Navigating Tuition and Programs at Boston Ballet School
Boston Ballet School (BBS), the official school of the renowned Boston Ballet, offers a comprehensive range of programs for aspiring dancers of all ages and skill levels. From introductory classes for young children to intensive pre-professional training, BBS provides a structured and nurturing environment for students to develop their technique, artistry, and passion for ballet. This article delves into the various programs offered by Boston Ballet School, with a particular focus on tuition information, financial aid opportunities, and other essential details for prospective students and their families.
An Overview of Boston Ballet School Programs
Boston Ballet School caters to a diverse student body, offering programs tailored to specific age groups and skill levels:
Children's Program: Designed for students aged 16 months to 7 years, the Children's Program introduces young children to the fundamentals of ballet through creative movement, music, and storytelling. The curriculum is based on early childhood education theories, preparatory classical ballet technique, and dance therapy studies. Live piano accompaniment is introduced starting at age 5, enhancing students' musicality and coordination.
Classical Ballet Program: This program provides comprehensive classical ballet training for students of all ages and skill levels. The curriculum is designed to develop students' technique, strength, flexibility, and artistry in a progressive and structured manner.
Pre-Professional Program: This rigorous program is designed for serious ballet students who aspire to a professional career in dance. The Pre-Professional Program offers intensive training in classical ballet technique, pointe work, variations, partnering, and contemporary dance. Students in this program have the opportunity to train directly under the guidance of Boston Ballet School faculty and Boston Ballet company members. The program is delivered at and in partnership with Walnut Hill School for the Arts for students in grades 9-12.
Summer Programs: Boston Ballet School offers several summer programs, including the Summer Dance Program and the Junior Summer Intensive, providing students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in intensive ballet training during the summer months.
Boston Ballet II (BBII): Boston Ballet has a secondary company, Boston Ballet II (BBII). The Graduate Program under the guidance of Kathleen Mitchell is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and exclusive pre-professional ballet programs in the United States. Dancers in the program don't get paid, nor are they bound by contracts, but they do have the privilege of training with Boston Ballet II.
Junior Summer Intensive (JSI)
The Junior Summer Intensive (JSI) is an enriching dance program for dedicated ballet students seeking a higher level of commitment to their dance education. The program prepares students for more rigorous dance experiences in the future, such as Boston Ballet School’s Summer Dance Program, by introducing them to an intensive training environment. Acceptance to Junior Summer Intensive is by application only.
Eligibility and Requirements
Students must be between the ages of 9 and 12 on August 31, 2026. Junior Summer Intensive is for students who have already been participating in classical ballet training and are familiar with the vocabulary associated with a standard technique class. A key piece of JSI is a pre-pointe/pointe curriculum offered to all students. Whether a student will be focusing on pre-pointe or pointe, though, will be reflective of the student’s ability. Additionally, students will not be training en pointe this summer unless they have already begun pointe-work at their home studio. In the interest of student safety, all decisions around pointe training are at the discretion of program faculty and will be made in a manner consistent with Boston Ballet School’s training approach. As 12-year-olds are eligible for both Junior Summer Intensive and SUMMER DANCE PROGRAM, it is up to the individual family what their preference is. Accepted students may enroll in any session while space remains. Junior Summer Intensive is able to accept international students who are proficient in English. However, international students may only participate in our residential option if they can commit to having a local guardian here for the duration of the program.
Residential Life
Each evening, between dinner and “lights out,” Residential Counselors host optional activities on campus. These are a great way for the JSI community to bond! Last year’s activities included scavenger hunts, game nights, talent shows, s’mores nights, craft nights, and more. On the weekends, all residential students go on off-campus field trips. In addition to support from Residential Counselors, a Registered Nurse-provided by Walnut Hill-is available throughout the program.
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Dining
The Dining Hall at Walnut Hill School for the Arts features a variety of nutritious meal options. Three meals a day are included for residential students, while commuter students are served lunch.
Roommate Requests
Roommate requests will be collected in the spring. For roommate requests to be accommodated, students must mutually request each other. Please make sure to confirm plans with students you want to live with before submitting a roommate request. Those who do not request a specific roommate will be assigned to live with another student close to them in age.
Summer Dance Program
Summer Dance Program is a rigorous program with a strong focus on classical ballet technique. Additionally, though we recognize that many of our younger students will be very new to pointe during auditions in January, all ladies must enter the program in June with pointe experience. Students must be between the ages of 12 and 18 when the program begins on Sunday, June 28. Housing is not available for students who will turn 19 during the program.
International Students
An M1 student visa is required of most international students to attend Summer Dance Program. Boston Ballet School will sponsor this visa for the duration of the summer and will work with families over the course of the spring to make sure all the necessary steps are taken. The M1 visa is not required of Canadian students.
