deadline and December 5, 2025 early decision date), while the admissions page does not spell out a formal waitlist policy and instead directs families interested in post-deadline Fall 2026 applications to contact the Admissions Office. (lrei.org)