"It was a percentage of the tuition. The trainees are full tuition coverage."
Years At School
7 or more years
Leveling by Age or Skill?
Skill
Teacher Background
Former professional ballet dancer
Parents Required to Volunteer?
No
Parent Volunteer Requirement
"Backstage help, carline help, crowd control in lobby"
Curriculum
Days Per Week
3
6
Classes Per Day
2
4
Weekend Classes?
No
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Half day
I did not have weekend class
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
4
N/A
Live Music in Technique Class?
No
Dedicated Men's Program?
No
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
No
Men Taught Batterie?
No
Boys In Level
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
Different depending on week
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
Dancer specific: detailed but only a few dancers consistently got corrections
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
"The school for younger students is ABT, and then in the academies it is changing from to a Vaganova style. The students receive 2 character classes a week and 1 contemporary 1 modern and a variation class"
"Ballet three times per week, jazz once per week, and character once per week"
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
No partnering
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
African
Character
Hip-Hop
Jazz
Modern
Musical Theater
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
No
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Choreography workshops
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
Yes
Master Classes Description
"The choreographer or individuals who were setting the professional company ballet would often hold a master class for the students"
"Ballet with school director, audition workshop, MLK workshop"
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Progressing Ballet Technique
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Several times a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
"Only for certain students in the level, not all"
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
Yes
Yes, but not for my level
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Parent was informed same day, in person
How Treatment Obtained?
"Yes, of course you need your own insurance"
PT Available?
Yes, but not for my level
Yes, it is part of fees
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
"My daughter saw the sports medicine physician and she communicated with the staff regarding a recovery plan. She additionally sees the PT who works with the professional company who developed a reentry program"
Mental Health Therapists Available?
Unsure
Yes, but not for my level
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Unsure
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Maybe
Additional Comments
"I feel that the school works to ensure that the students are strong and capable of working in the very demanding classes"
"Overall positive, supportive"
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Handboook & Paperwork
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
Exams
Formal Exam?
Yes
Written Feedback?
Yes
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Outside adjudicator
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Neutral
Strongly agree
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
Well Prepared For Exam?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Completely
How Heavily Did Exams Weigh in Promotions
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Heavily
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
"Very supportive for group success"
"Supportive, helpful, hardworking"
Placement Notification Timing
"After spring performance"
"After the final showcase"
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Mentoring Details
"None"
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
Everyone auditions for parts
Peformance Calendar
"Nutcracker and an end of year showcase"
Private Lessons
Private Lessons Available?
Yes
Are Private Lessons Encouraged?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly recommended
Who Takes Privates?
A select few kids
Private Lessons equally available to all students?
Strongly disagree
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly agree
Explain
"Unless trade-parent, not told how to access them."
Summer Intensives
School Holds an SI?
Yes
School's SI Required?
No
Outside SI OK?
Yes, it's strongly encouraged
How Did School Help?
"None"
Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A-
Continuing Ballet Placement
A-
Emotional Support
A
Performance Opportunities
B
Program Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"Positive student camaraderie"
Program's Worst Aspect
"Large character class"
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"“How does ballet work” for parents would be helpful"
