The levels are by grade. The amount of students vary by how many can train at that level. They so not be able to stay for the next year/level if their technique is not adequate. There is a CLP (bridge program) it is unpaid, but the school has housing at a discounted rate.
Grade6-12 and a bridge program called Company Life Program
Goes thru grade 12 & there is a post grad bridge level available
2
Grade 6-CLP (Company Life Experience)
6th grade through Company Life Program
Full-time program runs from Grade 6 - 12
Sometimes grades were mixed
Grade 6 through company life program. Grades 6-9 are the junior school. Grades 10-12 are the senior school. Company Life Program is the postgraduate level (can be 2 years)
Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12, Company life program (postgraduate).
Dancer Age
12
13
14
15
16
17
Hours of Dance Each Week
21-25 hours
Gender
Female
Male
Company Affliated?
No
Yes
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
NBS does not offer merit scholarships it is solely on your ability to pay. They do a rigorous financial assessment and determination your financial aid.
NBS uses Apple Financial to assess financial need
Years At School
1 year
2 years
3 years
4 years
7 or more years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
6
Classes Per Day
2
3
4
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Full day
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
Less than 10
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
5
Daily
N/A
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
Unsure
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Unsure
Yes
Boys In Level
11-15
5-10
Less than 5
Unsure
Separate Technique Class for Boys
Yes
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Always
Never (school admin was NOT designated as an upper level teacher)
Occasionally
Often
Classroom Corrections
Dancer specific: almost every dancer got specific corrections each day
Dancer specific: detailed but only a few dancers consistently got corrections
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
1 technique visas per day and 1 other ie. contemporary, variations, partnering. The second class of the day rotated.
Ballet & pointe, conditioning and depending on the week it could be partnering, variations or another form of dance for grades 6-9
General classical but has its own progressive curriculum through the grades
Vagonova, Pointe, Rehearsals, Pas de deus, very little modern/contemporary, no conditioning
Ballet class technique daily. Other classes rotated,
Ballet in the morning followed by academics in afternoon with ballet class after too -
Technique and pointe daily.
We have technique, pointe, conditioning, partnering, contemporary, afrofusion and rehearsals depending on the time of year.
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
2x per week
3x per week
No partnering
Partner Ratio
A few girls had to share but most had their own partner.
Everyone had to share a partner.
Who Taught?
It varied based on the week
Male and female teacher together
Male teacher
How Much Partnering Improved
No
1
2
3
4
5
Tremendously
Quality of Pas Teaching
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
How Were Corrections Given?
Attention and corrections were evenly distributed between the males and females
The teacher focused on one or two couples and the rest of the students were on their own
Description of Partnering Class
Traditional. NBS focused a lot of training for a core so spacing was ways emphasized.
Partnering starts grade 8, very basic
Progressive skills based on physical maturity
Partnering class was always a favorite of my sons. I think because his school held off introducing partnering until they were older that they were really ready when it came time.
Inconsistent
General partnering class
Additional Comments
NBS protected the male dancers by making sure it was safe and they were able to do the level of partnering taught.
No
No
Excellent program
Inconsistent - 5 boys and many females
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
African
Afro Fusion
Character
Jazz
Modern
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
No
Yes
Types of Contemporary Classes Taught
Choreography workshops
Improv
Repertoire
Technique
Contemporary Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Master Classes?
No
Yes
Master Classes Description
Directors from other companies would come and teach as well as exchange programs for dancers to go to other schools.
Na
Various professional dancers would come in and teach various master classes on the weekends.
Rehearsals, rehearsals, pointe, pas de deux though inconsistent, repertoire
No master classes but they do have performance opportunities where choreographers come and teach and rehearse for specific shows. Also there is an exchange program that sends dancers to other schools and vice-versa, hosts dancers from other schools at various points during the school year.
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
No
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Body rolling
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Progressing Ballet Technique
Stretch class
Weight training
Yoga
Physical Training Schedule
Daily
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
No
No
Body conditioning, stretch, yoga
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Yes
Yes, for everyone
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
Parent was informed same day, in person
School called parent
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
They have a Pediatrician and Physio on staff
Chaperone would take student to appointment
School set it up
The school had doctors that visited the children in residence
Daughter was scared and not open and staff said nothing
My student was not injured but NBS has an Artistic Health Dept that consists of a full time Nurse Practitioner, a physiotherapist, an athlete therapist/conditioning coach and a yoga instructor. They also conduct physio screens to help identify specific training needs for each dancer to hopefully prevent injury.
Yes and no. PT availability was better in the year being documented but was not good in prior two years.
yes
Physiotherapist on site
PT Available?
Yes, for extra fee
Yes, it is part of fees
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
No
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
Any therapy and modifications are made before a dancer returns. They are assessed before taking away modifications.
PT and they slowly ease you back
Detailed between PT/AD/ orthopedic surgeon
Have no clue
Students either went to special classes ir injured or observed class. Not a lot of information provided to parents.
