"Intermediate: B2 and Int Men. Advanced: C1, C2, D and Advanced Men"
"There are 4 levels in pre professional B2/C1/C2/D"
"2"
"5"
"4 levels for girls in advanced divison:B, C1,C2, D"
"Two levels intermediate and advanced men"
"Intermediate division is B1, B2 and intermediate men; Advanced division is C1, C2, D and Advanced Men. Some are then chosen for apprenticeships with NYCB which is a paid position."
"There is the children's division, then Intermediate Mens, and then Advanced Mens"
"For male training in pre-pro its intermediate men and advanced men"
Level Dancer Was In
Repeated Responses:
"C1" (2 responses)
"Advanced Men" (2 responses)
"Advanced Mens" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
"Intermediate and Advanced Divsion"
"Level C2"
"Advanced C2"
Dancer Age
15
16
17
18
Hours of Dance Each Week
16-20 hours
21-25 hours
Gender
Female
Male
Company Affliated?
Yes
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
"No merit scholarships. Need based aid provided if necessary."
"N/A"
"A Donor covered half of her tuition"
"Financial Aid after a financial assessment"
"My answer is actually yes and no. Winter term only offers financial based scholarships you apply for. They do not have merit only based scholarships. Some students receiving the financial based scholarships are chosen based on merit by artistic staff to be given "Named Scholarships" which are named for specific donors. My dancer's Named Scholarship covers all tuition and half her boarding costs."
Years At School
1 year
2 years
3 years
7 or more years
Full time or after school?
Full-Time
Curriculum
Days Per Week
6
Classes Per Day
2
3
Weekend Classes?
Yes
Weekend Schedule
Full day
Half day
Students Per Class
10-15
16-24
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
5
Daily
N/A
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
Yes
Men Taught by Male Teacher?
Yes
Men Taught Batterie?
Unsure
Yes
Boys In Level
11-15
16-20
More than 20
Separate Technique Class for Boys
Yes
Techniques Taught
Balanchine
Technique Teacher Rotation
Different depending on week
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Did School Director Teach?
Always
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
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
"All Balanchine. Technique, Pointe, Contemporary, Variations, Adagio (Pas). Additionally, strength training, Pilates, music. Some days only Technique and Pointe, most days also a third , supplemental class. Levels are B2, C1, C2, D. Men's Intermediate. Men's Advanced."
"Curriculum is solid and composed of technique, variation, partnering, with some added workout such as pilates"
"Technique everyday taken on point for advanced female dancers, rep, and partnering"
"Monday through Saturday there are 2 to 3 classes per day. Technique is fully en pointe starting in C1 and is daily for 1.5 hours. It's followed by 1.5 hours of either pointe class or variations. Several days per week there is a 3rd class of either partnering, pilates, or contemporary."
"Advanced Men classes are Monday-Saturday, typically with two technique classes a day, plus variations and adagio classes twice a week, plus contemporary. In addition, there are strength and conditioning classes and rehearsals most days but I did not include those as regular classes. My son also does a private pilates class 5-6 times a week."
"2-3 classes per day, technique every day, adagio, conditioning, jumps and turns, variations, repertory, contemporary"
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
2x per week
3x per week
Daily
Partner Ratio
A few girls had to share but most had their own partner.
Everyone had to share a partner.
Most girls had to share a partner.
None, there were enough boys for every girl.
Who Taught?
It varied based on the week
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
Description of Partnering Class
"If girls shared a boy partner, it was only with one other girl. Partnering is a favorite class. The instruction is outstanding; the teachers emphasize trust, spatial awareness, mutual communication, core stability, and safety. Since the younger dancers are all learning together, faculty prioritizes creating an environment where the students build confidence while learning proper technique safely."
"Very good with emphasize on mutual respect and slow progression for safety"
"Partnering is available at every level for intermediate and advanced, there are more girls levels so boys do have more partnering than girls."
