In 2024, 100% of DREAM Charter High School’s graduating class have committed to a college or are pursuing a professional pathway. The Class of 2024—a cohort of 89 graduating seniors, 97% of whom are Black and/or Hispanic and 20% of whom have identified special needs—exemplify what’s possible when we believe and invest in every child and their dreams.

• The Class of 2024 includes DCHS’s first two Ivy League commitments: Columbia University and University of Pennsylvania.
• $2 million in grants and scholarships were awarded to DREAM seniors for their first year of college.
• One DREAM student was awarded the highly competitive QuestBridge Match Scholarship to attend Columbia University on a full academic scholarship.
• 82% will attend a four-year college or university, 2% have chosen a two-year college, and 16% are expected to enroll in a career pathway program.
• Of those who will attend a four-year college or university, 33% are headed to private, out-of-state public, or HBCUs; 38% to SUNY 4-year institutions including the high-ranking Binghamton and Albany campuses; and 29% to CUNY 4-year institutions, including Hunter and Baruch.
• 16 students have committed to Opportunity Programs (HEOP & EOP), accounting for 22% of all committed students.
• Students entering professional pathways will earn credentials in fields as wide-ranging as construction, culinary, pharmacy tech, electrical installation, and medical assistant programs.

Our outstanding postsecondary results are grounded in our values: above all, our work aims to support student choice and agency in all that we do. And for our graduating seniors, that’s a game-changer.

Read more about the Class of 2024’s accomplishments by clicking here.

The post DREAM’s Class of 2024 Postsecondary Commitments appeared first on DREAM.

A highly selective private school, Emory boasts just a 13% acceptance rate, so Kiarra worked with DREAM’s Director of College Briana Avery to prepare to apply Early Decision, a strategy often employed by students in affluent and private high schools. “Ms. Avery wanted to make sure we all got the same equal amount of opportunities,” Kiarra recalls.

Kiarra was confident Emory was the right choice for her, because DREAM’s college access resources—and its emphasis on finding the best postsecondary pathway for its students—more than prepared her for this next step.

Though Early Decision acceptances are binding, Kiarra was confident Emory was the right choice for her, mainly because DREAM’s college access resources—and its emphasis on finding the best postsecondary pathway for its students—more than prepared her for this next step.

Starting in 11th grade, Kiarra worked with DREAM’s Office of College Access and Postsecondary Success to begin the college application process. Counselors helped her create a personal “brag sheet,” a resource for those who would be writing her recommendations, and broke down the different components of application paperwork. They oversaw her work on tricky supplemental materials, and served as writing coaches for any essays. Kiarra says her counselors even helped her wade through her college research, which covered a wide range of factors, like academics, campus diversity, student groups, and even what kind of weather she could expect in her new city.

The preparation definitely paid off—in the smaller Early Decision applicant pool, Kiarra’s high grades and strong application stood out even more, making her the newest member of Emory’s class of 2027, and one of the first among her DREAM Charter High School classmates to finalize their college plans.

“It was a weight off my shoulders,” she says. “If you know where you want to go, Early Decision is a great tool in your toolkit.”

You can read more about the DREAM Charter High School Class of 2023 in the report below, and mark your calendars for June 23, when DREAM Charter High School will celebrate all the work of this amazing senior class at its graduation ceremony. Until then, follow along as we laud this class, tell some of our student’s special stories, and gear up for the big day.

The post The Class of 2023: Kiarra Walters appeared first on DREAM.

But even as Tyler reveled in his tremendous accomplishment, he knew pursuing his passions may mean a different path. A lifelong performer, he is part of the SCAN-Harbor Performing Arts Academy, receiving instruction in dance, theater, and singing from a young age. As a teen, the organization introduced him to the Garden of Dreams—a nonprofit that works with MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports to bring life-changing opportunities to young people—and his love of the stage continued to grow. At the 2022 Garden of Dreams youth talent show, Tyler wowed the crowd with a medley of 90s R&B songs, and this past December, he performed in a Knicks halftime show, opening the show himself.

“My biggest goal is to be an EGOT winner,” he says. “I know I can reach those heights. I want to do Broadway, be in film and television, and release music. I want to do it all and I feel I can.”

“DREAM has taught me that staying focused and determined will always lead you to bigger things. But being who you are in every space always matters.”

