New Jersey School of Ballet

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General

Who is Reviewing?

Parent

Program:

New Jersey School of Ballet

Season Attended:

2024-25

# Of Levels In School:

Academy had multiple levels- nighttime program

Dancer Age:

Hours of Dance Each Week:

11-15 hours

Company Affliated?

Yes

Was Student Scholarshipped?

Please Describe Scholarship:

N/A

Years At School:

1 year

Full time or after school?

Full-Time

Curriculum

Days Per Week:

Classes Per Day:

Weekend Classes?

Yes

Weekend Schedule:

Full day

Students Per Class:

Less than 10

Weekly Repertoire or Variations?

Yes

Pointe Classes Per Week:

Live Music in Technique Class?

Dedicated Men's Program?

Boys In Level:

There were no boys in my level

Techniques Taught:

Balanchine

Technique Teacher Rotation:

The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule

Did School Director Teach?

Often

Classroom Corrections:

Occasionally dancer specific: mostly general corrections were given

Attention From Teachers:


Very Little	A Lot

Quality of Instruction:


Poor	Excellent

Did Technique Improve?


Not at all	Tremendously

Curriculum Comments:

Technique and pointe followed by variations or partnering (with company members), and/or Pilates (once per week first thing). During performance months, rehearsals in afternoons.

Partnering

Frequency of Partnering Class:

1x per week

Partner Ratio:

Everyone had to share a partner.

Who Taught?

Male teacher

How Much Partnering Improved:


No	Tremendously

Quality of Pas Teaching:


Poor	Excellent

How Were Corrections Given?

Corrections were general and there was little attention paid to any specific person

Description of Partnering Class:

With company men, based on Nut or other variations taught from class. Dancers switched with company male dancers. My dancer liked this class the most.

Additional Comments:

The teacher was a professional dancer and helped everyone feel at ease.

Other Classes

Other Dance Styles:

None

Contemporary Offered?

Master Classes?

Yes

Master Classes Description:

Contemporary 4-5 times

Strength & Conditioning

Physical Training Offered?

Yes

Physical Training Types:

Pilates (mat or reformer), Stretch class, Other

Physical Training Schedule:

Once or twice a week

Were Trainers Certified?

Some were certified and some were not depending on class

Physical Training Quality:


Poor	Excellent

Strength & Conditioning Comments:

Overall described as good tiring before class but helpful (Pilates and Wellness)

Injuries/Health/ Mental Health

Are Doctors Available?

Yes, for everyone

How Parents Notified?

My student did not get injured

How Treatment Obtained?

There was a company PT available occasionally.

PT Available?

Yes, it is part of fees

Was There a Recovery Plan?

My dancer did not get injured

Mental Health Therapists Available?

Were Students Given Fat Talk?

Staff Made Comments About Bodies?

Were Students Weighed?

Was "Coded Language" Used?

Maybe

Additional Comments:

Not really addressed

Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker

Performance Opportunities:

2-3

School Winter Show?

Yes

Company or School Show?

Company affiliated production and the students perform certain parts

Cast in Winter Show?

Yes

How Chosen:

Chosen by school director or the company artistic staff

Winter Show Role:

I had both types of parts

Were You Paid?

Rehearsal Impact on Classes:

Rehearsal Hours:

More than 10

Performance: Ballet Season

Cast in Company Productions?

Yes

Kind of Part Given?

Dancing part

How Chosen:

Students chosen for roles by staff - NO AUDITIONS

Was Casting Fair?

For some but not all

Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?

Rehearsal Hours:

More than 10

Perfomance Opportunities:

Students were selected for Corps roles for the Nutcracker and Spring classical ballet performance. A select few (2nd year or others) selected for other company productions.

Were You Paid?

Competition

School Does Competitions?

Communication

Formal Orientation?

Handboook & Paperwork:

No handbook provided

Quality of Communication?


Poor	Excellent

Who Received Communication?

With dancers only. Parents not involved

Exams

Formal Exam?

School Culture

How Supported Did Student Feel By Staff?


Not	Completely

How Supportive Were Students of One Another?


Not	Completely

Describe School Culture:

Professional, sometimes supportive, aloof

Placement Notification Timing:

Not really, said it was a one year program. My dancer auditioned as recommended.

How Dancer Was Notified:

In-person meeting with school director/staff

Dancer Had Mentor?

Mentoring Details:

Not available, more of a second company structure.

Overall School Culture:


Lord of the Flies	Warm & Inclusive

School Outcomes

Highest Levels of School?

Trainee, Junior Company

How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level:

10%

Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go:

All find bridge level positions at other ballet schools

How Many Left and Went to College?

None

Career Support:

Received no help - I was on my own

Describe How School Helped:

None

Building & Surrounding Area

Security Around Building:

Safety of Area Around School?


Not Safe	Extremely Safe

Studio Space:


Cramped	Lots of space

Studio Cleanliness:


Dirty	Spotless

Housing

Was Housing Provided?

Yes

Did Dancer Stay in Provided Housing?

Yes

Type of Housing Provided::

Dorms

Housing Minimum Age:

# of Roommates::

Adequate # of RA's?


Not at all	Absolutely

Type of Bathrooms::

Private in suite

Curfew?

Curfew Reasonable?

Yes

Nightly Room Check?

Dorm Strictness:


Extremely Lax	Extremely Strict

How Infractions Handled?

My student had no infractions this year (as far as I know!)

How Roommate Issues Handled?

They all got along well and carpooled to rehearsals, performances and classes.

Housing Cleanliness:


Dirty	Spotless

Students Required to Clean Room?

Yes

Laundry Available?

Yes

Laundry Free?

Evening Activities?

A/C In Room?

Yes

Weekend Outings?

Transportation Between Housing and Studios?

None

Safety Around Housing:


Not Safe	Very Safe

Overall Rating of Housing:


Poor	Excellent

Additional Comments:

It was very hot in the winter- older building- NJ did address this.

Meal Plan

Meal Plan?

Academics

How Did Academics Work?

Separate e.g. online, independent study, etc.

Academic Support:

There were no formal study requirements. Students were on their own

Did the School Support Academics?


Didn't support	Definitely supported

Overall Program Grades

Overall Dance Instruction:

C-

Career Support and Placement:

C-

Emotional Support:

Housing & Food:

B+

Performance Opportunities:

B+

Overall Comments

Program's Best Aspect:

Dancing with company members, partnering, technique classes, performance opportunities when given, guesting teachers from Academy

Program's Worst Aspect:

Vague corrections. No specific feedback until the end. Could have been a little more supportive of students.

What Changes Would Be Helpful?

Trainee / PTD director for trainees. Mentoring, modern and contemporary more often, career support

Anything Else We Should Know?

If your dancer is company ready and has a background in Balanchine technique, this will be a good fit. Likewise, dancers coming from a residential or three letter training facility may do better than those coming from a local studio. Marks below reflect what I saw over the year. Other dancers may feel differently based on their background and experience.

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