"Adagio partnering class is taught by the director"
"Unsure"
"Mainly advanced men with advanced girls, but sometimes the boys held classes with younger girls to start partnering"
"Usually 1-2 female dancers for each male. C1 had one class per week with Advanced Men and one class per week with Intermediate Men. This was 3 hours per week of partnering total."
"Advanced men have one two-hour class with D level, and one one-hour class with C level each week, very intense but fun classes. A lot of additional partnering instruction during rehearsals also."
"Adagio with level D girls twice a week and C2 girls once a week"
Additional Comments
"Teachers encourage students to sanitize their hands before/after class during cold and flu season—a small gesture that reinforces respect and consideration for one another that speaks to the culture at large."
"Some girls students always get the same partner and it's limiting"
"its one of my dancer's favorite classes"
"They learn many NYCB pieces"
"No"
"The advanced female students were very knowledgeable and took a leadership role in the partnership"
"Partnering instruction is great. In C2 and D it is only once per week though (one hour with Advanced Men). My dancer wishes she'd have as much partnering class in C2 as she did in C1."
"Always challenging and get to partner lots of different dancers"
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
Contemporary
Modern
None
Other Class Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Contemporary Offered?
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
"Visiting directors, teachers and ballet masters/rep directors work with the students, sometimes for a day or two, sometimes for a week or more. They don't necessarily call it a "master class" but students have many opportunities to work with people from outside the school in a focused way."
"Renowned choreographers master classes were offered"
"Lots of different master teachers throughout the year"
"In C1 they do have guest teachers occasionally but they teach during regular class time, not as a separate master class type scenario."
"Choreography institute comes to work with students and students get to work with Justin Peck to learn about choreography and stage setting, lighting etc"
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body conditioning
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Weight training
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
"In the fall of 2025, SAB opened a state-of-the-art wellness floor dedicated to supporting students' physical and mental well-being, featuring a strength and conditioning studio and a fully equipped Pilates studio. (In addition to PT treatment rooms and a student lounge)"
"The strength and conditioning department that was over publicized this year looks good on paper but has contributed to more injuries and it's still not established in a way that benefit all students."
"The lady that teaches pilates for apple workouts in the Pilates teacher at SAB"
"Dancers have access to the pilates room throughout the week as well as two organized pilates classes each week. Some levels also have additional strength/conditioning classes during the week."
"Strength and conditioning for advanced men is twice a week with daily pilates offered except Sundays."
"There is a whole wellness section with daily pilates and strength and conditioning sessions offered in addition to regular strength and conditioning classes"
Injuries / Health / Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
No
Yes
Yes, for everyone
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
School called parent
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
"My student never experienced serious injury. She had a few minor issues that came and went, all of which were treated and carefully monitored by the physical therapy team."
"No but definitely help with PT even though it didn't happen to my dancer because she didn't get injured"
"PT onsite, residential students have access to urgent care and ongoing medical care, accompanied by staff if they are under 18."
"Through a school PT and then an external referral"
"School set up appointments with orthopedic doctor and staff member accompanied her to all appointments."
PT Available?
Unsure
Yes, it is part of fees
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
"n/a"
"N/A"
"She sat out until cleared by doctor, then slowly returned starting in flats while being overseen by PT."
Mental Health Therapists Available?
Yes
Yes, for everyone
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Yes
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Unsure
Were Students Weighed?
No
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Yes
Additional Comments
"A counselor, nutritionist, nurse, and PT are all available to students, which really shows that the school makes these services a top priority."
"It was over publicized this year as a big change for the school but yet, students still look more and more thin and mention being miserable due to the pressure to be seen but would never say it out loud by fear of retribution."
"No"
"They have seminars regarding injury prevention, nutrition, and mental health. As far as injuries, the school is very clear that they want dancers to sit out if they're having any pain and don't want them to push through injuries."
"SAB has a dedicated wellness program and for resident students, every student has a mandatory introductory meeting with a counselor, sports nutritionist, and PT when they begin at SAB and are strongly encouraged to use those resources if they are needed. Every resident student also has a staff advisor they check in with throughout the year."
