BALLET HELP DESK

Summer Intensive Reviews

Programs Reviewed: 255
Total Reviews: 2234

Washington School of Ballet

Summer Intensive Reviews

General

Dancer age

1
3
2
4
4
2

First time at a summer intensive?

13
3

Year of SI

2
3
5
2
4

Weeks available

1
14
1

Weeks attended

1
1
13
1

Reviewer

3
9
3
1

Curriculum

Techniques taught

4
1
1
5
9
5

Partnering (based on age)

7
2
2
5

Dedicated men's program?

4
8
4

# of boys in level

4
12

Other dance genres

11
16
1
2
12
11
7

Quality of other classes

Not Helpful
2
2
5
7
Helpful

Injury Prevention

Strength classes?

14
1
1
9
2
7
1
2

PT offered?

2
14

Extra fee for PT?

9
6

Injury rate

6
7
3

Teaching

Who taught?

5
8
3

Guest teachers

5
2
9

Year-round teachers taught

5
10
1

Attention from teachers

Very Little
2
3
11
A Lot

Technique improved?

No
1
2
9
4
Yes - Tremendously

Studios

Dance floors

1
14
1

Studio space

Cramped
3
11
2
Lots of Space

Studio cleanliness

Dirty
7
9
Spotless

Schedule

Classes per day

5
11

Saturday classes

15
1

Saturday class duration

1
15

Leveling

Leveling

15
1

Leveling type

12
4

Did students move levels?

8
8

Leveling fair?

3
13

Students per class

1
11
4

Performance

Performance?

11
5

Rehearsals happened

6
7
3

Casting equitability

Uneven
1
1
4
10
Even

Rehearsals detracted from class?

Completely
2
1
13
Not At All

Housing - General

Housing provided

9
7

# of roommates

3
1
4
1

Bathrooms

1
8

Coed bathrooms

9

Air conditioning

9

Housing comment

  • "None"
  • "Had pool and exercise room, but covid restrictions meant they weren’t able to use"
  • "Beautiful dorms. No food plan but lots of food shopping and excellent cooking/ prep facilities."
  • "Spacious rooms: Shared suite with 2-3 bedrooms (2 students to a bedroom)"
  • "no"
  • "Housing is at American University dorms. Four girls to a suite with shared 1.5 bath. Two girls share a bedroom in each suite."
  • "Nice newer dorm. 2 dancers per room; 4 in a suite with shared living area and bathroom"

Where did they stay?

3
4

Housing - Supervision

Curfew

9

Curfew reasonable?

9

Room check

9

How strict were dorms?

6
2
1

Infraction handling

2
4
2
2

Housing - Cleanliness

Laundry available

9

Laundry free

2
2
5

Housing cleanliness

Dirty
3
6
Spotless

Cleaning required

4
5

Meal Plan

Meal plan

9

Activities

Weeknight activities

1
8

Weekend outings

1
15

Attended weekend outings

6
7
2

Favorite

  • "Outings only offered for residential/dorming students"
  • "Musical"
  • "Monument Tour"
  • "Old Town Alexandria, DC Monuments Dusk Tour"
  • "Watching 4 of July Fireworks"
  • "Moonlight bus tour of the monuments, Ferry boat from Georgetown to Alexandria, VA"
  • "Ferry to Old Town in Alexandria"
  • "Ferry to Old Town"
  • "Night monument tour"
  • "Paddleboats"
  • "I wanted to clarify that even students not forming were invited to attend."

Least favorite

Repeated Responses:
  • "none" (3 responses)
Unique Responses:
  • "N/A"
  • "See above"
  • "no"
  • "All were enjoyable."
  • "All were good. There were also surprise outings such as a contemporary dance performance at the Kennedy Center and a museum visit for another performance."

