City Ballet School of San Francisco

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General

Who is Reviewing?

Parent with dancer input

Program:

City Ballet School of San Francisco

Season Attended:

2024-25

# Of Levels In School:

School has 2 juniors levels, 3 Pre-Professional, 2 Professional levels and 1 Men Program

Dancer Age:

Hours of Dance Each Week:

16-20 hours

Was Student Scholarshipped?

Yes

Years At School:

1 year

Leveling by Age or Skill?

Skill

Teacher Background:

Former professional ballet dancer

Parents Required to Volunteer?

Yes

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.

Curriculum

Days Per Week:

Classes Per Day:

Weekend Classes?

Yes

Weekend Schedule:

Half day

Students Per Class:

10-15

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

Yes

Pointe Classes Per Week:

Live Music in Technique Class?

Dedicated Men's Program?

Yes

Men Taught by Male Teacher?

Yes

Men Taught Batterie?

Yes

Boys In Level:

Unsure

Separate Technique Class for Boys:

Yes

Techniques Taught:

Vaganova

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:

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.

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

1x per week

Partner Ratio:

Most girls had to share a partner.

Who Taught?

Male teacher

How Much Partnering Improved:


No	Tremendously

Quality of Pas Teaching:


Poor	Excellent

How Were Corrections Given?

Attention and corrections were evenly distributed between the males and females

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:

Character

Other Class Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

Yes

Types of Contemporary Classes Taught:

Improv, Repertoire, Choreography workshops, Technique

Contemporary Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Master Classes?

Yes

Master Classes Description:

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

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

How Parents Notified?

My student did not get injured

PT Available?

Unsure

Was There a Recovery Plan?

My dancer did not get injured

Mental Health Therapists Available?

Unsure

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

Were Students Weighed?

Was "Coded Language" Used?

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:

family, inspiring, professional, motivating, supportive

Placement Notification Timing:

1 month prior

How Dancer Was Notified:

Written communication via email or regular mail

Dancer Had Mentor?

Yes

Mentoring Details:

My daughter's teacher serves as a wonderful mentor to her as well.

Overall School Culture:


Lord of the Flies	Warm & Inclusive

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building:

Yes

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:

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.

Competition

Competitions required?

Did Dancer Compete?

Yes

Competition Categories:

Solos, Pas de Deux

Competitions Attended:

YAGP Regional 2025, Prix de Lausanne 2024

Solo Rehearsals:

Take place outside of regular classes

Pas de Deux Rehearsals:

Take place outside of regular classes

Ensemble Rehearsals:

Our school doesn't have students compete in ensembles

Costume Responsibility:

School provides for free

Did School Tution Cover Competition Fees?

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?

Yes

Competition Fees Reasonable?

Yes

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.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

Yes

Are Private Lessons Encouraged?


Not at all	Strongly recommended

Who Takes Privates?

Anyone who wants them

Private Lessons equally available to all students?


Strongly disagree	Strongly agree

Explain:

Private lessons were equally available to all students

Summer Intensives

School Holds an SI?

Yes

School's SI Required?

Yes

Outside SI OK?

Yes, but only for select students

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

Outcomes

Percent That Went Full-Time:

41%-50%

Percent That Went To College:

21%-30%

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


No support	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:

A+

Continuing Ballet Placement:

A+

Emotional Support:

A+

Performance Opportunities:

A+

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