DREAM-SHSI is an academic program that prepares eligible 7th grade New York City public school students to take the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT) in the 8th grade.
DREAM-SHSI Sessions This Year
DREAM-SHSI 2025 will run from Spring 2025 to Fall 2025
The DREAM-SHSI program will operate in 2025 throughout all five boroughs providing comprehensive test preparation for the SHSAT, assistance with the NYC high school admissions process, including exploration of different high school pathways, and socio-emotional learning. Below is the schedule for accepted eligible DREAM students for 2025:
- Spring Sessions:
- For students that live in districts 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, or 32 there will be live instruction from 8:30-1:30pm on 10 Saturdays, March 8 - June 7, 2025
For those students that live in districts 1, 2, 3, 11, 13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 there will be asynchronous learning sessions to be completed remotely
- Summer Sessions: In-person, live instruction for all students; Monday-Thursday, July 7 - August 7, 2025
- Fall Sessions: In-person, live instruction for all students; Saturdays, September 2025 - until the 2025 SHSAT (Note: Attending the summer session is required to attend the fall session)
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for DREAM-SHSI students must meet all of the criteria below in part A and part B. Eligible students are contacted by their schools and through mailed letters to the student’s address starting in mid-December 2024 when the DREAM-SHSI application opens.
Part A
All students must:
- Be a current NYC resident
- Be enrolled in the seventh grade in a NYC district school or charter school
- Score a minimum of
- 3.25 or above on the ELA 2024 grade 6 New York State ELA Test and a 3.31 or above on the grade 6 New York State Math Test
Part B
Students must EITHER:
- Live or attend school in NYC school districts: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 27, 29, or 32
OR
- Live and attend school in NYC school districts 1, 2, 3 13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31 and attend a school that has an economic needs index above 63%
OR
- Live and attend school in NYC school districts 1, 2, 3 13, 15, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, and meet income requirements based on federal guidelines, as informed by the family income inquiry form, completed by families for their schools in the fall. If you believe your child qualifies through this means but have not been contacted by DREAM, then you can go to MySchools.nyc; if your child is eligible, you will see the DREAM-SHSI application in your child’s account.
For questions, please email SHSI@schools.nyc.gov.