Important News from LREI

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM LREI 

October 17, 2022

Dear LREI Community, 

I write to share important news; news of an arrangement that will bolster the strength of our school. LREI has reached an agreement with Blue School that will likely result in a significant number of their students and families joining our community for the 2023-2024 school year and beyond.

Since September 2020, Blue School has been experiencing enrollment declines due to a number of factors, many of which were exacerbated by the impacts of the pandemic. These factors had an outsized impact on smaller, less well-established schools like theirs, creating an increasingly precarious financial situation that threatened their long-term viability. 

Despite making every effort to create a stable financial future, Blue School came to the difficult decision that it will not operate beyond the current school year. Anticipating this potential outcome, Blue School explored various options to care for their families, including the possibility of entering into an agreement that would provide their families with a chance to continue their educational journey together at a school closely aligned with the one they initially chose for their children. 

We see significant value for LREI in pursuing this type of agreement with an institution like Blue School and fortunately, we are in a position to do so. This is not a merger or direct partnership, but an agreement where we will extend an offer of enrollment to every Blue School student allowing them to join the LREI community in the Fall of 2023.

LREI is an established institution with a deep history in New York City and we have the stability and facilities to seamlessly welcome every Blue School family to our community. Expanding our school community by opening our doors to a neighboring school that shares a remarkably similar mission, vision and values is beneficial for all.

Many Blue School families already see LREI as their high school of choice. These students have been a wonderful addition to our high school community, beginning with Blue School’s first graduating class. They have succeeded academically, established themselves as community leaders, and have had great success in our college guidance process. It seems logical that they would consider joining the LREI community a few years earlier and we look forward to the opportunity to welcome these same vibrant, creative students into all LREI grades.

It’s important to emphasize that this will not change our mission to provide a progressive education that teaches children to be independent thinkers who work together to solve complex problems – in fact, this strategic agreement will strengthen our community and enhance our programming. Having a more robust enrollment offers additional programmatic and social opportunities. 

I know it would be appreciated by many in our community to have an opportunity to speak about this arrangement. I have scheduled the following meetings for families in order to provide you with a chance to speak with me and each other and to ask any questions that you may have.

• Tuesday, October 18, 8:30a.m. – 9:30a.m. in-person, Sixth Ave. cafeteria.

           (The Art Auction meeting previously scheduled for this time will be rescheduled.)

• Tuesday, October 18, 6:30p.m. – 7:30p.m., on Zoom.

• Wednesday, October 19, 8:45a.m. – 9:30a.m. in-person, Sixth Ave. cafeteria.

While we are sad to lose an important member of the New York City independent school community, I hope that you share our excitement for the future and will join us in our efforts to welcome Blue School students and families into our community. 

Thank you and please do not hesitate to be in touch.

Sincerely,

Phil Kassen                                                                          Jim Harris

Director                                                                                Chair, Board of Trustees