– Tyler Bennett ’23

Tyler’s love of performing and his desire to continue this passion motivated him to apply for a Garden of Dreams scholarship, with hopes to use the funding to pursue drama studies at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. Though Tisch was initially out of reach financially for Tyler and his family, the Garden of Dreams awarded him $60,000 over four years, just enough to make it a reality.

Faced with two amazing options, Tyler knew he had a difficult decision to make—become DCHS’s first graduate to take on the Ivy League, or pursue a path at one of the world’s most preeminent arts schools. Tyler remembers DREAM’s support in choosing his best fit, which ultimately led him to Tisch.

“DREAM has taught me that staying focused and determined will always lead you to bigger things,” he says. “But being who you are in every space always matters.”

You can read more about the DREAM Charter High School Class of 2023 in the report below, and mark your calendars for June 23, when DREAM Charter High School will celebrate all the work of this amazing senior class at its graduation ceremony. Until then, follow along as we laud this class, tell some of our student’s special stories, and gear up for the big day.

The post The Class of 2023: Tyler Bennett appeared first on DREAM.

“I’m very sensitive, but in tune with who I am,” she says. “I’m not afraid to speak about things that mean something to me, and advocate for my community.”

When thinking about her future college plans, Alicia admits that attending a Historically Black College or University wasn’t on her radar. But DREAM’s Director of College Briana Avery thought it would be a good fit, and encouraged Alicia to apply for a UNCF New York City Gray Scholarship, worth $50,000 a year toward the HBCU of her choice. After returning from winter break, the pair worked on completing the application together, tweaking materials and deciding which HBCU would be the best fit.

“Going to an HBCU means leaving a legacy at a school that’s made for you, not against you.”

– Alicia Caldwell ’23

It wasn’t long before Alicia got an all-caps message from Avery telling her to check her email. When she did, she received the life-changing news that she earned a Gray Scholarship—and that college would be fully funded. What’s more, she was one of just 10 students throughout the city (and one of two at DCHS!) who had earned the honor. “I ran out of the cafeteria,” Alicia recalls. “Ms. Avery was waiting for me. It was a sweet moment.”

Now headed to Clark Atlanta University, Alicia is excited to start her journey towards working in Atlanta’s fast-paced sports industry, as well as immersing herself into her new school’s campus community, just like she did at DREAM.

“There are a lot of schools with kids who don’t look like me,” Alicia says. “Going to an HBCU means leaving a legacy at a school that’s made for you, not against you.”

You can read more about the DREAM Charter High School Class of 2023 in the report below, and mark your calendars for June 23, when DREAM Charter High School will celebrate all the work of this amazing senior class at its graduation ceremony. Until then, follow along as we laud this class, tell some of our student’s special stories, and gear up for the big day.

The post The Class of 2023: Alicia Caldwell appeared first on DREAM.

It was then, however, that Ishmael realized making a decision was actually going to be the hard part. His deciding factors kept coming down to cost, rather than the best fit for him and his future plans. Ishmael’s first choice, Binghamton University, had the strong business programs that he wanted, as well as a lively campus community and competitive athletics. It was also the top choice of Ishmael’s DREAM advisors, who knew the school’s graduation rate for minority students was significantly higher than his next best option, a huge factor in a student’s likelihood to persist through college.

“Money is the first thing people think about when they go to college. Close the Gap will help get you there.”

– Ishmael Manon ’23

Ishmael’s college counselor advised him to apply for DREAM’s Close the Gap initiative, which provides critical funding for students whose first-choice college did not meet their full financial need. He was awarded a grant of $6,000 per year, making Binghamton a reality. And, Ishmael wasn’t alone. This year, DREAM offered $68,000—an average of $8,500/year—to cover the financial aid gap for eight graduating seniors to attend their first choice college. Since the initiative started, DREAM Close the Gap recipients are collectively attending schools with an average institutional graduation that is 6.5x the national average for low-income students, a number that also exceeds the national graduation rate for all students.

This July, Ishmael will enroll in Binghamton’s Educational Opportunity Program, which will give him an early taste of college life and the chance to take several introductory courses before his freshman year starts this fall. Because of Close the Gap, he had agency over his college decision, and the opportunity to find the place that will best support his future.

