If most dance schools seem to have qualified, friendly teachers, experience teaching children and a celebratory showcase at the end of the year, aren’t they all pretty much the same? How does a family make a decision on which dance school is the best fit? 

Well, there are 5 main considerations that can make a huge difference in the quality of instruction your child receives, the amount of extras a parent is confronted with and the overall enjoyment and satisfaction of being involved with a dance program.

Are Classes Age-Appropriate, with safety and healthy practices as the top priority?

Dance training must be age-appropriate for the young student – physically, socially and emotionally. In order to train effectively and safely, young dancers should be learning skills that their developing bodies are ready. Progression in levels is a very important factor. A studio should be able to provide a program which offers the student a chance to progress from a beginning dancer with the right foundations, level by level to more advanced concepts.

We describe our Dance Academy as “family-friendly”. We teach classes which are age appropriate and we provide a wholesome environment for positive learning. Technically our school provides skill achievement goals by levels so that we can make sure that students are ready to advance to the next level of training. Our goal is to develop a strong foundation whereby the dancer can move to appropriate levels as they advance within our program. Teachers work together to determine the correct placement of every individual student at our studio. The dancer becomes a part of our dance family, as they learn and grow. We take consider their advancement carefully.

Class Size?

We have a small dancer / teacher ratio. The dance class should be a reasonable size so the instructor can teach effectively and maintain class control. This allows a teacher to provide individual attention and be aware of the student’s individual needs. If the dance class has fewer students in it each child will receive more personalized attention, learn more and have more fun. With younger students smaller classes make it easier for a teacher to maintain control, while ensuring each student understands the concepts and instructions. Our smaller class sizes make sure that dancers’ fundamental concepts are not being overlooked. A smaller class size also allows our teachers to ensure that students are engaged at all times, and are not developing bad habits or improper technique. Our School limits our Level 3 classes to a maximum of just 8 students per class. For our Pre-Dance, Level 1 and Level 2 classes, we limit the size of the classes to a maximum of just 10 students per class.

What Type of Dance Floor Is Used?

Dance is a very physical activity that requires a lot of jumping. This can put stress on bones and joints. Most dance footwear does not provide any cushioning or support, so the shock of dance movement can place a lot of pressure on the dancer’s knees and spine. The best way to prevent against potential injury is by choosing a studio with a professional “floating floor”. A floating floor is a dance floor that rests on a system of high-density foam, to absorb the shock of jumping. A high-density foam base is superior to a “sprung” floor, which usually consists of a wood structure built on the regular floor. The top layer of the dance floor is also an important factor. A vinyl composite ‘Marley’ floor is accepted worldwide as the best surface layer for recreational to professional dance. A Marley floor allows dancers to slide, with a degree of “controlled slip”, but is not slippery so there is less risk of slips and falls. Not every dance school uses professional floating Marley floors because of the expense involved. Our Dance Academy floating floor sports high density foam blocks under the floor surface and a Marley top surface. Our special floors help reduce the risk of injuries and allow students to dance longer without getting tired.

What Are The Extras Required For The Year End Show?

We are here to help children dance well, express themselves creatively, and have fun during class. We are a quality non-competition-based dance program, which means no expensive costumes, DVD costs, mandatory ticket sales per family, time-consuming competitions, or fund-raising activities. Many schools charge a costume deposit and then an expensive balance later in the year. Our costumes are at a set price that parents are made aware of at time of registration. No extra fees later. We also provide individual and class showcase dance photos to all families at no charge.We put our energies into excellent curriculum choices, skill achievements, solid & safe foundations, and a caring and professional teaching staff. We do feature family performances throughout the year to celebrate our dancers’ progress and to share their joy of dancing with loved ones.

Can I Get Immediate Assistance And Customer Service?

In many dance schools the teacher or the owner conducts classes and does the administration. By trying to do two jobs at once, the class may suffer as the teacher has to use class time for customer service issues, or the school may have no administrative staff available. To have a good experience it is important to choose a school that can assist you with details like costumes or schedules, even if a teacher is occupied in a class. Our school has arts administrators on hand during all regular class times, so you can get immediate assistance.