Before coming to D-E, History Department Chair, Arika “Ari” Easley-Houser taught at Rutgers Prep and several colleges and universities, including Montclair State University and New York University. A socio-cultural historian focused on United States history, she received her Ph.D. from Rutgers University and a certificate in school management from the Harvard Business School. She was recently selected for a National Association of Independent Schools Fellowship for Aspiring School Heads. Now in her third year of heading the department, Easley-Houser speaks to the importance of historical inquiry for students and how the history curriculum must reflect and respond to the diversity of students. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
An INSPIRE-ing Conversation About Indigenous Peoples
The Upper School’s INSPIRE club, led by Cam Gennardo ’26, Hayley Cohen ’27, Maia Haber ’26, and Evelyn Chow ’27, recently hosted an open discussion dedicated to Native American Heritage Month. Student leaders presented on the history of the observance, the diaspora it...
11.14.25 US Class Dean Update
11.14.26 Interim Comments and Grades-In-Progress
Poetry Sharing Across Divisions
D-E’s English Department strives to give students seasonal opportunities not only to write with intention, delving into topics that are representative of who they are, but also to share these words with the broader community. For instance, yesterday The Imperatore...
Don’t Miss ‘A Monster Calls,’ With Performances Tonight Through Saturday!
The premiere of ‘A Monster Calls,’ the annual D-E Fall Play, is upon us! Don’t miss this poignant ensemble show, with a cast and crew of students in Grades 8-12. Showtimes are TONIGHT at 4:00 PM, Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:00 PM, and Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2:00 PM and 7:00...
D-E 360° ACE Chess and Robotics Tournament Highlights
Students in our D-E 360° Aftercare & Enrichment (ACE) programs—particularly our Chess and FIRST Lego League (FLL) Robotics teams—are off to a strong start! Earlier this month, we hosted the annual D-E Intersquad Chess Tournament in Hajjar Auditorium. Our Chess Team in...
Ninth-Grade Workshops Prep Freshmen for Life in the Upper School
Ninth graders at D-E recently participated in a three-part series of workshops over the course of four weeks to help them in their transition to the Upper School (US). The workshops were based on a program US Principal Kim Lalli P’35,’37 designed years ago for the...
Lower School Students Celebrate Veterans Day
As part of a recent Lower School (LS) Assembly, several students acknowledged Veterans Day by proudly sharing personal stories and photos of family members who have served or are serving in the military. Noni J. ’36 began by introducing her Uncle Troy, who is...
Don’t Miss the Fall Play, ‘A Monster Calls’!
D-E Performing Arts is excited to present the annual D-E Fall Play, “A Monster Calls,” with performances in Schenck Auditorium on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 4:00 PM; Friday, Nov. 14, at 7:00 PM; and Saturday, Nov. 15, at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM! This is a heart-wrenching story...