Dare to Dream
DTD
Dare to Dream began in 1995 as a program to boost self-esteem and provide positive role models for elementary school students. At this time, ten (10) selected schools within the Houston and Alief Independent School Districts participate in the program. Dare to Dream partners with the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, Communities in Schools, the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Houston Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Program Model
The Dare to Dream curriculum is comprised of twenty (20) lessons. The interactive curriculum is comprised of three modules; My Self (self-improvement), My Community (community service), and My World (goal setting and career planning).
The Dare to Dream program year begins with Dr. Harris visiting each participating school. Dr. Harris energizes the Dare to Dream students (Mission Specialists) and introduces them to his personal credo; the “ABCs of Success” which stand for “I can Achieve, if I Believe and Conceive my Dream.” The program year commences with an end of year award ceremony and celebratory field trip where two hundred-fifty (250) Mission Specialists enjoy a fun day filled with adventure, discovery and impactful lifetime memories.
Letter from Dr. Bernard Harris
Dare to Dream is a character education and crime prevention program that helps students set goals and work toward achieving their dreams. It takes the dedication of many people to make this program possible and we thank you all for your hard work and dedication to the students and their undeveloped potential.
In the 2011-2012 school-year, Dare to Dream transitioned from a three year to a one year curriculum covering three topic areas – My Self, My Community and My World. In this year’s My Self module, students will explore trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship as they prepare to celebrate Character Week. Following the completion of this module, students will engage in the My Community and My World modules. In My Community students will think about their role in their school community and conduct a service project that will positively contribute to the school and its members. The third and final module, My World, explores the world beyond the students’ communities and the possibilities and benefits of successful careers after high school and college. Students will set personal goals and learn about pathways to achieving them.
Again, my sincere thanks to each of you for helping these students. Without our partners: Communities in Schools, Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Houston Independent School District (ISD), Alief ISD, Harris County Juvenile Probation Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), this would not be possible. I look forward to working with all of you this year.
Sincerely,
Bernard A.Harris, Jr.

2017-2018 Participants
2017-2018 participants are listed below. Those schools with a “CIS” listed next to the name are schools which are affiliated with Communities in Schools. Applications to participate in the Dare to Dream program are available each year in mid-May.
For more information on each school, click on the name to view school location, staff names, photos and more!
Resources
My Self: Anti-Bullying Resources
Educational Games
www.brainpopjr.com
www.pbskids.org/
Anti-Bullying Resources
www.mcgruff.org
www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org
www.peelregion.ca/health/bullying
www.girlshealth.gov
www.pbskids.org
Team Building
Character Development
www.goodcharacter.com
www.p21.org
www.charactercounts.org
My Community: Helping My School Resources
www.dosomething.org
www.kkids.org
www.quotegarden.com
www.readwritethink.org
www.learningtogive.org
www.power-of-giving.com
My World: Setting Goals Resources
College Viewbooks (PDF)
Houston Baptist University
Rice University
Texas A&M University
Texas Tech University
University of Texas
Villanova University
College View Books (online)
A List of Texas Colleges and Universities (with links)
Lamar University
Princeton University
Rollins University
University of Houston (under “Fun Stuff”, click “Freshman Viewbook”)
Middle and High School Resources
College Resources
www.collegeboard.org
www.ecampustours.com
Other
Career Resources
Setting Goals
www.fleurdelis.com
www.livestrong.com
www.reachfortomorrow.org
Drug-Use Prevention Resources
Online Math & Science Resources
www.sciencebuddies.org
http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/
http://pbskids.org/games/science.html
www.brainpop.com
www.edheads.org
www.school.discovery.com/sciencefaircentral
www.super-science-fair-projects.com
http://sciencepirates.com