Mental Health Therapists Available?
No
Yes
Yes, for everyone
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Unsure
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
No
Unsure
Yes
Was "Coded Language" Used?
Maybe
No
Yes
Additional Comments
NBS is incredibly safe for young dancers.
Excellent mental health resources
All a fancy facade including the government sponsored health and wellness research centre. No support. All staff emeshed with one another.
Very good mental health and support, they have an academic class dedicated to discussing issues related to mental health, performing, nutrition, being away from home, etc…
Some inappropriate comments about being able to see someone's lunch after lunch and some emphasis on being princess like. Not a lot of focus on injury prevention or conditioning as far as I can see. Pilates was recommended in earlier grades but it had to be done out of school and paid for.
Mental health therapy was forced without parental consent
Excellent mental health program
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
1
2-3
4-5
School Winter Show?
No
Yes
Company or School Show?
Company affiliated production and the students perform certain parts
School puts on it's own production and students dance all the parts
Cast in Winter Show?
No, my level typically does not perform in winter show
Yes
How Chosen
Chosen by school director or the company artistic staff
Winter Show Role
"Standing around part" e.g. party attendant, royal guard, etc.
Dancing part
I had both types of parts
Were You Paid?
No
Yes
If Paid, Please Describe
N/A
Paid per part, travel, food not included
Rehearsal Impact on Classes
5
Rehearsal Hours
3-5
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
No
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
Dancing part
I had both types of parts
How Chosen
A few students are chosen by the Artistic Staff
All students allowed to audition
Was Casting Fair?
No
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
1
4
5
Perfomance Opportunities
Younger students participate in Nutcracker, some students are selected to dance in appropriate company performances. The school has its own theater for performances throughout the year danced by all the students.
N/A
Dependant on financial status. Favourites picked.
Were You Paid?
No
Competition
School Does Competitions?
No
Communication
Formal Orientation?
No
Yes
Handboook & Paperwork
Comprehensive and complete. I knew what to expect for the year
Fairly comprehensive but missing a few pieces
Quality of Communication?
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Who Received Communication?
With dancers only. Parents not involved
With parents and students
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
Yes
Written Feedback?
Yes
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Agree
Strongly agree
Strongly disagree
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
Yes and parents are included. The meeting was with Artistic Director and my teachers
Yes, Dancer only. The meeting was with Artistic Director and my teachers
Yes, dancer only. The meeting was with my teachers.
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
They don’t promote everyone each year so there is some stress, but the school is very communicative and uses very encouraging language around these discussions. The dancers who do not get accepted for the next year are helped in finding another program.
May - and each year, kids are asked to leave until Gr 11.
Mid May
Mid summer
Spring time
How Dancer Was Notified
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Yes
Mentoring Details
No formal mentoring program in place. But the school’s older students are very accessible and the student govt is great at keeping all students engaged and involved.
Each student in the senior school has a set teacher for the entire year that we consistently have meetings with.
Overall School Culture
Lord of the Flies
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
School Outcomes
Is Student In Upper Levels?
No
Yes
Highest Levels of School?
Post- Graduate/Graduate
Post- Graduate/Graduate, Apprentice (only if it is not part of the company)
Post- Graduate/Graduate, There are no bridge levels
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
Last year there were at least 7
Don’t know
I am not sure
All
50%
90%
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
3-5
Don’t know
I’m not sure
None typically
Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go
A few find positions elsewhere but most leave ballet
All find bridge level positions at other ballet schools
Some find positions elsewhere and about half leave ballet
How Many Left and Went to College?
10%
2
None
Not sure
Unsure
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Received lots of help
Received some help
Describe How School Helped
Everyone in their Senior receives a placement counselor. The Director is also involved in setting up auditions.
AD communicated with AD at new program
They helped with his résumé, helped with pictures. They help setting up audition and all the material needed.
Dancer had to do it but spoke to an assigned staff that did very little.
designated individual mentorship and classes to help us take the next step.
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
Housing
Was Housing Provided?
Yes
Did Dancer Stay in Provided Housing?
No
Yes
Where Did Dancer Live?
Lived at home
Type of Housing Provided:
Boarding house
Dorms
Host families
Housing Minimum Age
10
11
12
6th grade
Grade 6
not sure, maybe 9 or 10 years
# of Roommates:
1
3
Adequate # of RA's?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Absolutely
Type of Bathrooms:
One big bathroom on the floor
2 big bathrooms per floor
One big bathroom on the floor
One big bathroom on the floor
One big bathroom on the floor
Different buildings and different floors can have different setups, but 1 or more large shared bathrooms on floor with private shower stalls
One big bathroom on the floor
A few big bathrooms on floor and some floors have a few private bathrooms as well
Multiple bathrooms on floor
Curfew?
Yes
Curfew Reasonable?
Yes
Nightly Room Check?
No
Yes
Dorm Strictness
Extremely Lax
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Strict
How Infractions Handled?
