April is Autism Acceptance Month, and that means a lot to us at DREAM, where nearly one-third of our students have special needs. That includes autism diagnoses, as well as a broad range of other academic and social-emotional needs across DREAM’s student population.  DREAM’s population of special needs students is higher than the average NYC […] The post ‘Not Just a Slogan on a T-Shirt:’ What It Means to Believe in Every Student appeared first on Imagine: The DREAM Blog ..read more

DREAM’s unique Grow the Whole Child education model is powered by four interconnected elements that drive transformative change for youth: rigorous academics; social-emotional learning; a deep commitment to family and community engagement; and a belief in the foundational importance of physical and mental health and wellness. With DREAM’s roots as a youth-serving nonprofit organization, that […] The post DREAM is Family: Meet Our DFACs appeared first on Imagine: The DREAM Blog ..read more

Research has proven that educational outcomes are stronger when students of color have access to teachers who share their backgrounds or life experiences. Yet, the percentage of educators who identify as Black or Latino across the country is staggeringly low, greatly outpaced by the growing diversity among students. At DREAM, where the percentage of students […] The post United in Fellowship: DREAM x NFBLME appeared first on Imagine: The DREAM Blog ..read more

This past fall, DREAM launched its new from-scratch food program, providing more than 1,000 DREAM Mott Haven and DREAM Charter High School students with free fresh and healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks each day. No small feat, this effort has been undertaken in partnership with Brigaid, a team of professional chefs who provide strategic program […] The post DREAM Spotlight: Brigaid Chef Persefoni Vordokas appeared first on Imagine: The DREAM Blog ..read more

It’s nearly Thanksgiving, and the cafeteria at DREAM Mott Haven is abuzz as elementary and middle school students grab trays of not just turkey, but sweet potato mash, stuffing, and baked apples. But this special meal is not just in celebration of the coming holiday. Free fresh and healthy breakfasts and lunches have become the […] The post From Scratch: DREAM Partners with Brigaid for Healthy School Meals appeared first on Imagine: The DREAM Blog ..read more

A month into the school year, the DREAM family has so much to celebrate. At the top of that list: news of DREAM’s 2022-23 New York State Test results, which have just been released. DREAM Charter Schools students—96% of whom are Black and/or Hispanic and 89% of whom qualify for free or reduced lunch—achieved the […] The post All Kids Can: Announcing DREAM’s 2022-23 New York State Test Results appeared first on Imagine: The DREAM Blog ..read more

For DREAM co-Chief Executive Officer Eve Colavito, the maxim “All Kids Can. This Kid Can.” is particularly meaningful. It is a guiding principle for how she leads DREAM and drives its mission forward, a core belief instilled from her childhood growing up in a family of educators, and a fact she’s reminded of each day […] The post DREAM Spotlight: Co-CEO Eve Colavito appeared first on Imagine: The DREAM Blog ..read more

Over the years, DREAM Legend Nicholas Feliz has served in many different roles at the organization—after ending his time as a program participant in 2016, he has served on the middle school programming staff, as a permanent substitute teacher at DREAM Mott Haven Middle School, and as an assistant flag football coach. But while all […] The post Looking Back on the DREAM Teaching Fellowship’s Inaugural Year appeared first on Imagine: The DREAM Blog ..read more

Earlier this month, DREAM celebrated its 2022-23 Teachers of the Year at the annual Dream Big Institute, an all-staff celebration of the past year’s biggest wins, and a kick-off gathering to prepare for the coming school year. Read on to learn more about the 2022-23 honorees. Carolyn Byrne, DREAM East Harlem Elementary School Pre-K Teacher […] The post DREAM’s 2022-23 Teachers of the Year appeared first on Imagine: The DREAM Blog ..read more

In New York City, a public charter school network that I have the honor of co-leading recently opened an unusually beautiful new campus in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx. It’s located in a 200,000-square foot, century-old former icehouse meticulously brought back to life after decades of abandonment. The New York Times recently […] The post The True Cost of Equity in Our Schools appeared first on Imagine: The DREAM Blog ..read more