For Prospective Families

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.

Our Model

DREAM Charter Schools develop lifelong learners who make positive change in their communities and the world. Here’s how.

Rigorous Academics

DREAM’s curriculum prepares students to succeed in high school, college, and beyond. Across its network, DREAM serves 2,500 students from pre-k to pre-college, and our scholars consistently outperform city and state peers in ELA and math.

Whole Child Approach

We believe a scholar is defined by more than grades. We care for every aspect of your child—physical, mental, and social-emotional—through a range of enrichment activities that include sports, arts, and wellness programming.

Inclusive Environment

We embrace diversity and use multiple methods to reach every learner. We welcome scholars with special needs and IEPs as well as English Language Learners.

Family Engagement

Our families are critical partners. They visit our classrooms and we visit their homes. We work together to provide the best for our scholars.

Extended Day/Year

We offer free, nationally recognized after-school and summer programs that help our scholars become confident, competent, and caring community members.

Our Impact

DREAM’s model works, and it shows.

DREAM scholars have outperformed their statewide, citywide, and district peers in both ELA and Math for three years in a row.

DREAM scholars made larger overall gains in ELA than statewide, citywide, and district peers.

27% of DREAM’s population are scholars with special needs compared to New York City’s 20%.

DREAM special education scholars outperformed city peers and district peers on both ELA and Math.

“I love this school. My child has excelled and keeps getting better each and every year.”

-DREAM Charter School Parent

Family Survey Results

100%

of families feel welcome at DREAM

97%

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

98%

of families say that DREAM has high expectations for their child

97%

of families report that their child is learning what they need to succeed in college and beyond

“DREAM Charter School is a good neighbor, eager to serve its community... The vibe throughout is sweet and calm.”

DREAM Charter School is a staff pick at InsideSchools. Read more at our InsideSchools profile.

Explore our schools

Students are enrolled in DREAM through a lottery, and it’s free to apply. Here’s what you need to know.

Signed applications must be received by 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 1, 2021 to be eligible for the lottery. Applications received after this date will be placed on the waiting list in the order in which they are received.

Ready to join the DREAM family? Let’s get started.

Online Application

Applications for the 2021-22 school year are open until April 1, 2021. Applications received after this date will be put on a waitlist in the order they are received.

Step 1: Choose language

Step 2: Create account

Step 3: Fill out application

Submit online application >

Print Application

Please mail applications to DREAM Charter School, 1991 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10029.

Questions? Contact enrollment@wearedream.org.

Want to learn more before applying?

Request info about DREAM East Harlem here.
Request info about DREAM Mott Haven here.