DREAM Program

Dream stands for:

  • Determination
  • Resiliency
  • Enthusiasm
  • Ambition, and
  • Motivation

DREAM is a Saturday and summer academic program that prepares eligible seventh-grade New York City public school students to take the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) in the eighth grade.

DREAM 2022

DREAM is excited to plan for our 2022 cohort.

In winter 2022, the new program eligibility for students finishing 7th grade will be posted.

For questions, please email SHSI@schools.nyc.gov


DREAM 2021

The DREAM program will return as a remote program with live instruction in summer 2021! Please see eligibility requirements below.
If a student applies and is accepted, they commit to participate in the entire program.

In 2021, the program will run:

  • July and August for students who just finished grade 7, Monday–Thursday for five weeks
  • September–October of eighth grade, Saturdays only

DREAM-SHSI Application and Enrollment Process

  • Letters to eligible students will be sent to their homes and schools by the end of March, with instructions on how to apply.
  • Applications must be completed by April 9 .
  • Families do not need to send DREAM-SHSI any information to show eligibility
  • Families apply by following the application instructions in their letters.
  • If there are more applications than available seats, a random selection will be conducted, and a waitlist will be created.
  • Offer letters will be mailed to families and schools in early May.
  • Classes will start in July 2021.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for DREAM-SHSI students must meet all of the criteria in Part A, and one of the criteria in Part B:

Part A

Students must:

  • Be a current NYC resident
  • Be enrolled in the seventh grade in a DOE public or charter school
  • Score a minimum of:
    • 3.0 on the 2019 grade five English Language Arts, and
    • 3.75 on the 2019 grade five Mathematics NY State tests

Part B

Students must EITHER:

  • Meet income requirements based on federal guidelines, as informed by the family income inquiry form, regardless of district of residence.

OR

  • Live or attend school in NYC school district 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, or 32.

For questions, please email SHSI@schools.nyc.gov