What We Offer

LeAp develops and implements innovative programs that use the arts and a variety of hands-on activities to stimulate curiosity, foster creativity, and improve students' academic performance. LeAp brings capable teaching artists and experts into the classroom to work with students and teachers, conducting workshops and residencies at schools, shelters, and museums. In addition, they lead professional development workshops with teachers, facilitate parent engagement activities, and present educational assembly performances. LeAp also conducts teacher training courses at universities. LeAp also produces educational materials, such as our Global Understanding/Cultural Literacy book series, that allow teachers to implement proven LeAp strategies and approaches in their classrooms.

All of our programs are highly adaptable, and we customize in-school residencies according to each classroom's particular needs. Whether you're teaching young children or teens, a mixed-level classroom, or a special needs group, we have something for you. Learn more about our offerings below.

How Our Programs Work
Wondering how a LeAp in-school residency might be implemented in your classroom? Here's an overview of the process, from your selection of the program to its successful completion.
Find a Program
All of our hands-on, project-based programs are aligned with the New York State standards in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and the arts. Use this page to search all available programs by grade level, subject, arts discipline, or special population.
Find LeAp Materials
To help educators bring arts-based learning to their classrooms, we've developed a variety of lesson plans, curriculum guides, DVDs and video training tapes, and literature anthologies. Browse our list of teaching materials on this page.
Global Understanding/Cultural Literacy Program
Our Global Understanding/Cultural Literacy Program and book series allows students in grades K-12 to explore literature from 12 countries and gain insight into the cultural attitudes and values of different people. The program can be used in high school classrooms as a resource to help students prepare for their Global Regents exam.
ALLL K-2 (Active Learning Leads to Literacy) Program
The Active Learning Leads to Literacy Program (ALLL K-2) uses drama, visual arts, music, creative movement, cooking, games, and storytelling to improve young and emerging readers' decoding skills, vocabulary, language fluency, reading comprehension, and writing skills.
ALLL 3-5 (Arts Learning Leads to Literacy) Program
Following the success of ALLL K-2, we've initiated Arts Learning Leads to Literacy for grades 3-5 (ALLL 3-5), which uses visual arts, music, dance, and more to teach writing and reading comprehension. As with ALLL 3-5's predecessor, the results show dramatic improvement in students' test scores and reading levels.
ALLL 6-8 (Arts-Based Learning Leads to Literacy) Program
Following our success in both K-2 and 3-5, LeAp initiated ALLL 6-8. This program uses writing, visual arts and theater to teach writing in English Language Arts and social studies classrooms.
LeAp OnStage Program
LeAp brings you the LeAp OnStage Program---an exciting theater program in which students write and direct their own one-act plays. Five of the plays make it to a professional theater, where students perform them for an audience of their peers, theater professionals, and others.
American History Comes Alive Program
An exciting collaboration with Columbia University's History Department and the Carl C. Icahn Charter School, the American History Comes Alive Program seeks to improve the instruction of American history by training teachers in innovative educational strategies and increasing student achievement outcomes.
August Wilson Program
High school students study renowned playwright August Wilson's work, and learn about the African-American experience in the 20th century. Students learn monologue techniques and ultimately perform a Wilson monologue for celebrity judges and a live audience in school, at a citywide competition, and finally at a Broadway theater with students from across the nation. In addition, students attend an August Wilson play on Broadway and meet with Broadway professionals.
Public Art Program
Students are empowered to speak out on important issues in their communities through the creation and public exhibition of art in NYC parks. Middle school students address the issues relevant to them including gangs, violence, drugs, the environment, health care, etc. and create works of public art that express their ideas and concerns. The program culminates in a opening event at Union Square Park with the students' work on display, followed by a 10-park citywide summer exhibition.
Gifted and Talented Program
LeAp recognizes that gifted students have special needs too, and all of our programs can be adapted for this population. In our Gifted and Talented Program, students create board games on subjects that interest them. LeAp is currently planning an Innovators and Ideas Conference, at which students can share ideas with professionals who use creative problem solving in their everyday lives.