World Literature: World Voices, Individual Stories:
What does a shapeshifter, a werewolf, and a teenager have in common? All experience significant transformations that alter them physically and emotionally. In this world literature course, we will read texts that span genre, region, and time period to explore the theme of transformation, examining characters’ internal transformations and those that occur in the world around them. We will be asking ourselves questions such as: How do transformative experiences change our understanding of ourselves and the world around us? In what ways do our relationships — with family, with friends, with ourselves, with the world — shift as we ourselves change? What power does the individual have to change themselves and their communities?

World History:
The 9th-grade history curriculum begins with the dawn of civilization and ends with a look into our future. During the first trimester, students explore the power of collective learning and the emergence and spread of civilization. In the second trimester, the class looks at the dawn of the modern age, analyzing the roles of capitalism and the industrial revolution in the creation of a new global society. In the third trimester, students focus on the 20th century; global conflict, globalization, and humanity’s impact on the environment. We ask: Is a sustainable global community possible? Throughout the year, the class emphasizes analytical writing and research skills. Ultimately, this course enables students to understand the development of our global society, as well as the challenges facing humanity in the 21^st century.

Mathematics:

Making Sense of a Messy World

The ninth-grade mathematics course guides students to make sense of a messy world together. Through group work and discussion, they will develop the skills and experience to apply mathematical modeling and digital tools as well as habits of collaboration, analysis, and reflection to real-world problems. We will integrate concepts from statistics, algebra, geometry, and graphing, finding connections between each subject and discerning when one lens or another is most valuable for the problem at hand. We believe problem-solving is the heart of mathematics, and in this course, we will practice making challenging problems manageable with discipline, cooperation, and creativity. This class is the first of a two-year core sequence that will prepare students for math electives program, standardized tests, advanced study in college, and living and working in a highly technical democracy as mathematically-savvy citizens.

French, Spanish, and Mandarin:
The world language program at LREI encourages students to use reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in real-world contexts. The classes emphasize collaborative learning, authentic engagement with culture and history, and creating safe environments for students to take risks. Students are encouraged to continue studying the language they have been studying since middle school. Students enrolling in French II, Spanish II, and Mandarin II are recommended to have two previous years of instruction in the language, whereas students in Spanish I should have one year of previous instruction. Students who would like to begin studying a new language have the opportunity to study Mandarin in an introductory class. Placement takes place in the Fall. Native speakers of French or Spanish should plan to take Mandarin.

Chemistry: 
How do we know anything about the tiniest components of matter when we can’t see them directly? How can our observations at the human scale tell us what must be true at a subatomic scale? In our ninth-grade chemistry class, students learn to do the work of chemists so that they can understand how scientists made (and continue to make) these discoveries. The class begins by developing a particle model of matter and seeing how to use it to describe, explain, and predict observable phenomena. As situations increase in complexity, students carry out experiments that allow them to “upgrade” their model with new features. Some topics that are explored throughout the year include density, states of matter, energy storage and transfer, describing and sorting substances, counting particles that are too small to see, the internal structure of atoms, chemical changes, and making predictions about the quantities of substances involved in a reaction. This class is filled with activities, experiments, and student discussion as we work together to develop our own ideas about the nature of matter.

9th Grade Arts Rotation:
In 9th grade, all students take a rotation of Studio Art, Music, Photography, Dance, Media Arts, and Drama (order varies). The classes are designed to provide all students with foundational skills and habits and are appropriate for both experienced students and students with no prior experience in the area. All of the courses are project-based and emphasize personal expression, artistic process, collaboration, cultivation of focus, and acquiring the vocabulary of constructive critique. Students also get to choose an art to focus on after completing the rotation. 

9th Grade Life Lab:
9th Grade Life Lab is a unique, integrated program that supports 9th graders in their transition to LREI. Classes meet once a week and cover a range of topics throughout the year including study skills and metacognition, personal health, public speaking and presentation skills, and digital and information literacy.

Physical Education:
Physical education at LREI emphasizes fun, good health habits, discipline, and teamwork. Classes take place during X-Block and after school, and encompass a range of interests from team sports to yoga, martial arts, and weight lifting. All students are required to do PE in all three trimesters. Students are exempt from PE if they are participating in a sport or have a significant out-of-school sport or dance commitments. Waivers are granted at the discretion of the principal.