DREAM: Specialized High School Institute (SHSI) 2024

DREAM-SHSI is a Saturday and summer 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 2024 will run from Spring 2024 to Fall 2024

The DREAM-SHSI program is set to launch throughout all five boroughs in March 2024, spanning 10 Saturdays during the spring. Following this, the program will extend for five weeks throughout the summer and conclude with additional Saturday sessions in the fall of 2024, leading up to the SHSAT examination.

  • Spring Sessions: 10 Saturdays, March 2 - June 1 2024
  • Summer Sessions: Monday-Thursday, July - August 2024 
  • Fall Sessions: Saturdays, September 2024 - until the 2024 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.

  • Students from all New York City school districts are eligible if they meet income and academic requirements.

Part A

Students must:

  • Be a current NYC resident
  • Be enrolled in the seventh grade in a DOE public or charter school
  • Score a minimum of:

    • 3.2 or above on both the 2023 grade 6 New York State Math Test and grade 6 New York State ELA 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 attend a school that has an economic needs index above 63%

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 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 fill out this supplemental eligibility survey here with your child’s information.

For questions, please email SHSI@schools.nyc.gov