"A counselor, nutritionist, nurse and PT are all available to the students"
Performances: Winter Show / Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
13-15
2-3
4-5
School Winter Show?
No
Yes
Company or School Show?
School puts on it's own production and students dance all the parts
Cast in Winter Show?
Yes
How Chosen
Chosen by school director or the company artistic staff
Winter Show Role
Dancing part
Were You Paid?
No
Yes
If Paid, Please Describe
"SAB presents two performances each year, and every student participates.
In addition, NYCB occasionally casts SAB students in non-dancing roles for its productions. Students selected to participate are paid on a per-performance basis. The casting, participation and payment process is organized and runs smoothly."
Rehearsal Impact on Classes
Disruptions
1
2
3
4
5
No Impact
Rehearsal Hours
1-2
More than 10
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
No
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
"Standing around part" e.g. party attendant, royal guard, etc.
Dancing part
How Chosen
A few students are chosen by the Artistic Staff
Students chosen for roles by staff - NO AUDITIONS
Was Casting Fair?
For some but not all
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
Disruptions
1
2
3
4
5
No Impact
Rehearsal Hours
1-2
3-5
6-10
More than 10
Perfomance Opportunities
"Winter showcase (in studio), Ball (Koch Theater), Workshop (Julliard Theater)."
"Performances opportunities are multiple for Winter Ball, Workshop and some choreographic events. But the school gives the main roles to always the same 5-6 students, repeating the same casting over and over every year."
"Annual Workshop, Community Lecture-Demonstrations, and sometimes cast in company productions (some students get cast in dancing roles with the company for large productions, but it is not very common)"
"Stand around part with NYCB and dancing part with SAB- lecture demonstration and winter show"
"Showcase, community shows, sponsors performances, balls, nutcrackers"
"NYCB Toulmin Choreography workshops, Student choreography workshops (we get to choreograph pieces ourselves and also dance for other students choreographing pieces), SAB Ball performance, Contemporary performance, Community Performances "The Beauty of Ballet" and end of year Workshop performances and Workshop Benefit"
"student choreography workshop, winter showing, ny choreography workshop, SAB Ball, SAB workshops and benefit, community outreach performances"
Were You Paid?
No
Yes
If Paid, Please Describe
"NYCB: Supers $10/show and an additional $10 for one stage dress rehearsal"
"Show"
"Paid for the stand around part with NYCB"
"My son was paid for his performances in the "The Beauty of Ballet" community performances. He was paid per show."
Competition
School Does Competitions?
No
Communication
Formal Orientation?
Yes
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 dancers only. Parents not involved
With parents and students
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
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
"SAB Educational Culture: Professionalism, Holistic Care, Excellence, Diversity, Respect"
"Very competitive, a few students are adored and constantly cast by the director and others are unseen and not cared about"
"rigorous, competitive, exceptional mens training"
Placement Notification Timing
Repeated Responses:
"May" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
"spring"
"End of the year"
"Last two months of the year"
"In May"
"C1 formally finds out in May"
"Usually around March"
"Yes"
How Dancer Was Notified
In-person meeting with school director/staff
Written communication via email or regular mail
Dancer Had Mentor?
No
Yes
Mentoring Details
"None"
"N/A"
"There is a formal mentor/advisor they check in with but he also chats with faculty on a regular basis whenever he needs advice. He feels very well supported."
"Each student is assigned a faculty member who acts as a mentor and has regular check-ins with the students"
Overall School Culture
Cold & Exclusive
1
2
3
4
5
Warm & Inclusive
School Outcomes
Is Student In Upper Levels?
Yes
Highest Levels of School?
Apprentice (only if it is not part of the company)
Post- Graduate/Graduate
There are no bridge levels
There are no bridge levels (If you chose this answer, please skip next question)
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
100%
10ish a year
7 were taken as trainee in 2023
All
Apprentices are paid and are considered part of the company. This year I think 5 females and 2 males were given apprenticeships.