Fair
My student had no infractions this year (as far as I know!)
Skewed depending on student
Skewed depending on the RA
How Roommate Issues Handled?
We didn’t have any
No conflicts
Verbally between roommates-didn’t need RA involvement
They usually met with each roommate individually and then together and helped facilitate conversations and come up with solutions
Were not
No conflict
Resident counsellors typically sided with non-white students
No conflicts this year
Room switch if extreme.
Housing Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Students Required to Clean Room?
No
Yes
Laundry Available?
Yes
Laundry Free?
No
Yes
Evening Activities?
No
Yes
A/C In Room?
No
Yes
Weekend Outings?
No
Yes
Transportation Between Housing and Studios?
Housing is connected to the school
Walked with chaperone
Walked without chaperone
Safety Around Housing
Not Safe
1
2
3
4
5
Very Safe
Overall Rating of Housing
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Additional Comments
Na
My son had a wonderful experience and lived in the residence provided by the school for seven years. He felt loved and supported by the counselors that lived on the floor with them and the staff that worked in the front desk area as well as the kitchen area. I can’t say enough good things about this program.
Sex, drugs and alcohol. Students experimenting and acting out. Competitive. Sexual assault not reported but counsellor fired.
Very safe! I felt like my child was so well taken care of by all the residence staff. She loves living there with her classmates and has made incredible friendships.
Kids are allowed to run wild. Residence counsellors had favourites. Kids were allowed to play loud music late at night. Poorly ran overall.
Meal Plan
Meal Plan?
Yes
Food Quality
Gross
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Enough Food?
No
Yes
Late Meals Available?
No
Sometimes
Yes
Dancer w/ Dietary Needs?
No
Academics
How Did Academics Work?
Integrated
Academic Support
Students attended in person classes provided by school
Students were required to attend study hours regularly
Did the School Support Academics?
Didn't support
1
2
3
4
5
Definitely supported
Overall Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A
A-
A+
B+
D
Career Support and Placement
A
A+
B
B-
D
Emotional Support
A+
B
C
C+
D
Housing & Food
A
A+
B
D
N/A
Performance Opportunities
A
A+
C
D
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
Safety and educational opportunities
Everything so far. Very impressed
Wholistic but realistic approach
The professional training and the love and support provided by all the staff. It was an excellent program and I can’t say anything but good things about it. I would highly recommend this program to any serious child who is interested in a career as a ballet dancer. It’s not for everyone. The student must be very serious and embrace this way of living away from your family and studying and being very serious about their dancing career.
Studios
This is a top notch program. The dancing, the ballet training is exceptional, but my favorite aspect of NBS is the culture. They want every single dancer there to feel safe, supported and valuable. And when young dancers feel that way they can truly make the most of the amazing opportunities presented to them at NBS.
Teachers know their stuff - technically strong
The Nutcracker was fun, but certain roles were based on size and not on skill.
The culture of the school. The level of ballet.
The people
Program's Worst Aspect
Nothing
Distance from home
It was very hard to be apart from my son for so much time. We lived in Connecticut, then New York and The school was in Toronto.
Lack of communication, archaic teaching methods, facade, elitist
Just how far away our child is from home.
My daughter had the same teacher for all three years at NBS - which seemed strange to us. The teacher was not a good fit but school refused to place her in another class. Teacher was a relatively new teacher and there seemed to be very little oversight or mentoring of her. It is an "up or out" school which makes for a very pressured intense experience. Some kids handle it well - mine didn't. Teachers appear to have favorites and if you are not one, this can sap your confidence. Daughter was not asked back for Gr 9 - and once they have the conversation with you, they are done with you - you never hear from them again. Academics are mixed - some teachers are good, others not - and dance is prioritized over learning.
The program can be boring. They selectively choose which students or what grades get to participate in other opportunities. The environment seemed stale. They brought in a new director, but even that doesn't seem to have changed the program much. Their residence is very poorly run and can be toxic to live in. Bullying is often overlooked.
This year they changed the format of the second round of auditions from a summer school audition to weeklong short stays during the school year. This was a bit disruptive to the year round students.
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
Adding Pilates would be nice
Na
Nothing
Communication to parents and a reality check on the health and wellness of youth
Exit process - timing, language, support afterwards all has to change. Better connections between students who board and those who live at home, especially younger kids. More mental health support built into program. More performance opportunities.
Students need more performance opportunities to keep them interested. The program is boring.
Go back to second stage auditions over summer
Anything Else We Should Know?
Parents, do not send your child anywhere unless you fully understand how professional schools work. There needs to be change!
It's not for everyone!
A very small portion make it into the company and only some make it into the company life program. Even the company life program can be a waste of time for most. It's hard to get a good sense of their success rate after graduation. I don't recommend sending a student there.
My dancer has grown so much in every aspect from ballet to overall maturity. This has been a fantastic, safe place for her to grow into an accomplished dancer and human overall
Ballet schedules are given day of, can be hard to work around.
