7th Grade

Applying to High School

Homework Help

Have a Question about Homework? Call the Dial-A-Teacher Hotline at (212) 777-3380.

A qualified, licensed classroom teacher is available Monday – Thursday, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. when school is in session.

Learning Tips

Create a daily schedule. You should stick to your normal routine as much as possible. Wake up at the same time that you normally would and save the sleeping in for the weekends. After the school day is over, get away from technology for a bit before starting in on your homework. Make sure you do something active every day. Schedule in dinner and family time as well.

Get up and move every hour. It is even better if you can walk outside for a minute just for some fresh air. Do some jumping jacks or have a mini dance party--something to get your blood flowing. This will help to give you a burst of energy, wake up your body and brain, and get you ready to settle in for your next class.

Create a workspace (not your bed!). It can be a desk, a table, or a space in your home that’s dedicated to your schoolwork and is as distraction-free as possible. Make it comfortable because you will be spending a lot of time there. Add a plant or two. Put some photos or a cool drawing up. Make it a place you love.

Dress for Success. Dress for success is the modern equivalent of "clothes maketh the man" that is, it articulates the belief that what you wear matters in everyday life. Success equals productivity and growth mindset.

7th Grade Specialized High Schools Exam Resource: https://www.navigatethemaze.org/

DREAM: Specialized High School Institute (SHSI) 2026

DREAM-SHSI is an 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 will run from Spring 2026 to Fall 2026

The DREAM-SHSI program provides comprehensive test preparation for the SHSAT, assistance with the NYC high school admissions process, including exploration of different high school pathways, and socio-emotional learning.

All sessions take place in-person at a school near a student’s residential district.

Sessions

Spring Sessions: Saturdays from March-May
Summer Sessions: Monday-Thursday, July 6 - August 6, 2026
Fall Sessions: Saturdays, September 2026 - until the 2026 SHSAT (note: attending the summer session is required to attend the fall session)

Eligibility

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 starting in mid-December 2025 when the DREAM-SHSI application opens.

Part A

All students must:

Be a current NYC resident
Be enrolled in the seventh grade in a NYC district school or charter school
Score a minimum of
- 3.3 or above on the ELA 2024 grade 6 New York State ELA Test and a 3.3 or above on the grade 6 New York State Math 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

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 the income requirements based on federal guidelines, as informed by the family income inquiry form, completed by families for their schools in the fall. Families will then need to give permission to use their income information as part of the application process.

Potentially eligible students will be able to apply through MySchools in mid-December 2025. For questions, please email SHSI@schools.nyc.gov.

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