Underclassman High school students are placed in levels 1-3. Upperclassman High school and College girls are placers in levels 4-6. Upperclassman High school and College boys are in either level 7 or 8. Underclassman High school boys are put in levels 1-3 along with the girls.
3 levels for 9-10th grade, 3 levels for 11-12th
3 levels for underclassmen and 3 for upperclassmen and college
3 (there are 6 but 1-3 underclassmen & 4-6 upperclassmen/college)
Dancer Age
14
15
16
17
Gender
Female
Company Affliated?
No
Was Student Scholarshipped?
No
Yes
Please Describe Scholarship
Based on audition; small part of tuition
Years At School
1 year
Curriculum
Days Per Week
5
Classes Per Day
2
3
4
Weekend Classes?
No
Weekend Schedule
I did not have weekend class
Students Per Class
10-15
25-30
Weekly Repertoire or Variations?
No
Yes
Pointe Classes Per Week
3
Live Music in Technique Class?
Yes
Dedicated Men's Program?
Yes
Boys In Level
Less than 5
Separate Technique Class for Boys
No
Yes
Techniques Taught
General Classical
Vaganova
Technique Teacher Rotation
The school rotated teachers on a fixed schedule
Usually the same every day
Did School Director Teach?
Never (school admin was a designated upper level teacher)
Never (school admin was NOT designated as an upper level teacher)
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
The school is under the ABT curriculum but majority of teachers teach in their own personal style. In variations, the teacher will decide what style of variations they want to focus on whether that be one or multiple throughout the semester, i.e. Balanchine, Bournonville, Vagonava, Classical.
1.5 hours of technique every morning; three pointe classes per week; character, contemporary, Pilates and partnering also each week. The boys are included in the regular technique class but have their own separate classes as well.
Ballet 5 days per week, pointe 3 days per week, variations 1 day per week, pilates 1 day per week, Contemporary 3 days per week, Composition 1 day per week, partnering 1 day per week
Note: daughter was underclassmen; schedule is different for underclassmen. Weekdays technique and 3 other classes (at least one on pointe). Rehearsals after normal classes and on Saturdays.
Partnering
Frequency of Partnering Class
1x per week
Partner Ratio
A few girls had to share but most had their own partner.
Everyone had to share a partner.
None, there were enough boys for every girl.
Who Taught?
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
Simple but very technical. Class usually consisted of just doing combinations together, not a variations class.
Upper level boys would be brought in to assist with partnering.
The instruction for the partnering class was good. Probably the best instruction she received. It was taught by the male instructors for the school, so the class vibe was very positive backed up with solid instruction.
1 hour/wk underclassmen; 1.5 hr/wk upperclassmen
Additional Comments
Partnering starts at ballet level 3
no
nothing additional
Prepared student very well for difficult partnering at summer intensives
Other Classes
Other Dance Styles
Character
Modern
None of the above
Pilates
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
Strength & Conditioning
Physical Training Offered?
Yes
Physical Training Types
Body rolling
Pilates (mat or reformer)
Progressing Ballet Technique
Physical Training Schedule
Once or twice a week
Were Trainers Certified?
Yes
Physical Training Quality
Poor
1
2
3
4
5
Excellent
Strength & Conditioning Comments
In the preparatory program, UNCSA offers PBT which we loved. In the high school, they have a Pilates class once per week but no other strength training (at least for females. Males may have strength training)
It was once a week. Class jumped around with no flowing through movements. No instructions or corrections were made to the positions.
Adding PBT this coming year
Injuries/Health/ Mental Health
Are Doctors Available?
Yes
How Parents Notified?
My student did not get injured
School called parent
Student told parent. School not involved
How Treatment Obtained?
School offers PT, doctors can come to school through Wake Forest Universty, students are responsible for their own X-rays.
school has physical therapists and assistants, we did have to go to a local hospital for xrays and further treatment
Yes, but 99% of the time, the student went to an outside medical facility. The services offered aren't the best. It's okay for a headache, but nothing dance-related.
School has on site wellness center with PTs, ATs on site. Access to physical medicine and rehab MD who comes to campus weekly and regularly talks with PTs and ATs
PT Available?
Yes, it is part of fees
Was There a Recovery Plan?
My dancer did not get injured
Yes
Describe Recovery Plan
Scheduled PT appts and students are given extra exercises to do outside of class
My dancer tore a ligament in her foot, which was initially misdiagnosed. Once the injury was correctly assessed, she was prohibited from dancing for 2 months and received twice weekly PT
PTs communicate clearly with student, parents and faculty about recovery plan and dancer limitations are in daily injury report sent to all faculty. This is done very well!
Mental Health Therapists Available?
Yes
Were Students Given Fat Talk?
No
Yes
Staff Made Comments About Bodies?
No
Yes
Were Students Weighed?
Yes
Was "Coded Language" Used?
No
Yes
Additional Comments
All health services are shared between all departments of art and high school and college
The school provides a mental health counselor and is striving to employ more.
nothing to add, they have facilities but they are in need of improvement
They require physicals and weights each semester to make sure dancers are maintaining healthy weights.
Performances: Winter Show/ Nutcracker
Performance Opportunities
1
2-3
4-5
School Winter Show?
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
Audition
Chosen by school director or the company artistic staff
Winter Show Role
Dancing part
I had both types of parts
Were You Paid?
No
Performance: Ballet Season
Cast in Company Productions?
No
Yes
Kind of Part Given?
Dancing part
How Chosen
All students allowed to audition
Students are chosen to audition by Artistic Staff
Was Casting Fair?
Yes
Did Rehearsals Impact School Schedule?
5
Perfomance Opportunities
All students are in Nutcracker, Students are picked by level to audition for Winter Dance and/or Spring Dance, if not casted, they are in Winter/Spring rep.
