PHOTO: The DREAM Charter School building in Mott Haven
MOTT HAVEN (THE BRONX) NEW YORK CITY: The DREAM Charter School, founded in 1991 and formerly known as Harlem RBI, envisions a four-pillared “whole child” model of rigorous academics, commitment to social-emotional learning, cultivation of children’s mental and physical wellness, and a commitment to an engagement of family and community>
Located at 20 Bruckner Blvd. in the Bronx in what once was the Ruppert Ice House: a brand new charter school for DREAM students has been constructed.
The new Bronx school has a capacity to serve 1,300 elementary, middle, and high school charter students, the six-story campus includes a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a STEM quad with laboratories, an art wing and library space, two cafeterias, and a rooftop yard for outdoor classes and garden.
Each school will be housed on a separate floor.
The 188,000-square-foot building, housed in a building that was vacant for over two decades, is now a learning institution designed by Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye, who led the design of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C, among others.
At a ribbon cutting for the school Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson described the school as a beacon of hope that provides New York City youth an opportunity to rise above challenging circumstances and environments.
There are currently 142,500 charter school students — comprising 15 percent of all NYC public school students — across over 270 character schools — most are based in the Bronx.
Four new Bronx charter schools were announced last year to open. The borough has 94 charter schools, just four more than Brooklyn.
Manhattan has 56 charters, Queens has 27, and Staten Island has 8, according to the New York City Charter School Center.
A majority of charter school students are considered economically disadvantaged.
DREAM classes currently have a 12:1 student teacher ratio, according to the school’s website.
DREAM students guaranteed a spot in the free after school and summer programming to keep students engaged all day.
The programming provides academic support, social-emotional learning, sports, and youth employment opportunities.
Students are selected through a lottery process which is free to apply for.