Apprentices with NYCB are officially still part of the school. They are offered a position by artistic director, at various times (not a formal/set time). There are meetings in the fall where some students are offered apprenticeships, some are told they will not be offered apprenticeships, and some are told that its too soon to make a decision.
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
0
No one
none
None
None- only SAB students invited to be apprentices. Note- apprentices ARE PAID.
Where Graduates Who Do Not Get Bridge Level Go
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%
2-3 grads this year went into college. I'm not sure if they arw pursuing ballet there or not.
20%
No one
none
Not known
Unsure- but most go to other companies
How Many Grads Went Directly to Company Job?
1-2
5 or more
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
"n/a"
"I was not but I know that students receive little to no support when time comes."
"School arranges for photos and videos, they invite over a dozen artistic directors to teach upper level class (closed auditions), they host on-site auditions and provide some travel assistance for students that need to travel to audition, and they assist students with communication, resume-writing, etc. Very helpful."
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:
Dorms
Housing Minimum Age
Repeated Responses:
"14" (3 responses)
Unique Responses:
"14 (I think?)"
"13"
"14, but I think sometimes a 13 year old is allowed if turning 14 soon after move in."
# of Roommates:
0 (lived in single)
1
Adequate # of RA's?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Absolutely
Type of Bathrooms:
Private in suite
Curfew?
Yes
Curfew Reasonable?
Yes
Nightly Room Check?
Yes
Dorm Strictness
Extremely Lax
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Strict
How Infractions Handled?
A little harsh
Fair
My student had no infractions this year (as far as I know!)
How Roommate Issues Handled?
"Addressed immediately"
"Unsure. Had a challenging first year with roomate"
"With mediation"
"Mine hasn't experienced this"
"The resident life team sit down with each person and encourage them to discuss conflicts."
"n/a"
Housing Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Students Required to Clean Room?
Yes
Laundry Available?
Yes
Laundry Free?
Yes
Evening Activities?
No
Yes
A/C In Room?
Yes
Weekend Outings?
No
Yes
Transportation Between Housing and Studios?
Public transportation with chaperone
Public transportation without chaperone
The studio is on the 5th floor of same building
the studios are in the same building as the dorms
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
"The dorms, cafeteria, studios, and wellness spaces are all located within the same building. The dormitory is shared with Juilliard, and the building is highly secure. SAB staff take student safety and security very seriously."
"Laundry is a yearly fee that's included in the room/board cost"
"The dorms are all located within the same building and a lot of the resident life staff live in the building. The dorms are very strict but fair."
"Housing is in the same building as the studios"
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
Yes
What Were Needs?
Repeated Responses:
"vegetarian" (2 responses)
Unique Responses:
"Dancers need to eat cleaner than musicians at Juillard"
"None"
Dietary Needs Met?
Limited Options
1
2
3
4
5
Many Options
Academics
How Did Academics Work?
Separate e.g. online, independent study, etc.
Academic Support
Students attended in person classes provided by school
Students were required to attend study hours regularly
There were no formal study requirements. Students were on their own
Did the School Support Academics?
Didn't support
1
2
3
4
5
Definitely supported
Overall Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A+
A
Career Support and Placement
A+
A
B+
Emotional Support
A+
A
B+
C-
Housing & Food
A+
A
A-
Performance Opportunities
A+
A
A-
B+
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
"SAB lives up to its reputation. The training is world-class, but in recent years the school has clearly made student well-being an even greater priority by fostering a positive, respectful environment and putting thoughtful support systems in place for its students. A focus on helping dancers grow not just technically, but as confident, well-rounded young people.
Training in NYC with a direct connection to one of the world's premier ballet companies is an incredible opportunity.
The school makes an effort to include families as partners in supporting their students. They communicate regularly, ask for feedback on what's working and what could be better, and genuinely seem interested in making the experience the best it can be for both students and families."
"Definitely amazing repertoire and teachers who are expert in the Balanchine technique and very good dancers themselves."
