DREAM: Specialized High School Institute (SHSI) 2026

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 will run from Spring 2026 to Fall 2026

The DREAM-SHSI program provides 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. All sessions take place in-person at a school in or near a student’s residential district. Below is the schedule for accepted eligible DREAM students for 2026:

  • Spring Sessions: Saturdays from March-May
  • Summer Sessions: Monday-Thursday, July 6 - August 6, 2026
  • Fall Sessions: Saturdays, September 2026 - until the 2026 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 2025 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
    • 3.3 or above on the ELA 2024 grade 6 New York State ELA Test and a 3.3 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, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 27, 29, or 32

OR

  • Live and attend school in NYC school districts 1, 2, 3 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31 and meet the income requirements based on federal guidelines, as informed by the family income inquiry form, completed by families for their schools in the fall. Families will then need to give permission to use their income information as part of the application process.

 

Potentially eligible students will be able to apply through MySchools in mid-December 2025. For questions, please email SHSI@schools.nyc.gov.