Logistics

Quality of handbook

Spotty
1
4
10
Comprehensive

Program communication

Limited
1
2
3
10
Comprehensive

Transportation

1
1
1
2
5
5
1

Neighborhood safety

Not Safe
1
2
13
Very Safe

General Comments

Overall recommendation

Definitely Not
3
5
8
Absolutely

Best aspect

  • "My daughter shared that the program was amazing, every day when I would pick her up she would comment that she wished it was longer! (She was there all day, 9-4:45!)"
  • "Experience at a school attached to a well respected company. Located in DC. Despite big classes, dancer felt they received some good corrections. Program felt ballet heavy."
  • "Teachers were amazing, lots of different styles. Teachers tried to connect with everyone. Dorms were safe and chaperones were outstanding - attentive and also great role models (they were all outstanding dancers). They had wonderful extra activities in the DC area for weekends. It was a great, memorable summer in DC!"
  • "My dancer most enjoyed the men's technique classes and partnering. He also enjoyed the opportunity to try new dance styles such as flamenco."
  • "Confidence she gained, being asked to stay year round, friends made, location in DC"
  • "Local"
  • "Positive environment , staff"
  • "My daughter’s technique improved tremendously. The teachers were fair, nurturing and gave individual attention and correction.. The students were supportive of each other. My daughter was sad when it ended!"
  • "Living in Washington DC was fanstastic."
  • "Variety of teachers, helpful chaperones, overall inviting atmosphere. Teachers were thorough with explanations and tailored/helpful corrections. Structure of daily classes: conditioning, tech, and pointe in the morning followed by other genres and rep in the afternoon. Having onsite PT was also super helpful."
  • "It was appreciated how every dancer got individual attention to help them improve. It was a judge free space and the teachers weren’t extremely picky and worked with you."
  • "1:1 corrections with great teachers"
  • "Attention from teachers was wonderful and environment was supportive. Lot's of clear corrections and feedback, and an investment in student development. My dancer felt challenged, successful, strong, and improved. Housing and staff was great - lots of support while also a good amount of independence."
  • "It’s a smaller program size wise, so might make a good first intensive away."
  • "Loved the teachers and attention. Loved exploring DC. The classes were challenging."
  • "The culture there though demanding was extremely supportive and encouraging."

Least liked about program

  • "The program may have started too intense, my daughter came home very tired since the very first day, not bad at all- however going from no dance for 2 weeks straight into an intense summer program from the get-go- she injured her leg right in the middle of the first week!"
  • "Older facility, studios were hot, hard to access PT bc the same few dancers would access the google doc as soon as it was available and fill all the spots for the week, leveling didn't feel equitable, and lots of time spent on the showcase"
  • "Nothing"
  • "n/a"
  • "Not challenged"
  • "Not enough partnering"
  • "Washington Ballet has a few studios within the same area. My daughter was in the lower level intensive, and the studio was not great. It was older, on the small side, but it was functional. The studio where the demonstration was held was new and wonderful. But this is a very minor thing, as my daughter loved her SI and we highly recommend it!"
  • "Not many students lived in the dorms."
  • "A small number of teachers(1-2) had favorites, but nonetheless classes were strong and helpful even with these particular teachers."
  • "very little partnering classes (i only got one partnering class the whole 5 weeks)"
  • "no dedicated men's training."
  • "My dancer would have preferred more equal time spent on other dance styles. Though she had a couple classes in Flamenco, Contemporary, and Modern, her group was picked to perform a Jazz piece so she had mostly Jazz classes. She already had a lot of Jazz experience and would have loved an opportunity to explore more Flamenco or Modern."
  • "Little to no movement in placements, placements done almost exclusively by age. Lower level studios have little to no windows/natural light."
  • "Public transportation. It was hot."
  • "Lack of partnering at certain levels."

Suggested changes to program

  • "Start it off a little smoother, slower as it progresses since some dancers had a little break between school and intensive. Include dancers not in dorms to excursions, my daughter loved all the girls she met that came from out of town, she would have loved to go on the group outings with them as well. (Especially at the beginning, everyone is intimidated by everyone else!) Maybe invite the girls not staying at the dorms for a "sleep over" or something so they can get to see what the dorm experience is like as well."
  • "Smaller classes, guest teachers for all groups, less emphasis on final showcase, and make the standards/expectations for levels equitable. Felt that year round students had preferential treatment for class placement (higher levels) despite those dancers missing classes and/or not attending all five weeks."
  • "Nothing!"
  • "n/a"
  • "Fewer students per teacher"
  • "More partnering"
  • "My daughter wanted it to be longer. The lower level intensive was 4 weeks while the upper division is 5."
  • "Each level had many different ages. For example, one level had students as young as 11 and as old as 18. There were not enough 11 year olds at the same level to have an 11/ 12 class, for example."
  • "In the dorms, better clarity at the beginning of the SI regarding what behaviors constitute infractions...some very small things received "strike" consequences. Even so, all chaperones were reportedly very kind. The only thing to change would be more examples/clarity in the initial dorm meeting."
  • "i would add more partnering classes."
  • "daily mens classes"
  • "A meal plan, more partnering classes (need more male dancers enrolled)"
  • "They randomly place dancers with roommates who are the same age. This is fine, but would also be helpful to send out some kind of a Google form to demonstrate consideration in roommate placement: cleanliness habits, night owl vs sleeping early, party room vs wanting a quiet place to unwind, etc."
  • "More partnering."
  • "N/A"

