DREAM Highbridge Middle School

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Currently enrolling for Grade 6

1162 River Ave, Bronx, NY 10452

Welcome to
DREAM Highbridge Middle School

At DREAM Highbridge Middle School, everything we do is guided by our Whole Child model: the belief that every child needs and deserves not only rigorous academic instruction, but also social-emotional support, physical health and wellness, and the strength of a community behind them. When children are known, seen, and loved, that’s when they have the space to grow into the leaders, innovators, and changemakers of tomorrow.

At a glance

30:2

student/teacher ratio

2

teachers per classroom as part of our unique integrated co-teaching model

Every year

DREAM scholars outperform their city and state peers in testing

voices from our community

“One thing I would tell future students is that DREAM is going to make you feel welcome, like family."

- Khalil, DREAM Charter High School graduate

Meet Principal
Cora Neville

Cora Neville, Founding Principal of Highbridge Middle School, joined DREAM in 2022. She is committed to ending educational inequity, cultivating a supportive learning environment, and empowering students with choices.
read her bio

Cora Neville

Middle School Principal

Cora Neville, Founding Principal of Highbridge Middle School, began her career as a middle school science teacher in Brooklyn through Teach for America. There, Cora took on roles such as Science Dean of Instruction, STEM AP, and Principal in Residence while simultaneously piloting their Living Environment course. Cora joined DREAM in 2022 as the 4th and 5th grade Academic Dean and Principal in Residence at DREAM East Harlem Elementary School.

During her time at DREAM, Cora has strengthened the culture across 4th and 5th grades at EHES and raised the bar for rigor in all of her classrooms. In addition to writing the Earth Science Curriculum for 8th Grade at DREAM, she was also a founding member of the DEI committee and has led the intentional development of Grade Team Leaders at EHES.

Cora holds a bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and a Masters in Childhood Education from Fordham University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in STEM at Columbia University. Cora is honored to transition into the Principal role where she can continue her commitment to ending educational inequity, cultivating a supportive learning environment, and empowering students with choices.

place matters

At DREAM, we believe that every child deserves a beautiful space to play, learn, and grow. The power of place – including being deeply embedded in a community – is critical to our education model.

Highbridge’s permanent home at 1162 River Ave, Bronx, NY 10452 opened its doors in Fall 2024. This 85,000 sq ft space has capacity to serve students in PK-8. Currently, we serve grades K-2 and 6 at our Highbridge location and will grow by one grade per year. Like all our schools, it is a space that our families are excited and proud to learn in, equipped with beautiful, inspiring features to help our scholars play, learn, and grow.

Our scholars have access to the following facilities and features, and more:

  • Full-size gymnasium and cafeteria
  • Rooftop playspace
  • Technology lounge
  • Onsite occupational therapy, family coordinators, and more
  • Part of a large affordable housing development for Bronx families
  • Easily accessible from the 4, B, and D trains, as well as the Bx35, Bx1, and Bx2 bus lines (only steps away from Yankee Stadium!)

our curriculum

Our middle school curriculum is built upon the foundation that students learn best when they grapple with engaging content that is rigorous and relevant. That means rigorous instruction that allows children to think critically and imaginatively. Subjects include:

  • English Language Arts
  • Math
  • Intervention
  • Science
  • Social Studies and Debate
  • Advisory
  • Physical Education
  • Electives: Art and Music

Free Afterschool & Summer Programming

Every DREAM Highbridge Middle School student is guaranteed a spot in our free afterschool and summer programming. That's because we believe that an extended-day, extended-year model is key to nurturing scholars' whole selves, keeping students engaged all day long and all year long through a mix of academic support, social-emotional learning programming, sports-based programming, and enrichment activities like field trips.

Once your child is enrolled for the fall at DREAM Highbridge Middle School, they can get a head start on their DREAM journey that summer; all incoming students are guaranteed a spot in our summer programming.
Learn more about summer at DREAM

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a charter school?
Charter schools are public schools, free and open to all, that have the autonomy and freedom to design classrooms that meet the needs of all students. Every charter school network has its own principles and practices, which can result in different outcomes for students and families. At DREAM Charter Schools, all teachers are NYS-certified and we are committed to a model that welcomes every child and serves all of their needs - academic, social-emotional, and physical.
What is DREAM’s application process?
Students are selected through a lottery process, and it’s free to apply. Applications must be submitted by the lottery deadline, which is in early April; applications received after the deadline will be placed on a waitlist in the order in which they are received. You can apply online or by using a print application, which are available in English, Spanish, and French. You can access online and print applications at www.wearedream.org/enroll.
What are DREAM’s hours? Does DREAM offer afterschool programming?
Breakfast is from 7:30-7:55. The school day begins at 7:45 am and ends at 4:00 pm, with afterschool continuing until 5:45 pm. In a typical year, Friday dismissal is at 1:00 pm or 5:00 pm for scholars participating in afterschool. All DREAM scholars are guaranteed a spot in our free afterschool programming, as well as our free summer programming.
Does DREAM Highbridge Middle School offer busing?
Busing is currently only available for students who have an IEP that requires transportation.
What kind of support does DREAM offer for children with IEPs and/or special needs?
DREAM believes in every child, and 29% of our students have identified special needs. All our classrooms are have an integrated co-teaching model (with two teachers in every classroom) as well as onsite counseling, speech language therapy, physical therapy, hearing support services, occupational therapy, and paraprofessional services. 100% of IEP services are provided in person. For our students without IEPs, DREAM offers Tier 2 Support services in the form of both academic and social-emotional interventions.
Do you offer English language learner services? If so, what services are offered?
DREAM offers two models for English Language Learner Teaching, depending on the student’s needs. In the Stand-Alone Model, ELLs/MLLs are taken out of the mainstream classroom for a block of the day to receive language support through a designated ELL curriculum. Lessons emphasize building speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills to improve both academic and social language and accelerate progress in the core classroom. In the Integrated Co-Teaching model, the ELL/MLL teacher comes into the mainstream classroom and works with the content area teacher to provide extra language support to ELLs/MLLs. It is a collaboration between the general education or content teacher and the English as a New Language teacher.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions or want more information?
You can reach out to enrollment@wearedream.org. We’re here to help and will get back to you as soon as possible!
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