What if college wasn’t a distant possibility but a natural expectation? At DREAM, we believe post-secondary preparation begins early — and includes giving every student the chance to step foot on a college campus.

By graduation, DREAM students will have visited multiple college campuses and developed sophisticated understanding of their post-secondary options. This isn’t accidental. It’s the result of a deliberate strategy that touches every single one of DREAM’s 2,200 students. This is because college visits are a network-wide expectation across all DREAM schools — every elementary, middle, and high school campus organizes annual trips, ensuring no student misses this critical exposure.

Elementary: Building foundation and exposure

“If we talk to them about college, it’s like this idea, this myth, this concept,” explains Quioni Phillips, Dean of SEL and Community at East Harlem Elementary School. “But taking a trip to college brings it to life in a way that makes college more of a reality for them.”

This spring, 120 fourth and fifth graders from East Harlem Elementary visited the University of Pennsylvania, partnering with MAKUU, the university’s Black cultural center. The strategic partnership ensured that DREAM’s predominantly Black and brown scholars saw themselves reflected in prestigious academic environments.

The impact was immediate. Students returned saying, “I want to go to college” and “I want to go to UPenn.” Meanwhile, 240 students in grades K-3 experienced Juilliard through an on-campus performance, learning that excellence in any field — including music — requires dedicated study.

Middle School: Expanding horizons

At Mott Haven Middle School, Academic Dean Levar Jackson ensures all 280 students across grades six to eight visit college campuses. “All students will go because we want them to have the exposure,” he explains. Each class is randomly assigned to different universities — Yale, University at Albany, and Temple University — with three classes per grade, ensuring maximum reach. The preparation varies by institution. While Temple and Albany offer self-guided tours, Yale requires advance scheduling and features current Yale students sharing their experiences directly with DREAM scholars.

The impact is profound. Students are now asking pointed questions about GPAs and researching college eligibility requirements in 8th grade. They’re learning about tuition and financial aid, creating what Jackson describes as a “tight race for valedictorian” as students track him down to learn their current GPAs. Parents are equally enthusiastic, asking for ways their children can experience all three schools and requesting even more exposure opportunities.

“When you hear from the Dean and teachers it’s one thing, but when someone else outside of the school tells you, our students realize the importance of their GPAs.”
Levar Jackson, Academic Dean at DREAM Mott Haven Middle School

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High school: Strategic matching and real impact

By high school, college visits become highly targeted. Briana Avery, Assistant Principal of College at DREAM Charter High School, ensures all 486 students visit at least one college campus annually through carefully orchestrated day trips and overnight experiences.

The approach is intentionally differentiated. Freshmen visit aspirational institutions like Yale (for young men) and Bryn Mawr College (for young women), designed to set high educational goals when students aren’t yet “burdened with GPA stress.” Sophomores and juniors experience overnight trips to institutions like Trinity College, Boston University, and Brown University. They also visit schools with Educational Opportunity Programs, such as Ithaca College, SUNY Oswego, and Siena College — programs that provide crucial support for first-generation college students. Day trips target schools aligned with students’ academic profiles, including trade programs at institutions like Monroe College, ensuring every student sees viable post-secondary pathways.

We’re proud to share that every single 2025 DREAM graduate earned college acceptance, and 100% have committed to their post-secondary plan. Our graduates are heading to Ivy League institutions, top public universities, small private colleges, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and career-focused programs across the country.

Transforming mindsets

The program’s impact extends beyond impressive statistics — over 1,000 students visiting 25+ different campuses annually. The real success lies in shifting student mindsets. “They go in thinking the options are just business, engineering, doctor, or lawyer,” Avery explains. “Then they get on campus and hear about Africana Studies, history departments, language programs, and schools where you can create your own major.” Students are discovering academic paths they never knew existed and having career conversations that broaden their horizons significantly.

Parent response has been overwhelmingly positive, with near-universal participation rates. Parents often request more frequent trips, appreciating that DREAM removes financial barriers by covering all costs — including memorable college crewnecks that students treasure. “Always a good sign when a parent allows their kid to go on an overnight trip,” Avery notes. “It shows they’re excited about their child’s future and colleges outside the city or state. And that they trust us.”

The impact: Class of 2025

The impact of this comprehensive approach is evident in DREAM’s outcomes. We’re proud to share that every single DREAM graduate earned college acceptance, and 100% have committed to their post-secondary plan. Our graduates are heading to Ivy League institutions, top public universities, small private colleges, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and career-focused programs across the country. In total, they submitted 1,906 college applications — an average of 23 per student. Their final choices represent a wide range of schools, including Columbia, Vanderbilt, SUNY and CUNY campuses, and many more across the nation. 

The long view

DREAM’s comprehensive K-12 approach stands out for its intentionality and scale. The visits provide practical benefits for college applications, helping students demonstrate interest and refine their college lists. Most importantly, the program serves students regardless of their ultimate choice — some affirm their interest in trade programs while others discover new academic passions. The program exemplifies DREAM’s core mission: ensuring every student can dream big and has the exposure needed to turn those dreams into reality.