“Money is the first thing people think about when they go to college,” he says. “Close the Gap will help get you there.”

You can read more about the DREAM Charter High School Class of 2023 in the report below, and mark your calendars for June 23, when DREAM Charter High School will celebrate all the work of this amazing senior class at its graduation ceremony. Until then, follow along as we laud this class, tell some of our student’s special stories, and gear up for the big day.

The post The Class of 2023: Ishmael Manon appeared first on DREAM.

At DREAM, we know that finding best-fit college pathways for our students increases their chances of college persistence. With supportive academic environments, limited financial burdens, and campus communities where they can thrive, DREAM graduates have even greater chances to fulfill their visions of success. This year’s outstanding postsecondary results are grounded in our values: above all, our work aims to support student self-direction and agency in all that we do.

Here are just a few highlights for the Class of 2023:

• The Class of 2023 achieved a 100% acceptance rate to college and professional pathways for those who applied, including the school’s first-ever Ivy League acceptance.
• DREAM seniors were awarded a total of more than $2 million in grants and scholarships for their first year of college, including two DREAM students who were among 10 in NYC to be awarded the prestigious UNCF Gray Scholars scholarship, valued at $50,000 per year toward any HBCU. A third DREAM student was awarded the highly competitive QuestBridge Match Scholarship to attend Boston College on a full ride.
• DREAM’s Close the Gap grants offered $68,000—an average of $8,500/year—to close the financial aid gap for eight graduating seniors to attend their first-choice college. On average, Close the Gap recipients are able to attend schools with a graduation rate that is 6.5x the national average for low-income students.

You can read more about the DREAM Charter High School Class of 2023 in the report below, and mark your calendars for June 23, when DREAM Charter High School will celebrate all the work of this amazing senior class at its graduation ceremony. Until then, follow along as we laud this class, tell some of our student’s special stories, and gear up for the big day.

The post The Class of 2023: DREAM’s Postsecondary Commitments appeared first on DREAM.

Over the course of a week, students participated in a wide range of enrichment activities, from learning traditional Batik Fabric-making, visiting the historic sites of Accra, and honoring the memory of enslaved African people who were taken from the shores of Ghana centuries ago.

Below, several DCHS students share their reflections and photos from Ghana, and recount certain experiences that made an imprint on their hearts and minds. You can find more photos and videos from DCHS’ study abroad trip by visiting our gallery on DREAM’s Facebook Page.

The post Trip of a Lifetime: DCHS Students Study Abroad in Ghana appeared first on DREAM.

Their DREAM journey began when longtime employee Judy Padilla told their mom about a local program that was then called Harlem RBI. “My mom was like, You’re going,” recalls Alex, who’s now a third-year Legend at Skidmore College.

At the time, RBI was an afterschool and summer baseball league – but the Ruiz boys are quick to assert that it meant so much more than sports. “It gave me my first set of friends,” Alex says. “It was a guiding force. Without RBI, I would have been lost.”

His brother Blaise, now a senior in high school, agrees, describing how baseball taught him to be a team player, even working his way up to become captain of his team. “It took me from selfish to selfless,” he says. Now, years later, DREAM staff helped him with his college and financial aid applications, just as they did with his older brother.

“It was a guiding force. Without RBI, I would have been lost.”

Alex Ruiz Jr., third-year Legend at Skidmore College

This sort of generational change takes stamina and community support. It requires a willingness to evolve and a passion for serving each generation’s unique needs. Collectively, this work represents the harvest of seeds sown into the ground thirty years ago on the abandoned lot that would become the Field of Dreams. And now, as DREAM builds new schools and welcomes new families, we’re setting the stage for impact that will be felt for generations to come.

After all – 15 years ago, Alex and Blaise were little kids on the field for the first time, and this summer, they’ll be coaching their own REAL Kids teams at DREAM. Because at DREAM, our young people recognize the importance of coming back and paying it forward for their community, just like others did for them when they were program participants. Alex calls that “seeing both sides of the coin.”

That’s what is possible when we dream together. When a community is powered by its people – when every member has a stake in its success – that’s what has kept DREAM standing for 30 years. That’s time enough to bear witness to the power of playing the long game – the game we only win when we play together, stand together, dream together.

The post Meet the Ruiz brothers – all five of them. appeared first on DREAM.