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.
Class of 2033: 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony Highlights
D-E’s 5th Grade Moving Up Ceremony for the Class of 2033 was significant not only because it marked the transition from Lower School to Middle School for 47 of our students, but also because it was the first Moving Up with Mr. James Choi as the LS Principal and Ms....
6.16.26 Thank You and Summer Wishes
MS Students Engage in the Art of Poetry
The Middle School is alive with the sound of poetry! The spring edition of Poetry Connections recently took place for grades 6-8. “As part of a culminating—and reflecting—activity, all Middle School students have written an ode to their grade,” explained Ms. Patel,...
End of Year MS Message – 6/11/2026
6.11.26 Reflections & Looking Ahead to Summer
LS Early Childhood Field Days
Tiny feet take on Field Day! The Lower School’s PreK 3 and PreK 4 classes recently visited Leggett Field for their first-ever Field Day, facilitated by Ms. Michelle Carstens-Potts P’37,’40, Health & Wellness Chair, who organized activities that she said, “centered on...
5th Grade & 8th Grade End-of-Year Celebrations
As part of year-end festivities for D-E students moving up to the next division, 5th and 8th graders recently gathered with their class for cool treats and a picnic, respectively. The Class of 2033 enjoyed an outing on Graham Field, where the Scream Truck was waiting...
MS Students Showcase Innovative Projects Presented at the Bergen SciChallenge
Full STEM ahead! Ten of our Middle School students recently represented D-E at the Bergen SciChallenge, standing out in a highly competitive field of more than 175 student presenters across the state. After placing an impressive first in Mathematics and Computer...
Third Graders Share How They Made a Difference This Year
Third Graders Making a Difference (TGMD), a Lower School year-long service-learning curriculum founded 12 years ago by Ms. Michelle Sussmann and co-led by Ms. Rachel Brainin P ’23, ’25, recently culminated in a TGMD Assembly attended by 3rd grade families. To begin...
Students Find Their Dancing Feet at D-E
As a continuation of its celebration of dance, the Upper School’s Dance@D-E program, facilitated by Class of 2027 Dean Stephanie “Tuc” Tucker, recently hosted professional dancer and choreographer Chris Mangual to teach a dance class that was open to anyone interested...