Auditions
Students should choose an audition based on their age at the time of the audition. Auditions are a two-hour experience. Once all students have been organized, the audition will take the form of a 90-minute class, moving from barre to center. Students are not eligible to audition more than once per year. Students who are interested in Boston Ballet School’s Professional Division for the fall of 2026 are advised to separately begin this AUDITION AND APPLICATION PROCESS as soon as possible by submitting a Pre-Audition video to Walnut Hill.
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Training Locations
The training for Summer Dance Program is spread across our two studios in Boston and Newton. Ladies ages 12-15 will train at our Newton Studio, and ladies ages 15-18 will train at our Boston Studio. For 15-year-olds, final studio assignments (based on age) will be made once enrollment has settled in the spring. Boston Ballet School is not able to accommodate any requests for placement into a particular studio. Any exceptions to the above age cutoffs will only be initiated by the Artistic Staff. The differences that students experience will largely be determined by the curriculum offered to their specific levels. Primarily, these differences will manifest in access to partnering class and the amount of focus on repertoire. Students at both our studios will have the same experience in terms of the frequency and the caliber of training. There are five different levels for women, and three different levels for men. By the start of the program, it is unlikely that there will be space remaining in the 2026-2027 Professional Division.
Dress Code
Women are encouraged to wear a black leotard with tights and slippers in the color closest to their natural skin tone or in which they feel most comfortable. In addition, women will need both technique and pointe shoes. For students auditioning via video, the dress code should be modified as needed so that the student can be seen as clearly as possible.
Housing
Students may choose to commute from home or find alternate housing on their own. Roommate requests will be collected in the spring. Students must train at the same Boston Ballet School studio, as this will dictate the residence hall that they will be assigned to. Students must mutually request each other. Those who do not request a specific roommate will be assigned to room with another student close to them in age. Over the course of the program, each Residential Counselor is responsible for hosting 4-5 activities, ranging from small group offerings on the weeknights to large events on weekends. These activities may be hosted on campus or out in Boston. Outside of planned on-campus programs or weekend activities, students will have access to local spots such as Target, Newbury Street, Trader Joe’s, Boston Public Library, Star Market, Insomnia Cookies, Tatte Bakery, and more. Parents will not be able to directly contact any individual Residential Counselor.
Tuition and Fees
Tuition at Boston Ballet School varies depending on the program, level, and number of classes taken per week. Tuition is pro-rated per month. Families have the option to pay in full or pay on a monthly installment place when registering.
Financial Aid and Payment Options
Boston Ballet School is committed to making its programs accessible to talented students regardless of their financial circumstances.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is available for both the Children’s Program and Classical Ballet Program. Financial aid will not cover the full tuition but can be used as a tool to assist financially. In the interest of making Junior Summer Intensive and Summer Dance Program as inclusive as possible, all accepted students with financial concerns are encouraged to apply for aid. For an application to be processed for summer programs, a completed application must be received by the specified deadline. Additionally, the student must have registered for the program and put down the initial deposit and registration fee.
Families applying for aid will be required to submit a $70.00 deposit for their desired class. Itemized debts which includes education debts of parents, lien encumbrances against homes (not including mortgages), past medical/dental expenses, investment debts, past business debts, uninsured natural disasters, funeral expenses, legal expenses can be considered when applying for aid.
Sibling Discount
BBS also offers a 10% sibling discount for all school year and summer programs (excluding Summer Dance Program). If a family has two or more students enrolled, a 10% tuition discount will be applied to the class of lesser value. The sibling discount cannot be redeemed online.
Payment Plans
Our staff is dedicated to creating payment options for each family. Our typical payment plan consists of a 20% deposit and a series of monthly payments split equally between October and May. While we are not able to reduce the tuition price, our Student Services department is well versed in working with families to create custom plans which have included in the past: changing the automatic payment date, increasing the number of payments per month, and stretching the payments over a longer period to lessen the monthly amounts.
Other Important Information
Registration
Registration for the 25-26 School Year will be available shortly.
Class Attendance
Students are strongly encouraged to use the bathroom and wash their hands prior to class. Parents should drop and pick their child up directly outside the classroom for the Boston Studio and in the lobby for the Newton Studio. All studio locations have waiting areas. We recommend that you arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of class to give you ample time to prepare.
Studio Locations and Parking
Boston Ballet School operates several studios in the Boston area:
Clarendon Street Boston Ballet School Headquarters: The main studio location of the Boston Ballet School. The Clarendon Street Studio also acts as the Headquarters for the school and the greater company, including administrative offices and the marketing team. There is no parking lot at Boston Ballet School on Clarendon Street, and there are no reserved parking spots on the street for pick-ups and drop-offs. Atelier 505 Parking Garage - Located under the Calderwood Pavilion. Carpool directories are located at the front desk of each studio.
Newton Studio: The Newton Studio is MBTA accessible from either the Newton Highlands or Eliot stations on the D branch of the Green Line.
Boston Ballet Marblehead Studio: Located on the second floor of the Lynch Van Otterloo YMCA in Marblehead Massachusetts, the third studio was opened in 2009, but Boston Ballet later moved out of this location.
