BALLET HELP DESK

After-School Training Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 92
Total Reviews: 160

City Ballet School of San Francisco

After-School Reviews

General

Who is Reviewing?

2

Program

2

Season Attended

2

# Of Levels In School

  • "School has 2 juniors levels, 3 Pre-Professional, 2 Professional levels and 1 Men Program"
  • "Children's levels, Excel, Pre-Pro 2, Pre-Pro 3, Mens, Professional A and Professional B"

Dancer Age

1
1

Hours of Dance Each Week

2

Was Student Scholarshipped?

1
1

Years At School

1
1

Leveling by Age or Skill?

2

Teacher Background

2

Parents Required to Volunteer?

2

Parent Volunteer Requirement

  • "There are many volunteer roles available for parents, including sewing crew, flower boutique coordinator and assistant, ticket checking, stage left/right assistants, and backstage coordinator and assistants. Parents typically volunteer during ballet productions or, alternatively, pay a fee instead of volunteering."
  • "Parents are asked to volunteer around the 2 large-scale productions each year, but can "buy out" of the volunteer requirement. The volunteer commitment is roughly 4-6 hours per production"

Curriculum

Days Per Week

2

Classes Per Day

2

Weekend Classes?

2

Weekend Schedule

2

Students Per Class

1
1

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

2

Pointe Classes Per Week

1
1

Live Music in Technique Class?

2

Dedicated Men's Program?

2

Men Taught by Male Teacher?

2

Men Taught Batterie?

1
1

Boys In Level

1
1

Separate Technique Class for Boys

2

Techniques Taught

2

Technique Teacher Rotation

2

Did School Director Teach?

1
1

Classroom Corrections

2

Attention From Teachers

Very Little
2
A Lot

Quality of Instruction

Poor
2
Excellent

Did Technique Improve?

Not at all
2
Tremendously

Curriculum Comments

  • "Classes focus on Vaganova technique, character and partnering classes. Contemporary 2 times a week. There are 2 full ballet production per year. YAGP competition is optional."
  • "Classes included: technique, pointe/variations, character, contemporary, floor barre"

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class

1
1

Partner Ratio

1

Who Taught?

1

How Much Partnering Improved

No
1
Tremendously

Quality of Pas Teaching

Poor
1
Excellent

How Were Corrections Given?

1

Description of Partnering Class

  • "The partnering class was exceptionally well taught, with clear instruction and a strong emphasis on technique. The instructor provided valuable insights into the dynamics of partner work, ensuring that each student felt supported and engaged."

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles

2

Other Class Quality

Poor
2
Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

2

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught

1
2
2
2

Contemporary Quality

Poor
1
1
Excellent

Master Classes?

1
1

Master Classes Description

  • "Adult master classes held three times a week in the evenings, for ages 14 and up."

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

1
1

Physical Training Types

1
1

Physical Training Schedule

1

Were Trainers Certified?

1

Physical Training Quality

Poor
1
Excellent

Strength & Conditioning Comments

  • "Focus of the weekly class was floor barre and core strength"

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

2

How Parents Notified?

2

How Treatment Obtained?

  • "Organized outside of the program"

PT Available?

1
1

Was There a Recovery Plan?

2

Describe Recovery Plan

  • "N/A"

Mental Health Therapists Available?

1
1

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

2

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

2

Were Students Weighed?

2

Was "Coded Language" Used?

2

Additional Comments

  • "The teachers are very supportive of students with injuries and have created a really positive culture"

Communication

Formal Orientation?

1
1

Handboook & Paperwork

2

Quality of Communication?

Poor
2
Excellent

Who Received Communication?

2

Exams

Formal Exam?

2

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?

Not
2
Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?

Not
2
Completely

Describe School Culture

  • "family, inspiring, professional, motivating, supportive"
  • "supportive, collaborative, friendly, focused on excellence"

Placement Notification Timing

  • "1 month prior"
  • "At the end of summer intensive"

How Dancer Was Notified

2

Dancer Had Mentor?

2

Mentoring Details

  • "My daughter's teacher serves as a wonderful mentor to her as well."
  • "My DD's teacher was very supportive and provided clear feedback and coaching on what to work on and how to improve"

Overall School Culture

Lord of the Flies
2
Warm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building

2

Safety of Area Around School?

