Flint School of Performing Arts

#1 of 1

General

Who is Reviewing?

Parent

Program:

Flint School of Performing Arts

Season Attended:

2024-25

# Of Levels In School:

Discover dance (creative movement age based 2 years), elementary ballet (4 levels by skill), intermediate ballet (2 levels by ability) advanced ballet (2 levels but added 1.5 this year for 2 dancers mine being one of them)

Dancer Age:

Hours of Dance Each Week:

11-15 hours

Was Student Scholarshipped?

Yes

Please Describe Scholarship:

We can apply for tuition assistance, during nutcracker auditions merit scholarships are awarded

Years At School:

7 or more years

Leveling by Age or Skill?

Skill

Teacher Background:

Both

Parents Required to Volunteer?

Parent Volunteer Requirement:

Supervise dressing rooms

Curriculum

Days Per Week:

Classes Per Day:

Weekend Classes?

Yes

Weekend Schedule:

Full day

Students Per Class:

10-15

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

Pointe Classes Per Week:

Live Music in Technique Class?

Yes

Dedicated Men's Program?

Boys In Level:

There were no boys in my level

Techniques Taught:

General Classical

Technique Teacher Rotation:

The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule

Did School Director Teach?

Often

Classroom Corrections:

Occasionally dancer specific: mostly general corrections were given

Attention From Teachers:


Very Little	A Lot

Quality of Instruction:


Poor	Excellent

Did Technique Improve?


Not at all	Tremendously

Curriculum Comments:

ABT was supposed to be taught but they would mix other styles in especially Vaganova. They were required to take 2 ballet classes, 1 modern (no specific style or training in modern), and 1 pointe class. My student took one additional ballet class. Several times videos were shown instead of technique being taught.

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

No partnering

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles:

Modern

Other Class Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Contemporary Offered?

Master Classes?

Yes

Master Classes Description:

They brought in a guest choreographer so he taught a master class

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

How Parents Notified?

My student did not get injured

PT Available?

Was There a Recovery Plan?

My dancer did not get injured

Mental Health Therapists Available?

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

Yes

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

Yes

Were Students Weighed?

Was "Coded Language" Used?

Yes

Additional Comments:

We had a dancer choreograph a dance about suicide this year and when I brought it to the attention of the director she said she was looking into it. Later my dancer told me of several concerning conversations about suicide in the rehearsal process.

Communication

Formal Orientation?

Handboook & Paperwork:

No handbook provided

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:

A sinking ship

Placement Notification Timing:

I had to ask for it several weeks after the term ended.

How Dancer Was Notified:

Written communication via email or regular mail

Dancer Had Mentor?

Mentoring Details:

My dancer at 14 was responsible for mentoring 2 younger dancers but she was not offered any mentorship.

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:

Everyone auditions for parts

Peformance Calendar:

Nutcracker is the fall performance they utilize an outside adjudicator but the school director helps them in casting. We have a 1 night black history show that one dance is part of, they also have the opportunity later in HS to be a student choreographer which is a one show. Spring performance in a school showcase with all levels. Teachers choose role but hold an audition.

Private Lessons

Private Lessons Available?

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?

They discourage going elsewhere for summer. Last year I took it into my own hands to get my dancer in to a better summer program with no assistance from the school.

Outcomes

Percent That Went Full-Time:

None

Percent That Went To College:

10%

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


No support	Lots of support

Support Description:

They discourage taking steps further in dance outside of their program.

Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction:

C+

Continuing Ballet Placement:

Emotional Support:

Performance Opportunities:

C+

Program Comments

Program's Best Aspect:

Having the opportunity to perform along side professional guest artists and a live orchestra for The Nutcracker.

Program's Worst Aspect:

Our new school director is very immature and lacking in teaching qualities. She ignores students and favors students based on race.

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

Our Director and offering more higher level classes and more variety.

Anything Else We Should Know?

They do not actually teach ABT but claim to.

Loading…