School has huge Nutcracker (5 shows in 3,000 seat venue) that all ballet students are cast in and smaller winter dance and spring dance productions (by audition; mixed ballet and contemporary dance students). Those not cast in winter and spring dance still do a rep performance on stage in costume in front of an audience.
Were You Paid?
No
Competition
School Does Competitions?
Yes
Competitions Required?
No
How Many Compete?
Depends on the year and what teachers want to coach but usually from 4-9 students.
5-10
very few - all hand-picked mostly lower levels
Anyone can. Some go as independent and others go under the school.
% of Students Who Performed
1%
20-25% choose to do it
5%
a little less than 10%
How Chosen?
Student asks teacher. All faculty has a meeting where they discuss each student interested. When the student is selected and a teacher volunteers to coach them, the decision must be unanimous across all ballet faculty to take them through the school.
Some students are asked to participate, otherwise teachers vote on each request to compete. Students can compete independently and sometimes teachers will work with them if they have time.
hand-picked, a lot of favoritism
All can participate. Faculty choose which students represent school. Others go as independent.
Competitions Cost Extra?
Yes
Yes, students pay entry fees. Costumes are provided by the school if they choose you to represent them.
I don't know
Yes. Student pays entry fees but does not pay for coaching or costumes if representing school.
Separate Competition Rehearsals?
Yes
Competition Interfered With Training?
Depends on the person and quality of their coaching
it did not affect my dancer as she did not compete
It was a distraction because it was a huge letdown to my dancer, who had competed for years. She could have competed on her own, but they declined to help with instruction. No one from her level competed that year. Mostly younger dancers.
Add. Extra time to rehearse specific pieces.
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 parents and students
Exams
Formal Exam?
No
Yes
Written Feedback?
Yes
Exam Adjudicator
Internal
Exam Rubrics Clear?
Agree
Strongly agree
Who Attends Exam Meeting?
No
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
Welcoming but competitive
still love traditional ballet bodies
Toxic and favoritism
Well balanced
Placement Notification Timing
After auditions in the first week of classes.
after auditions at the beginning of the year, but the teachers basically know where people will be.
Placement takes place during the first two weeks of school
Placement classes at beginning of each year
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?
There are no bridge levels
How Many Promoted Internally to Bridge Level
N/a
no bridge levels
College program
How Many Come From Outside to Bridge Level?
N/a
no bridge levels
N/a
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
How Many Left and Went to College?
Majority
8
Not sure. Not all dancers try to go to bridge programs but those who do typically find placements they are happy with
Career Support
I was not looking for new placement; was staying in program
Received no help - I was on my own
Describe How School Helped
N/A
No help was given to my student. Most students were on their own to figure it out, unless they were part of the chosen two.
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?
Yes
Type of Housing Provided:
Apartment of some type
Dorms
Housing Minimum Age
13/9th grade
9th grade
High school
# of Roommates:
1
Adequate # of RA's?
Not at all
1
2
3
4
5
Absolutely
Type of Bathrooms:
One big bathroom on the floor
two bathrooms per 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!)
How Roommate Issues Handled?
Go directly to Director of Student Life and voice complaints. Accommodations are made from there
RAs and Director of Residence Life would get involved when necessary
she had no conflicts
Fine
Housing Cleanliness
Dirty
1
2
3
4
5
Spotless
Students Required to Clean Room?
Yes
Laundry Available?
Yes
Laundry Free?
No
Evening Activities?
No
Yes
A/C In Room?
Yes
Weekend Outings?
No
Yes
Transportation Between Housing and Studios?
studios on campus next to dorms and academic building
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
Tap time - had to "tap in" between certain hours, even if you were already in bed. If you wanted to leave campus, it was a challenging program to get permission to leave. So many challenges for housing from an established school
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?
NOTE: new food service provider this year
Dietary Needs Met?
4
Academics
How Did Academics Work?
Integrated
Academic Support
Students attended in person classes provided by school
Did the School Support Academics?
Didn't support
1
2
3
4
5
Definitely supported
Overall Program Grades
Overall Dance Instruction
A
A+
D
Career Support and Placement
A-
B
B-
D
Emotional Support
A
B
C
D
Housing & Food
A-
B
C
C-
Performance Opportunities
A+
B
B-
D
Overall Comments
Program's Best Aspect
Being able to attend high school in person while studying at a conservatory.
Excellent instruction, very small academic classes. Still a regular high school in regards to clubs, student government, homecoming, etc.
The best aspect of the program was the academics. Those teachers cared and truly inspired the kids to do their best.
Faculty; performance opportunities; conservatory feeling with in person academics and dorm housing; other non-ballet arts students
Program's Worst Aspect
There is not a company linked to the school
Teachers had favorites and other students aren't always given a chance.
Her primary dance instruction - she was treated like a number, and her name wasn't known at the end of the school year. What was promised during interviews and auditioning classes was definitely not delivered.
Strict rules in dorms
What Changes Would Be Helpful?
More strength training classes
If students need to work on areas of strengthening or conditioning, specific exercises given instead of telling students to figure it out on their own.
The female ballet instructors in B-5. Everyone has to deal with favoritism, but here, they have taken it to a whole new level. No one in this class received their second-semester evaluations. Sad and pathetic.
Food provider (happening this year)
Anything Else We Should Know?
Although this school is not affiliated with a specific company, it is a great option for kids who want a traditional school setting while still dancing many hours per week.
If you are in-state, it might be worth it. However, out-of-state there are much better options for around the same cost. UNCSA, on the whole, is a good school. However, the dance department needs an overhaul.
It’s a gem, the faculty are world class and it’s great for the students to have an in person high school experience
