Blanco Ballet Academy

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General

Who is Reviewing?

Parent with dancer input

Program:

Blanco Ballet Academy

Season Attended:

2025-26

# Of Levels In School:

4 levels currently

Dancer Age:

Hours of Dance Each Week:

6-10 hours

Was Student Scholarshipped?

Years At School:

1 year

Leveling by Age or Skill?

Skill

Teacher Background:

Former professional ballet dancer

Parents Required to Volunteer?

Date Submitted:

4/21/2026

Curriculum

Days Per Week:

Classes Per Day:

Weekend Classes?

Weekend Schedule:

I did not have weekend class

Students Per Class:

10-15

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

Pointe Classes Per Week:

N/A

Live Music in Technique Class?

Dedicated Men's Program?

Men Taught by Male Teacher?

Yes

Men Taught Batterie?

Boys In Level:

Less than 5

Separate Technique Class for Boys:

Techniques Taught:

General Classical

Technique Teacher Rotation:

Usually the same every day

Did School Director Teach?

Always

Classroom Corrections:

Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day

Attention From Teachers:


Very Little	A Lot

Quality of Instruction:


Poor	Excellent

Did Technique Improve?


Not at all	Tremendously

Curriculum Comments:

Cuban method

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

No partnering

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles:

None

Contemporary Offered?

Yes

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught:

Improv, Technique

Contemporary Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Master Classes?

Yes

Master Classes Description:

guest teachers: leading dancers from Joffrey Ballet

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

Yes

Physical Training Types:

Pilates (mat or reformer), Progressing Ballet Technique

Physical Training Schedule:

Once or twice a week

Were Trainers Certified?

Yes

Physical Training Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

How Parents Notified?

My student did not get injured

How Treatment Obtained?

independently through local ortho/PT

PT Available?

Was There a Recovery Plan?

Yes

Mental Health Therapists Available?

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

Were Students Weighed?

Was "Coded Language" Used?

Additional Comments:

Directors are focused on dancer health. Brought in a dietician to talk about healthy nutrition for dancers.

Communication

Formal Orientation?

Unsure

Handboook & Paperwork:

Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year

Quality of Communication?


Poor	Excellent

Who Received Communication?

With parents and students

Exams

Formal Exam?

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?


Not	Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?


Not	Completely

Describe School Culture:

Tight-knit and friendly, while also professional and demanding

Placement Notification Timing:

this is my child's first year, and we do not know exactly what is planned for next year yet

How Dancer Was Notified:

Written communication via email or regular mail

Dancer Had Mentor?

Yes

Mentoring Details:

It's a small school, so my child has regular conversations with the directors and is also informally mentored by the older students she has met.

Overall School Culture:


Lord of the Flies	Warm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building:

Safety of Area Around School?


Not Safe	Extremely Safe

Studio Space:


Cramped	Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness:


Dirty	Spotless

Performance Opportunities

Company Affiliated?

Programs Performed:

1-3

Shows per Program:

Casting:

School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions

Peformance Calendar:

Imagine this could change as the school grows, but this year there was a winter and a spring program at a black box theater.

Competition

Competitions required?

Did Dancer Compete?

Non-Competing Dancers Left Out?

Unsure

Why?

My dancer would like to compete once she is considered ready to do so.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

Yes

Are Private Lessons Encouraged?


Not at all	Strongly recommended

Who Takes Privates?

A select few kids

Private Lessons equally available to all students?


Strongly disagree	Strongly agree

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

Yes

School's SI Required?

Outside SI OK?

Yes, it's strongly encouraged

How Did School Help?

My child is in a lower level, and we don't know what guidance is offered to older students auditioning. The school's summer intensive is in June, which enables students to attend other programs if they wish to, and many do.

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction:

Continuing Ballet Placement:

Emotional Support:

Performance Opportunities:

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect:

Amazing instruction, nice performance opportunities, friendly atmosphere

Program's Worst Aspect:

Glad they are moving to a larger space with more studios.

Anything Else We Should Know?

The instruction in my daughter's level has been top-notch, and she has had a wonderful year.