To the best of our knowledge, there are not many merit scholarships. We were notified by the principal of her division (Lower School). She was awarded a 50% merit scholarship for tuition.
Years At School
3 years
7 or more years
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Age
Teacher Background
Former professional ballet dancer
Parents Required to Volunteer?
No
Curriculum
Days Per Week
4
Classes Per Day
2
Weekend Classes?
No
Weekend Schedule
I did not have weekend class
Students Per Class
16-24
25-30
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Pointe Classes Per Week
2
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
Unsure
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Unsure
Boys In Level
5-10
Separate Technique Class for Boys
Yes
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Never (school admin was NOT designated as an upper level teacher)
Occasionally
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day
Occasionally dancer specific: mostly general corrections were given
Attention From Teachers
Very Little
1
2
3
4
5
A Lot
Quality of Instruction
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Did Technique Improve?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Tremendously
Curriculum Comments
Conditioning classes once a week only
technique four days a week, 6 hrs total; pointe two days a week, 90 min total; jazz/modern one day a week, 60 min total; conditioning 1 day a week, 60 min total
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
No partnering
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Jazz
Modern
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
No
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
Yes
Master Classes Description
Master classes are only offered to the upper school
Master classes 12 Saturdays in the spring, offered by a variety of faculty from across the school
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
Unsure
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
PT Available?
Yes, for extra fee
Yes, it is part of fees
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Mental Health Therapists Available?
Unsure
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Unsure
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Yes
Communication
Formal Orientation?
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Adequate but missing several key pieces
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
Quality of Communication?
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Who Received Communication?
With parents and students
With parents only
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
School Culture
How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?
Not
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
How Supportive Were Students of One Another?
Not
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
Describe School Culture
N/A
Generally supportive; some faculty much more so that others; some very old school and harsh with criticism
Placement Notification Timing
April
May
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Mentoring Details
No mentoring at all
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building
Yes
Safety of Area Around School?
Not Safe
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Safe
Studio Space
Cramped
1
2
3
4
5
Lots of space
Studio Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Performance Opportunities
Company Affiliated?
Yes
Programs Performed
1-3
Shows per Program
More than 5
Casting
School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions
Peformance Calendar
Nutcracker is cast based on auditions - students dance between 4 and 16 shows; Spring show is cast based on school staff placement - students between 1 and 3 shows. Very occasionally students are invited to perform in professional productions with the company. These are mostly walk-on roles.
Private Lessons
Private Lessons Available?
No
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?
Very little guidance provided.
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A-
Continuing Ballet Placement
B-
Emotional Support
C+
Performance Opportunities
C+
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
Strong technical training
Program's Worst Aspect
VERY slow progression in ballet technique. Some students are highly driven and desire to dance professionally; others are "community dancers". All students are in the same room. The slow pace can be VERY frustrating for those driven to learn more and advance.
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
Opportunity to perform more. Opportunity to advance more quickly.
