How to chose a dance school

[Stilllivinginazoo]

My youngest is 11 and for the last year has attended an open ballet class at a local high school run by a performing arts group.its very relaxed and informal and she adores it but is keen to embrace the technique and terminology of ballet.
I have sent emails to three schools I found via internet search that are within a distance we can reach(I don't drive)
Two are based in church halls,the third is an actual studio
One replied same day as I emailed them offering to give her a taster session so they could assess where she would need to start.they said the class would be "of a similar age" and offered either a Thursday evening or Saturday morning option
The second was other one ran from a church hall(the closest) reply just said 630 on X date.half hour class.no response to age of other girls or costs should she like it etc
Third(the studio) hasn't responded
I have since discovered a fourth within distance,also a studio which I debating whether to email and see if will offer a trail/taster session

I just wanted to ask what should I be looking for in a dance school/ballet teacher?
Total novice as group DD currently attends is literally rock up in leggings and t shirt,hair up and music is modern songs

I should add prior to this she has had no dance lessons in any genres

Hi zoo . Placemarking to comment later.

Hi zoo, I am no expert but both my DDs dance at the local dance school. We are very lucky that our town has a very well regarded dance school where the emphasis is on fun at first but also students go on to have professional dance careers. They train out of a church hall type place so I think the fancy studio doesn’t necessarily mean a better school. However it might mean nicer floors and mirrors making technique easier to correct.

A few ideas...

Could you ask the open ballet class if they recommend anywhere?

Can you try out a few places and see which one fits her best? No decent school should mind students trying a class out. In any sport I have ever been involved in, prospective students have been welcome to try a class. Anywhere wanting you to pay for a course of lessons without trying them is a massive red flag to me.

If they all seem roughly the same then maybe pick the more convenient one.

If you are taking siblings then what is the waiting / local area like?

Are you on Facebook? If so go onto your local pages and ask for recommendations. Word of mouth is the best way I think to find somewhere.

Re. the teacher. I initially found DDs’ teacher a it strict. We had moved from a super relaxed dance school. But she is really not and she really really cares for the students. I think that is the most important thing, do they seem caring? And do the senior students look happy. Again a red flag if they all look miserable.

You may not be getting many replies to enquiries if the dance schools are off for the summer.

If there is a local dancewear shop near you go in and have a chat.

Tldr: try a few out, ask for local recommendations, look at senior students to see if they look happy.

Hopefully others will be along with tips too.

Ah yes,didn't think to go to local dance wear shop.i know where that is
The church hall that replied were quite comprehensive in reply.saying that she could have taster and would give them chance assess which class needs to be in etc,clear about what she could wear to try out,costs classes and uniform etc.
I think shall try that one and maybe see if the studio one gets back to me or j can find another recommendation as the other church hall one was quite short and not very helpful I'm not convinced they will be a good fit for us as I like things laid out clearly expectation wise,despite being the closest to us

That one definitely sounds worth trying then .

If it is ballet she's keen on, try and avoid a school that teaches every dance style under the sun, you need one that concentrates on ballet and that has plenty of classes that go up to higher grades for older students. Also, although schools that do a lot of competitions and festivals can be good, it might be best to find one that is going to concentrate on developing correct technique. Most ballet teachers teach to a syllabus from one of the main examining bodies - RAD and ISTD are the two biggest.

The one that has replied might be a good start, as they have offered to assess her first, and then decide which class would be the best fit.

Hi zoo, it's good that they are giving her an assessment. Some schools like pupils to take exams, others don't do exams at all or may be happy to have pupils who don't take them. My DD's school do exams but are fine with letting pupils progress to the next grade without taking the exam if they are doing OK.

It can be expensive with the uniform, especially if they do exams because you can have the exam fees and extra classes on top.

Try the class and see how it goes - good luck!

well firstly I would say don't rule out the one that hasn't replied yet. They may well be having their only week or two of holiday for the summer (and some dance schools work through Easter and Christmas too with commitments so it might be their only break of the year).

I personally think you just have to go with how your daughter and you feel when you go and look round. The actual premises isn't really a problem, as long as they are kitted out.

Check if they do exams and as has been said whether these are encouraged/compulsory etc.

find out if they do shows and how often, are they costly to parents (some make you pay for the rehearsal sessions, some do rehearsals in class time but then that impacts on syllabus work. lots of costumes required?)

she might find it a bit overwhelming at first if she hasn't done formal ballet classes before as by 11 some of the children will have been doing ballet for 6 or 7 years. Tell her not to worry about that but you will need to find out if she can perhaps double up on a lower class or have some private lessons to catch up and if so what are the costs with that.

Just go along and see. remember what suits one child and family doesn't suit another.

Does your DD have any friends that already attend classes locally? That can help with settling in. I would second what a pp said about looking at affiliation to a well-known board such as RAD or ISTD. This ensures that the teacher is trained, and not just setting up a dance school without qualifications. Think about ease of getting to the studio. If your DD is anything like mine, you could wind up spending a lot of time there! Look for a family feel, and check that higher grades (5+ or vocational grades like Intermediate and Advanced 1 and 2) are catered for, otherwise you will be back to looking for a studio in a couple of years time!

Ask whoever takes her current class. Teachers often teach in more than one setting and could give an indication of her level. Don't fall for the glossiest one. If she has serious ambitions the teaching is more important than the venue. Also consider how often exams and shows are. These are both expensive and time consuming.

I would look at a school's success in getting students into associate schemes/vocational schools.

Agree with the above advice that the shiniest studio doesn't always mean the best teaching. Some of the best training local to here is in a village hall!