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Ready to join the DREAM family? Apply today and join us for the 2025-26 school year.

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dream provides youth with opportunities to play, learn, and grow.

Our mission is to level the field by empowering all children to recognize their potential and realize their dreams. If you’re looking for a school with high expectations and a culture of care – a school you can call home – read on. If you’re ready to apply, you can do so below. We can’t wait to welcome you!

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“I have never witnessed a school full of teachers and staff who genuinely love their children like DREAM does. I will be forever grateful for responding to that welcoming email inviting my kindergartner to join DREAM Charter School. Best decision I’ve ever made.”

- Shereece, DREAM Parent

Our Whole Child Model

DREAM’s education model is all about the promises we make to our families – the things we’ll never compromise on. You can learn more about our commitment to rigorous academics; social-emotional learning; family engagement; and athletics, health, and wellness right here.

DREAM operates on an extended-day, extended-year basis, and we believe that model is crucial to student success. Learn more about our free summer programming.

Our impact

DREAM’s model balances rigor with joy to serve the whole child. It works, and it shows.

  • DREAM scholars consistently outperform their statewide, citywide, and district peers in both ELA and Math.
  • DREAM Charter School has a 96% graduation rate.
  • 97% of DREAM scholars who enroll in our summer programming maintain the academic gains made during the school year.

and it doesn’t stop at academics

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when our community needed us most, DREAM stepped up. From March 2020 onward, DREAM distributed the following, at no cost to our families:

1,100

Chromebooks

100

Wifi hotspots to support remote learning

10,000

bags of fresh produce and nonperishable goods

18,000

meal kits containing breakfasts, lunches, and snacks

$200k+

of direct financial assistance to 300 families impacted by the pandemic

“As a new parent, you can imagine so many fears, and one thing I am so thankful for was DREAM being able to not minimize my fears, but just hold on to the fact that we are here with you, together. That togetherness, which is one of DREAM’s maxims… everyone says that, but really, DREAM is family.”

- Samantha, DREAM Parent

explore our schools

Ready to learn more and explore our schools? You can do so below.

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96%

of families feel their child's identity is valued at DREAM

95%

of families are satisfied with the opportunities to be involved in their child's education

92%

of families report their child is leaning what they need to excel in college and beyond

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 typically 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 by scrolling to the top or bottom of this page. We are currently enrolling for both the current and upcoming school year.
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.
Where is DREAM located? Does DREAM offer busing?
DREAM has locations in East Harlem (K-8), Mott Haven (K-12), and Highbridge (K-2 and 6). Our Highbridge location will grow by one grade each year as it expands to serve PK-8. 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?
We welcome all kids at DREAM, and our classrooms have an integrated co-teaching model (with two teachers in every elementary school 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.
Is DREAM accepting applications for the current school year?
Yes - DREAM fills seats as they open, so you can always apply for the current school year. To apply, you can fill out a regular application; there will be a space to indicate that you're applying for the current school year.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions or want more information?
Please email enrollment@wearedream.org - we're here to help and will get back to you as soon as possible!
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