About Our After School Program
Qualified Instructors
Our after school program is staffed with experienced and qualified instructors who are passionate about working with children. They create a welcoming and engaging environment where your child can thrive and learn new skills.
Fun Activities
We offer a variety of fun and educational activities to keep your child engaged and excited to come back every day. From arts and crafts to sports and games, there's something for everyone in our after school program.
Homework Help
Our instructors are available to help your child with their homework and provide additional support to ensure they succeed in school. We believe that education is important and we want to help your child achieve their full potential.
The Dream School's After School Program: Where Learning and Fun Meet
A TDS collabo with the Shu Collective & 1012 Media Group
Teen Summit/Teen Talk Show
Teen Summit/Teen Talk Show
Teen Summit/Teen Talk Show
Join Us for a teen-led media movement reshaping the narrative!
This multi-platform empowerment initiative blends a live weekly studio show with digital-first content, engaging educational experiences, and impactful community activations. Designed to elevate and amplify youth voices, it equips the next generation to lead conversations around mental health, financial literacy, spirituality, STEAM, and cultural identity—with authenticity, confidence, and creativity.
All selected youth will participate in an immersive media training camp to prepare for on-camera and production roles. If you are interested in this opportunity complete all parts of the application, Student and Parent Section.
Announce coming events
Teen Summit/Teen Talk Show
Teen Summit/Teen Talk Show
Meet the Team
Founder/President/Executive Director
Tonya Sheffield is a filmmaker, educator, and community advocate dedicated to empowering youth and adults through digital media. As Founder and Executive Director of The Dream School Afterschool and Summer Program, she equips participants with digital literacy skills for career readiness and creative expression.
Sheffield holds a BFA in Filmmaking from UNC School of the Arts and a BS in History from Winston-Salem State University, blending creativity with historical insight. Her documentary work, including Young Americans and Pride and Dignity On The Hill, preserves and amplifies stories from marginalized communities, reflecting her passion for storytelling that inspires, educates, and empowers.
Vice President/Program Director
Tiffany Luard is a classically trained Actress & Filmmaker. She was trained at top conservatories in the country. She has 20+ years experience in motion picture, television, reality, documentary, agency services, & content creation for commercials, non-profits, and small businesses.
An advocate for artists, filmmakers, the community; Tiffany is a classically trained Actress & Filmmaker; trained at top conservatories in the country.
Visionary perhaps by definition, but a resource by desire; Luard works relentlessly to help all levels of the business in the art production chain.
Donate
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
Student Videos
Eshanti & Jybri - Top 5
Eshanti & Jybri exchange their Top Five questions.
Produced in The Dream School Summer Camp at Winston-Salem State's S.G. Atkins CDC, The Enterprise Conference And Event Center 2018
How to Make Slime- My'Nautia & Kayla
My'Nautia & Kayla teach us how to make Slime. Produced in The Dream School Summer Camp at Winston-Salem State's S.G. Atkins CDC, The Enterprise Conference And Event Center 2018
Fortnite For Beginners - Jayden
Jayden explains how to play Fortnite for beginners.
Produced in The Dream School Summer Camp at Winston-Salem State's S.G. Atkins CDC, The Enterprise Conference And Event Center 2018
TDS Video Productions
Happy Hill: Stories from the Community
"Happy Hill: Stories from the Community, I Rise!," trailer is the promotional video for the short documentary produced in The Dream School's Adult Smartphone Video and Photography workshop.
Straw Into Gold Exhibition at Milton Rhodes Gallery
Straw Into Gold is the Brain child of Ms. Rosa "Malakia" Johnson, the Queen Mother of Braids.
Intern Alexis Lassiter Spring 2018
At the Dream School We empower youth and adults in our workshops. "We like to say, we change lives!"
During her internship at The Dream School. Alexis realized that she could have a positive impact in a student's life, which changed her life.
Contact Us
If you have questions about our after school program opportunities available near you, feel free to send us a message. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
The Dream School
315-G Taylor Street Southwest, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Our Partners
Testimonials
Kara Slawter, School Counselor
April 13, 2018
Dear Tonya Sheffield, Executive Director of The Dream School,
Madison Tripplet and Eric Gonzalez are high achieving seniors at Yadkin Early College whose dreams include pursuing English and Communications degrees at UNC and Education and Japanese degrees at UNC respectively.
In Fall 2017 Eric volunteered/job shadowed in a 1st/2nd grade elementary classroom to gain more teaching experience. Through The Dream School Eric’s Japanese presentation allowed him to be the educator in a different environment and consider media based education possibilities. Combined these experiences will assist Eric as he prepares to teach ESL in Japan after graduating college.
First year student Chandler Wooten excels academically but has struggled to find his place socially at Yadkin Early College. Through The Dream School experience, Chandler is beginning to blossom and has started volunteering at the local library and participating in our newly formed YECHS Film Club. I am confident that with continued exposure and practice Chandler will build his confidence and learn how to mentor younger students. In the future Chandler would like to major in Meteorology at UNC-Asheville and I hope he can pursue this in future podcasting episodes.
Junior, Tyler Wood, is one of the most driven Yadkin Early College students to work in the film and entertainment industry. While Tyler has lots of experience acting and interning at a Children’s Theater in Winston-Salem NC, I’m proud that he stepped into the host role through The Dream School. I think Tyler has a natural and genuine on-screen presence that keeps the audience both entertained and at ease. I can see that this experience has made Tyler more confident and given him a platform to stand out amongst his peers.
Sophomores Yeiren Magana and Lizet Ramirez-Torres are blossoming into intelligent and assertive young women. While Yeiren enjoys the fashion industry and exploring new territory like Paris, Lizet’s goals concerning deep thoughts and everyday advice as no less pertinent.
Yeiren and Lizet, like Eric, are bilingual and I would love to see them explore their podcasting in Spanish. Also I hope for all three to do some promotional Spanish videos for our Film Club and illuminate the many accomplishments of our diverse student population.
The Dream School encouraged our six Yadkin Early College students to refine their talents, build their confidence and explore newfound creative territory. I enjoyed how YECHS students interacted with other talented youth from across the county.
While many of our students are academically driven, they lack positive role models, especially male ones, and I appreciate you giving our students access to enthusiastic and knowledgeable mentors of all ages. This program is truly unique and I appreciate the many hours the coordinators, college mentors and Yadkin Arts Council personnel put into this experience.
Respectfully,
Kara Slawter
July 10, 2018
Hi Ms. Sheffield, I'm not quite sure how to start this off, but I just wanted to give you a huge thank you. I am close friends with Madison T. and have been for the last few years. (She also doesn't know that I am doing this, but I felt led too) She is a very interesting character who really underestimates herself and is one of the most amazing and intelligent people I have ever meet. So, I just wanted to say thank you for reaching out to her, getting her to open up a little bit, and seeing that amazing potential she truly has.
So, again, thank you so much.
Ashley C.
special thanks to our donors
Travis Scott
Rebecca Byers
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