"the facilities, faculty and all the practical support"
"Focused on their achievement and career goals"
"Amazing faculty, wholistic and healthy approach to dance, wonderful studios and training in NYC"
"Links to a company and integration with working dancers, clear leadership"
"Great instruction, very good track record of job placement after graduation"
"Excellent dance training with very supportive faculty."
"exceptional men's training, dedicated men's classes all taught by male teachers who were professional dancers at one time"
Program's Worst Aspect
"Teachers and directors are very good dancers but have absolutely not credentials in education and caring for young people. They often repeat what they've been taught sometimes 25 years ago and contribute to the culture of favorites, lack of inclusiveness, rewarding of students who don't speak up and keep quiet, ignoring students who are struggling instead of helping them."
"can be stressful, kids feel they are "always auditioning""
"Exceptional training"
"It is hard to live in such a competitive environment at 15- its tough for all of them. They have to learn to focus on themselves and not compare."
"Living and dancing in the same building with very strict rules can feel stifling"
"The food."
"Most dancers are great, but a few dancers can get overly competitive and intense with each other"
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
"None"
"I would love that directors and teachers take trainings in cultural competence, teenager development, and rethink their idea of what a school is, not just a pathway to the company but also a place where everyone can progress and get encouraged."
"more variety of training?"
"I would like to know about casting and performances further in advance so I could plan to be there."
"Greater freedom for older students"
"Better meal options - the meal plan isn't great."
"More performance opportunities. Hopefully more apprenticeships offered next year. This year, only one student from the advanced men's level was given a NYCB male apprenticeship for 2026-2027 year."
Anything Else We Should Know?
"This is a highly competitive, demanding program for dancers committed to pursuing a professional career. The exceptional talent in every class will continually push you to elevate your technique and artistry.
Such an environment can bring its share of stress, and every single class can feel like an audition if you let it. An important lesson a dancer can learn here is to keep their blinders on—to stop comparing themselves to others and focus entirely on their own journey."
"High pressure, competitive environment
No more than 10 students really thrive
Focus on getting nutrition, don't follow the trend of reducing food intake
Stay yourself and focus on enjoying your dancing no matter if you are not looked at"
"There are so many rumors about SAB, but its a highly professionally run organization. Parents and students should ask for the information they need and communicate clearly with the staff. They are formal but responsive."
"Be grateful for being a part of the history of George Balanchine"
"Every day is like an audition- it’s never “just class”."
"The talent level in the classes is incredibly high and you'll be pushed to be a better dancer because of this. It can be a competitive environment and feel like a constant audition which can be stressful. However, most of the dancers are supportive of each other and mine has found wonderful friendships there. That helps with the stress."
"Highly competitive and intense program - it requires a great deal of commitment and determination. Really designed for dancers who are dedicated to becoming professional."
"Rigorous culture, exceptional male dancers, need to be very driven and committed. A lot of company directors come and watch class and the faculty give a lot of help during dancers capstone year (final year of training at SAB) to get jobs or to go to college (do the audition videos, photographs and help with resume etc)."
Reviews
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Age: 15, FemaleInstruction A+ Placement A Performance A+ Attended 2025-26, Stayed In HousingAge: 16, FemaleInstruction A+ Placement B+ Performance A- Attended 2025-26Age: 18, MaleInstruction A+ Placement A+ Performance B+ Attended 2025-26, Stayed In Housing, Special DietAge: 17, MaleInstruction A+ Placement A+ Performance A Attended 2024-25, Stayed In Housing, Special DietAge: 17, MaleInstruction A+ Placement A Performance A+ Attended 2023-24, Stayed In Housing, Special DietAge: 15, FemaleInstruction A+ Placement A+ Performance A Attended 2023-24, Stayed In HousingAge: 17, MaleInstruction A Placement A Performance A Attended 2022-23Age: 16, FemaleInstruction A+ Placement A+ Performance A+ Attended 2022-23Age: 15, FemaleInstruction A+ Placement A+ Performance A- Attended 2022-23, Stayed In Housing, Special Diet
