DREAM Charter School opens in the Bronx

With enthusiasm and optimism, the South Bronx community officially launched the DREAM Charter School.

A new school located in a historic brick industrial building at 20 Bruckner Boulevard in the Mott Haven neighborhood.

“We need schools like this and space for children so they can learn, so they have everything they need. All the resources here to receive a good education,” said Clarisa Alayeto, DREAM’s Director of Government and Community Affairs.

“Today marked the official ribbon cutting for DREAM Charter School at 20 Bruckner! Joined by so many members of the DREAM family, we formally welcomed the next phase of DREAM. Thank you to everyone who made this moment possible and helped us bring it to life.” get to where we are today”, read a message on social networks from the organization wearedream.

Today marked the official ribbon-cutting for DREAM Charter School at 20 Bruckner! Accompanied by so many members of the DREAM family, we formally welcomed-in the next phase of DREAM. Thank you to all those that made this moment possible and helped us get where we are today. pic.twitter.com/gSrBC4Tsxi

— DREAM (@wearedream) January 19, 2023

The building was redesigned by the famous architect Sir David Adjaye and the old red bricks can still be seen on top of some of the walls in the corridors and classrooms, in what used to be an ice factory.

The renovations, on all 5 floors, include grand ballrooms with tall windows offering picturesque views of the neighborhood’s new condominium skyscrapers, a cathedral-ceilinged library, ballrooms, and sports arenas, among others.

“Everyone enjoy this beautiful space, enjoy the magnificent view of the Manhattan skyline, enjoy the beautiful scenery of The Bronx and all that comes with it,” said Vanessa L Gibson, Borough President of The Bronx.

Gibson also posted a message on social media about the opening of the Charter school.

“Congratulations to DREAM Charter High School! Today was the ribbon cutting of their new campus located at 20 Bruckner Boulevard, a new, state-of-the-art school located in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx.

“Dreams do come true!” Gibson noted.

Congratulations to DREAM Charter High School! Today was the ribbon cutting for their new campus located at 20 Bruckner Boulevard, a brand-new, state-of-the-art school located in the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx.

Dreams do come true! pic.twitter.com/IIUyoyRaNp

— Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson (@bronxbp) January 19, 2023

The iconic 120-year-old, 200,000-square-foot building was abandoned for more than 30 years and will now be home to more than 1,300 students from this community.

The educational establishment will have levels from preschool to high school, in fact, in January they welcomed more than 400 12th grade students.

And under the same roof will be the DREAM Post Secondary Success program, which aims to help high school seniors transition and explore potential careers.

“I hope students can really appreciate the space they have, I went to a different high school and it was nothing like this. When they come every day I know they can see it and feel it, but now seeing them in space is really wonderful,” said Alex Ruiz, coordinator of the Dream Post Secondary Success program.

DREAM is a network of seven charter schools spread between East Harlem and The Bronx. It mostly serves minority students, those living below the poverty line, and students with special needs.

Students are selected through a lottery process.

If you want to apply, and for more information, visit the website wearedream.org/enroll.