DREAM

We’re celebrating a big win for ALL KIDS at DREAM. New York State test results are out and we couldn’t be more proud.

For the third consecutive year, DREAM students are raising the bar:

→ 75% proficient in Math — 20 points above NYS and 18 points above NYC
→ 69% proficient in ELA — 16 points above NYS and 13 points above NYC
→ 70% proficient in 5th grade Science — 25 points above NYS

While the results are astounding, the story behind the numbers makes them all the more impressive.

Last year, 33% of our students in grades 3-8 were brand new to DREAM, many arriving well below grade level. The proficiency of new-to-DREAM students grew +21 percentage points in ELA and +22 percentage points in Math!

Additionally, 25% of DREAM students have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or special needs. These students with IEPs gained ground and narrowed their performance gap to their general education peers by 9 percentage points in ELA and by 8 percentage points in Math.

HUGE shoutout to our DREAM Debate Team for making history and showing out with excellence, brilliance, and pride! 🗣️🏆

Sophomore Onisea Meredith took FIRST PLACE at The New School tournament—her first time breaking to finals and earning a half-qual for states! Just one year ago, she was new to debate and didn’t qualify for finals, but she never gave up. With support from DREAM Debate Coach Marie Connor and her own unstoppable drive, Onisea made a powerful comeback that reminds us all what resilience can do. 💪✨

And on April 5, Destiny Adams became the first DREAM student ever to break at the New York State Congressional Debate Championships, advancing to the semi-final round and ranking #11 out of 108 of the best debaters in the state. Even more incredible—Destiny is also the first student from a Title I school to reach elimination rounds at the NY State Congressional Championships since digital records began in 2014.

We also celebrate Madison Wheeler and Onisea again for making their presence known as standout legislators, earning ballots that praised their impact, questioning, and insight in every round. 🙌

To Coach Marie Connor: thank you for your leadership, dedication, and belief in our students. Your work continues to open doors and inspire greatness. 💙

Let’s give it up for our debaters—true examples of what it means to DREAM big!