Not Safe
1
1
Extremely Safe

Studio Space

Cramped
2
Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness

Dirty
2
Spotless

Performance Opportunities

Company Affiliated?

2

Programs Performed

2

Shows per Program

2

Casting

1
1

Peformance Calendar

  • "Rehearsals for productions typically begin about two months prior to the performance. As the production date approaches, additional rehearsal hours are scheduled, particularly on weekends. Competition rehearsals are also held during this period, often in between production rehearsals. The performance schedule throughout the year may include school-affiliated shows and in-studio/theatre rehearsals."
  • "Nutcracker in December at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco (2 performances), Spring production at the Palace of Fine Arts (1 performance); in some years there is a fall gala at an on-site theater"

Competition

Competitions required?

2

Did Dancer Compete?

1
1

Competition Categories

1
1

Competitions Attended

  • "YAGP Regional 2025, Prix de Lausanne 2024"

Solo Rehearsals

1

Pas de Deux Rehearsals

1

Ensemble Rehearsals

1

Costume Responsibility

1

Did School Tution Cover Competition Fees?

1

What Were the Additional Fees?

  • "For students opting to participate, there is a paid flat fee that includes YAGP rehearsals and one ballet costume. Please note that there is an extra fee for any additional ballet costumes beyond the first one."

Competition Fees Clear?

1

Competition Fees Reasonable?

1

Why?

  • "I found the fees to be very reasonable. It was much less stressful to make a one-time payment, which included the ballet costume, and then receive the YAGP rehearsal schedule directly from the teacher. This flat-fee structure made the process more organized and allowed to focus on preparation without the added stress of multiple payments or logistics."

Experience Description

  • "Overall, the experience was excellent. I felt confident that my child was well-prepared and fully supported throughout the competition season. The guidance from the teachers and the structured rehearsals helped build her confidence and allowed her to perform at her best."

Non-Competing Dancers Left Out?

1

Why?

  • "YAGP was the only competition that the school participated in, and only for individual solos (classical and contemporary). All rehearsals/coaching was completed in individual sessions outside of classes. There was a n on-stage "mock" competition opportunity for dancers who were competing to perform in at the on-site theater, and all students and parents could go and watch that"

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

2

Are Private Lessons Encouraged?

Not at all
2
Strongly recommended

Who Takes Privates?

2

Private Lessons equally available to all students?

Strongly disagree
2
Strongly agree

Explain

  • "Private lessons were equally available to all students"

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

2

School's SI Required?

2

Outside SI OK?

2

How Did School Help?

  • "Every student is accepted into the program; the audition is solely for level placement. The school provides clear guidance throughout the process, helping both students and parents understand what to expect. This supportive approach helps ease any stress associated with auditions, as the focus is on proper placement rather than acceptance or rejection"
  • "Only the professional division students who are considered candidates for professional contracts, training programs or second companies, or who are graduating high school typically audition for external summer intensive programs. The faculty works with those students to identify appropriate programs to audition for, and helps them make selections of the "best" programs for them to attend."

Outcomes

Percent That Went Full-Time

1

Percent That Went To College

1

How Much Support Did Dancer Receive in Taking the Next Steps in Ballet?

No support
1
Lots of support

Support Description

  • "My daughter is not yet old enough to take the next step, such as joining a second company or trainee program. However, based on our experience, I’m confident that the school provides strong support and guidance when students reach that stage. The faculty is attentive and invested in helping dancers navigate their future opportunities."

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction

2

Continuing Ballet Placement

2

Emotional Support

1
1

Performance Opportunities

1
1

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect

  • "The quality of the teaching and the friendship and community among the dancers"

Program's Worst Aspect

  • "it's a bit of a commute for my daughter"

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

  • "Nothing - my daughter has been incredibly happy there and feels like she has improved tremendously. She loves her primary teacher (Svetlana), and really enjoys the classes and productions. She has made really great friends there and it is a great, positive, culture."

Anything Else We Should Know?

  • "City Ballet SF is a Vaganova program that follows the Vaganova curriculum"
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