Culture of program

  • "My daughter made some very nice friends, everyone was very nice and respectful once the ice was broken. The teachers were amazing, my daughter was so nervous about doing the intensive but as it progressed, she told me the teachers made her feel comfortable- but challenged as well!"
  • "While my dancer didn’t have any personal conflicts with one particular instructor, my dancer repeatedly witnessed her roll her eyes, respond to students with condescending and sarcastic comments and get frustrated when dancers asked to use the restroom or get water. This instructor routinely arrived late and ended classes early. That said, overall, the instructors are good and kind."
  • "Inviting, supportive, challenging and serious - in a good way! An all-around positive environment."
  • "Definitely a serious / intense program, but in a good and positive way. Strong rapport with the teachers and fellow dancers."
  • "Professional and caring"
  • "Not too intense. Big groups."
  • "Very positive, encouraging, they want the best for every single student"
  • "Supportive, nurturing, warm, welcoming, with great focus on technique."
  • "Warm culture. Inclusive"
  • "Very inviting, healthy culture, caring teachers, staff and chaperones."
  • "On the smaller side, lax but still a level of prestige, good for a dancer’s first intensive"
  • "extremely supportive - best one I've been apart of"
  • "Supportive, positive, welcoming."
  • "Good"
  • "Positive, inclusive, challenging"
  • "Warm, encouraging, positive, challenging"

Other comments

  • "Thank you for the opportunity, my daughter learned a lot this summer, made some lifelong friendships and loved every teacher and staff member. She can not wait to start the dance year at TWSB!"
  • "The program was solid, though it may not be the best choice if you’re looking for significant & dramatic overall improvement. But, it was an enjoyable overall experience."
  • "Outstanding all-around program. Fantastic ballet training in a safe, fun environment. Dorm community was relatively small so dancers got to know one another. Life-long friendships were formed and top-notch training. The final performances were incredible!"
  • "It’s a solid program. The quality really depends on who you get as a main teacher."
  • "RAs were jewels! Knew every child. Were strict but kind."
  • "Excellent experience both at the intensive and in the dorms. Lots of freedom and independence to explore the local area, but with strong safety precautions in place."
  • "- About half of the students are commuters/year round students at the Washington School of Ballet - The dorms are veryyyyy nice and clean. Students dorm at American University. - We also had little surprise weekday excursions and activities here and there like the Kennedy Center, National Portrait Gallery, and the Zoo, but it varies."
  • "If you are a girl, this is an A+ intensive, if you are a boy and want dedicated mens program, you may want to look elsewhere."
  • "Classes are on the larger size. For dorming dancers, the fact that there isn’t a solid meal plan option is something parents need to consider. According to the handbook there is one but they discourage students from signing up for it bc it’s apparently not a popular choice. As such, my child didn’t know anyone with a meal plan and was not on the meal plan either. Dancers grocery shop and are responsible for making all three meals on their own unless they leave the studio daily and walk 10 minutes to the nearby grocery store/restaurants to grab something. cooking and grocery shopping at this age sounds great in theory but actually ends up being kind of inconvenient after a day of classes, and results in most dancers eating frozen meals and junk food most of the summer; there is very little cooking and healthier eating going on."
  • "Be prepared to make your own meals. It wasn't too bad, but you needed tools and a plan."
  • "My daughter could not have received better care and attention along with easy communication during a battle with an injury. The school prorated tuition back to us within a few days when she needed to head for home and inquired about her after we left. If you want a challenging environment with lots of dancing along with teachers and peers that support you this is your place."
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Age: 17
Overall Rating

Attended 2026
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 15
Overall Rating

Attended 2026
3 out of 5 rating
Age: 15
Overall Rating

Attended 2026, Stayed In Housing
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 13
Overall Rating

Attended 2026
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 17
Overall Rating

Attended 2025, Stayed In Housing
4 out of 5 rating
Age: 16
Overall Rating

Attended 2025
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 13
Overall Rating

Attended 2024, Stayed In Housing
5 out of 5 rating
Age: 14
Overall Rating

Attended 2024, Stayed In Housing
4 out of 5 rating
Age: 16
Overall Rating

Attended 2024
4 out of 5 rating
Age: 15
Overall Rating

Attended 2024, Stayed In Housing
5 out of 5 rating