Overview of ASB
The Acton School of Ballet is owned by Chip (Director) and Melissa Morris (Administrator). All schools have different mission statements and methods of operation, and we hope that by sharing this simple outline of our year, we can answer many of your questions. We are always available to discuss your concerns, and look forward to a wonderful year filled with many happy returning faces and as well as many new ones!
Structure
ASB is comprised of an upper and lower school. The Lower School includes Creative Dance (3 year olds), First Steps (4 year olds), a two-year syllabus of Pre-Ballet (5-6 year olds in kindergarten & 1st grade), and Levels 1 (2nd grade) and 2 (3rd grade). Students in these levels take class once a week, unless they wish to enroll in more than one section of their level.
The Upper School comprises Levels 3-10, Modern 1/2 and 3, Beginning Ballet for Teens and Adults, Intermediate and Advanced Ballet, and various supplementary classes. As students move through these levels, the number of classes they take increases. For instance, Levels 3 and 4 take 2 classes per week, Levels 9 and 10 take 5 or more. Descriptions of individual syllabus levels are available here.
We divide the year into three terms: a Fall session (16 weeks), a Spring session (16 weeks for the lower school and 19 weeks for the upper school), and a three-week Summer Intensive.
Students stay in some levels for one year, and in others for two or more. We may offer several sections of each syllabus levels, to keep the size of classes small. For instance, in Fall 2009 we will offer 7 sections of Pre-Ballet and 4 sections of Level 2. We also offer our Upper School students a number of supplementary classes, including Classical Variations, Ballet Conditioning and Modern Dance.
Attire
Each syllabus level is identified by a color, and students in that level wear a color-coordinated leotard (except boys, who wear a white top and black tights or leggings in all levels). You can find detailed attire requirements here.
Tuition
Tuition is based on the number of class meetings a student takes in a term, and must be paid in full at the commencement of each term.
Placement
Placement in a level is decided in the Spring of each year by the faculty for returning students, and by a placement class or review by the Director for new students. Creative Dance, First Steps, Pre-Ballet, and Level 1 students are placed according to age and grade (see syllabus programs).
Enrollment in the upper levels is determined by age and grade in school, previous training, and technical aptitude. Some students advance faster than others, based on their ability and physiology. The aim of the Acton School of Ballet is to honor and challenge the abilities of all our students by providing multiple levels of training and attention to each student.
Pointe Readiness
Female students usually begin pointe in Level 5 at about age 11. Each student must pass ASB’s Pointe Readiness Evaluation before they are allowed to begin pointe work. Students who have studied pointe elsewhere must take a pointe class to determine their placement. ASB teachers administer the Pointe Readiness Evaluation periodically, and it can be repeated for a student as often as needed. Students younger than 11 should also have a doctor’s evaluation that they are developmentally ready for pointe.
Faculty
We are extremely proud of our faculty, who bring excellent professional experience and educational backgrounds, passion for teaching, and diverse, creative perspectives. New ideas are always percolating at faculty meetings, and we embrace their energy and enthusiasm, and their unabashed adoration of their students! Please take some time to read their biographies here.
Private Lessons
Students wishing to take private lessons to supplement their classes may do so by contacting the school or talking directly with their teacher. Several of the faculty offer private and semi-private lessons during the week; this is an option for students in all levels. Each teacher determines his/her own fees for private lessons, which are payable directly to the teacher (not to ASB).
Conferences
Parents may request a conference with their student’s teacher at any time. Formal con- ference times are set up in the Spring to discuss all students’ progress. The school also hosts an Open House during the last two weeks of the Fall term, and parents are invited into the studios for observation classes. Of course, parents may always watch classes as all three studios have viewing windows.
Notices of Open House and conference times, as well as lots of other pertinent school information, is posted in the school lobbies and on this web site. Parents of older students heading off to summer dance programs should know that we post audition schedules downstairs in late Fall and keep a notebook of evaluations by our students of their past experiences in these many programs.
Absences and Tardiness
We ask that you think of our school as you think of your family. If your child is going to be absent for any reason, please call to let us know, so that the Administrator and teacher do not worry. If your child is going to be late, please call the school. Repeated lateness is not tolerated, as it is disruptive to the class and dangerous to the dancer, who does not have time to properly warm up. Teachers have the right not to admit a student who is late for class. Repeated tardiness may be grounds for dismissal.
We know that families juggle many activities and we support our student’s other passions. However, we ask that if your student does make a commitment to dance at ASB, that he or she plan to attend classes faithfully, absent only for sickness or legitimate reasons. Student attendance is evaluated at the end of each term, and future enrollment at ASB is dependent on this record.
Make-Up Classes
Students wishing to make up a class because of an absence may always take a class in another section of their level or of a lower level. They may not take a make up class in a level above theirs. You can find a list of make-up classes here.
Our Expectations
We have high expectations of ourselves, our faculty, and our students. We believe a strong work ethic enhances the physical achievements of every good dancer and teacher, and a compassionate perspective is behind all emotional growth. We foster an educational community that challenges and nourishes its students and faculty, and expect our students to support and encourage one another, regardless of their aptitude.
Spring Performance
In the Spring of each year, ASB performs a full-length ballet. All students perform, with the exception of Creative Dance, and First Steps students. Pre-Ballet, Levels 1 and 2 perform one day of the two performances. The other upper levels perform both days. In addition to regular classes, students must attend a dress rehearsal at the performance site, and sometimes another weekend rehearsal at the studio.
Parents purchase costumes for these performances. Students are measured in December and costume deposits are required at that time. In May, when costumes arrive at the studio, families first pay the balance and then the student may take the costume home in preparation for the performances. We make every effort to keep the costs of this one time purchase low, but families should expect to spend between $70 -$100 total for a ballet costume. A parent who signs up to volunteer at one of the performances will receive one complimentary ticket. Videos of the performance are available for sale.
Commonwealth Ballet Company
The Acton School of Ballet is the home school of the Commonwealth Ballet Company (CBC), a youth ballet company. CBC is a non-profit corporation administrated by a Board of Directors, legally and financially separate from the Acton School of Ballet. Company membership is determined by an audition held yearly in September. Auditions for the company and its productions are open to the general public, not just ASB students.
CBC is well known for its annual Nutcracker productions, local school lecture-demonstrations, and other high-calibre performances. In Spring 2010 CBC will perform The Nightingale at Regis College. Traditionally, many students from ASB audition for the non-company Nutcracker roles, of which there are dozens. This fall the Nutcracker audition will take place on Sunday, September 20 in the ASB studios. Please check the CBC website, http://commonwealthballet.org, for details.
Snow Closings
Classes are cancelled only in extreme weather, but we may also have class when some public schools close. Our faculty and students come from two states and over 20 communities, so we try to make decisions based on numerous safety factors. We email all families and leave a message on the school phone by noon of the day in question. Please make sure you write your email address clearly on the registration form.
Location and Office Hours
ASB is located on 3 Spruce Street in West, Acton, in a large historic apple barn converted to three large studios, our offices, lobbies, dressing rooms, costume and prop rooms, and facilities. Parking is available in the large adjacent parking lot and also on the street. Office hours during the school year are 3-7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and by appointment.
The school phone is 978-263-6572. Our mailing address is Acton School of Ballet, P.O. Box 796, Acton, MA 01720. Please do not mail letters to 3 Spruce Street, as the post office will not deliver to that address.