Ordway Conservatory of Classical Ballet
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After-School Training Reviews
Programs Reviewed: 123
Total Reviews: 235
Total Reviews: 235
General
Parent with dancer input
Program:
Ordway Conservatory of Classical Ballet
Season Attended:
2025-26
# Of Levels In School:
School goes up to Senior in HS
Level Dancer Was In:
Intermediate 2
Dancer Age:
10
Hours of Dance Each Week:
More than 26 hours
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Please Describe Scholarship:
There are no scholarships
Years At School:
7 or more years
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Age
Teacher Background:
Former professional ballet dancer
Parents Required to Volunteer?
No
Parent Volunteer Requirement:
Parents are expected to volunteer or donate for each production. We have three (Nutcracker, Spring Show, Recital) as well as modern show for modern enrolled dancers
Date Submitted:
10/17/2026,
Curriculum
Days Per Week:
6
Classes Per Day:
more than 6
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule:
Half day
Students Per Class:
10-15
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week:
Daily
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Techniques Taught:
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation:
Different depending on week
Did School Director Teach?
Often
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 begin after school each day (4pm) Monday thru Friday with Saturday classes. There are dedicated rehearsal days also built into the schedule on Monday, Wednesday Evenings and Saturday afternoons.
Classes range from Creative Movement (ages 3-4), through Advanced. The ballet school offers Ballet, Pointe, Variations, Modern, PBT, and Stretch and Strength.
Depending on level depends on the class load for students as well as what they would like to get out of the classes.
No students are forced to do pointe even in advanced levels. Students are encouraged to participate in the three ballet performances every year.
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class:
No partnering
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles:
Modern
Other Class Quality:
| Poor | Excellent |
Contemporary Offered?
No
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught:
Technique
Contemporary Quality:
| Poor | Excellent |
Master Classes?
No
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types:
Progressing Ballet Technique, Stretch class
Physical Training Schedule:
Once or twice a week
Physical Training Quality:
| Poor | Excellent |
Injuries / Health / Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
PT Available?
No
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Additional Comments:
The Artistic Director and Owner, Sara Ordway has worked very hard to make OCCB body inclusive. There are no diet talks, no weighing, not talking of body size or shape. She works hard to create a nurturing and positive environment. She encourages students with injuries to seek Physical Therapy with On Pointe Wellness.
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Handboook & Paperwork:
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
Quality of Communication?
| Poor | Excellent |
Who Received Communication?
With parents only
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
School Culture
How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?
| Not | Completely |
How Supportive Were Students of One Another?
| Not | Completely |
Describe School Culture:
Positive Inclusive Demanding
Placement Notification Timing:
April of each year
How Dancer Was Notified:
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Overall School Culture:
| Cold & Exclusive | Warm & Inclusive |
Building & Surrounding Area
Security Around Building:
No
Safety of Area Around School?
| Not Safe | Extremely Safe |
Studio Space:
| Cramped | Lots of space |
Studio Cleanliness:
| Dirty | Spotless |
Performance Opportunities
Company Affiliated?
No
Programs Performed:
4-5
Casting:
School staff chooses students for roles - no auditions
Peformance Calendar:
No company affiliated shows. All shows are with students only.
Competition
School Competes?
Yes
Competitions required?
No
Did Dancer Compete?
Yes
Competition Categories:
Solos, Pas de Deux
Competitions Attended:
YAGP in Dc
Etoile in Baltimore
Solo Rehearsals:
Take place outside of regular classes
Pas de Deux Rehearsals:
Take place outside of regular classes
Ensemble Rehearsals:
Take place outside of regular classes
Costume Responsibility:
Student responsible for sourcing and paying for costume
Did School Tution Cover Competition Fees?
No
What Were the Additional Fees?
Depends on how many solos. We paid 3200 for three solos and one duet
Competition Fees Clear?
Yes
Competition Fees Reasonable?
Yes
Why?
They get a lot of time with teachers to work.
Experience Description:
She loves them. She works hard. She enjoys the entire process
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 |
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
Yes
School's SI Required?
Yes
Outside SI OK?
No
How Did School Help?
So yes you can go elsewhere but you need permission.
There are no auditions. All are welcome.
Outcomes
Highest Level of School?
No
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction:
A
Continuing Ballet Placement:
A+
Emotional Support:
A
Performance Opportunities:
A+
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect:
Performance opportunities are plentiful.
Program's Worst Aspect:
Skill and age aren’t synonymous. So a child who is the same age as her peers and excelling won’t move up a level until school year changes.
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
Nothing
Who is Reviewing?