ABT Gillespie School
#1 of 1
After-School Training Reviews
Programs Reviewed: 92
Total Reviews: 160
Total Reviews: 160
General
Parent
Program:
ABT Gillespie School
Season Attended:
2024-25
# Of Levels In School:
6
Dancer Age:
16
Hours of Dance Each Week:
16-20 hours
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Years At School:
2 years
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Unsure
Teacher Background:
Unsure
Parents Required to Volunteer?
No
Date Submitted:
2/15/2026
Curriculum
Days Per Week:
6
Classes Per Day:
3
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule:
Half day
Students Per Class:
16-24
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week:
2
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
No
Men Taught Batterie?
No
Boys In Level:
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys:
No
Techniques Taught:
General Classical
Technique Teacher Rotation:
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Occasionally
Classroom Corrections:
Dancer specific: detailed but only a few dancers consistently got corrections
Attention From Teachers:
| Very Little | A Lot |
Quality of Instruction:
| Poor | Excellent |
Did Technique Improve?
| Not at all | Tremendously |
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class:
1x per week
Partner Ratio:
Everyone had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
It varied based on the week
How Much Partnering Improved:
| No | Tremendously |
Quality of Pas Teaching:
| Poor | Excellent |
How Were Corrections Given?
Corrections were general and there was little attention paid to any specific person
Description of Partnering Class:
Not a dedicated class bc not enough boys.
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles:
Character, Modern
Other Class Quality:
| Poor | Excellent |
Contemporary Offered?
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught:
Technique
Contemporary Quality:
| Poor | Excellent |
Master Classes?
Yes
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types:
Other
Physical Training Schedule:
Occasionally
Were Trainers Certified?
No
Physical Training Quality:
| Poor | Excellent |
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
Student told parent. School not involved
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
No
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Yes
Communication
Formal Orientation?
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork:
Vague and incomplete
Quality of Communication?
| Poor | Excellent |
Who Received Communication?
With parents only
Exams
Formal Exam?
Yes
Written Feedback?
Yes
Exam Adjudicator:
Outside adjudicator
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Neutral
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
Well Prepared For Exam?
| Not at all | Completely |
How Heavily Did Exams Weigh in Promotions:
| Not at all | Heavily |
School Culture
How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?
| Not | Completely |
How Supportive Were Students of One Another?
| Not | Completely |
Describe School Culture:
Uncommunicative. Expected parents and kids to be thankful to be there and to intuit new rules, dates, and expectations.
Placement Notification Timing:
Eoy
How Dancer Was Notified:
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Mentoring Details:
Na
Overall School Culture:
| Lord of the Flies | Warm & Inclusive |
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building:
No
Safety of Area Around School?
| Not Safe | Extremely Safe |
Studio Space:
| Cramped | Lots of space |
Studio Cleanliness:
| Dirty | Spotless |
Performance Opportunities
Company Affiliated?
No
Programs Performed:
1-3
Shows per Program:
2
Casting:
School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions
Peformance Calendar:
Kid based nutcracker for all of thise too tall to participate in the ABT NYC nutcracker
Private Lessons
Private Lessons Available?
Unsure
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
No
School's SI Required?
No
Outside SI OK?
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
You have to seek guidance. Not very helpful. No follow up on acceptances or rejections.
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction:
B
Continuing Ballet Placement:
D
Emotional Support:
D
Performance Opportunities:
C+
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect:
Improved technique but not enough to outweigh the negatives
Program's Worst Aspect:
Lack of clear communication. Lack of clear expectations.
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
Clarity. Communication. Transparency.
Loading…
Who is Reviewing?