Dress Code
Each level from Hand in Hand 2 up has a specific dress code for the class. Families are expected to purchase the dress code themselves. Dress code items cannot be purchased at Boston Ballet School but can be ordered at a local retail store.
Waiting Lists
If a section you’re interested in is full, you may request to be placed on the waiting list for that class. If a spot becomes available, you will be contacted. If you enroll in another section, the waiting list option will not be available to you.
School Policies
With the goal of creating a safe, welcoming, and positive experience for all students, Boston Ballet School holds students, families, faculty, and staff to a high standard of personal decorum and expects individuals, at all times, to demonstrate respect for others, the facilities, and to promote an environment which is safe, positive, and welcoming of diversity.
Communication
Enrolling will enable you to receive communications such as the School’s newsletter and weekly bulletins every Sunday with important updates about each BBS program. Studio Administrators are at the front desk of each location when classes are running. Should you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to a Studio Administrator and they will be happy to assist.
Absences and Make-Up Classes
We understand that circumstances may arise that prevent students from attending class. In these instances, we kindly ask that the student’s absence be reported so that the faculty and administration may accurately track attendance. BBS strongly believes in make-up classes so students can continue their progress safely and effectively as curriculum becomes more demanding and technically challenging. If your child is injured and will miss a prolonged series of classes, we ask that you provide us with an applicable doctor’s note. Please note that tuition will not be adjusted for those weeks missed unless the student withdraws.
Observation Weeks
Weekly classes are not able to be observed. Instead, a series of Observations Weeks are schedule throughout the year where family and friends are invited into the classroom to observe our students’ progress. We believe the presence of “an audience” or multiple adults creates a distraction and takes attention away from the teacher’s instruction.
Locker Rooms
Locker rooms are available for use when needed at the Boston, Brookline, and Newton studios.
Health and Safety
The health of our students and staff is the upmost priority of Boston Ballet School. Students or staff who are actively sick with any virus will not be permitted to participate in classes and will be encouraged to schedule a make-up class when they feel better.
Student Benefits
As a member of Boston Ballet School, the Official School of Boston Ballet, students receive discounts to select company performances. Students enrolled in Foundations 2 up through Classical Ballet and Professional Division (ages 8 and up) are eligible to audition for Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker as the curriculums and commitments of these programs align with the choreography of the production.
Boston Ballet: A Legacy of Excellence
The Boston Ballet is an American professional classical ballet company based in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1963 by E. Virginia Williams and Sydney Leonard, and was the first professional repertory ballet company in New England. It has been led by Violette Verdy (1980-1984), Bruce Marks (1985-1997), and Anna-Marie Holmes (1997-2000). Mikko Nissinen has been artistic director of Boston Ballet since 2001.
Historical Overview
In 1956, E. Virginia Williams moved the ballet school she founded from a studio in Back Bay to 186 Massachusetts Avenue, across from the Loew's State Theatre in Boston. In 1958, out of her Boston School of Ballet (which was sometimes called The New England School of Ballet), E. Virginia Williams formed a small dance group named The New England Civic Ballet. From 1958 to 1962, the New England Civic Ballet performed regionally, dancing various pieces such as a three-act Nutcracker, Les Sylphides, and repertory works by E. In August 1962, the New England Civic Ballet performed as part of the 30th year of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. In December 1963, The Boston Globe reported that a Ford Foundation grant of US$144,000 to the Boston Ballet School had given birth to Boston's first and only professional ballet company. The total Ford Grant was $7,756,000, the largest private subsidy made to a single art form at the time. In part, based on the recommendations of George Balanchine and W. McNeil Lowry, the grant provided for the formation of several professional ballet companies. This included the Boston Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, and Washington Ballet. Balanchine was a strong supporter of this initiative.
National and International Recognition
In 1979, Boston Ballet opened the Nervi Festival in Italy, and in 1980 was the first American dance company to perform in the People's Republic of China. The company made its London premiere in 1981, with a full-length production of Swan Lake. In 1983, Boston Ballet presented Don Quixote on Broadway with Rudolf Nureyev as a guest artist, after touring the United States, Mexico, France, and Italy. Boston Ballet made its debut at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, in January 1990.
Repertoire and Choreographers
In 2005, the company added James Kudelka's Cinderella, George Balanchine's Coppélia, Jewels, Midsummer Night's Dream, the American premiere of Jirí Kylián's Black and White, John Cranko's Onegin, The Taming of the Shrew, and Romeo and Juliet to its repertoire. Boston Ballet additionally appointed Jorma Elo as its resident choreographer. Elo created at least six works for the company, including Plan to B, Brake the Eyes, and Le Sacre du Printemps. During the summer of 2007, the company completed a second tour of Spain.
Touring and Performances
Boston Ballet's touring included appearances at the Guggenheim Museum's Works & Process series, the "Fall for Dance" festivals held at New York City Center and Orange County Performing Arts Center, and performances at the Spoleto Festival USA and the Kennedy Center's Ballet Across America series in the spring of 2008.
Current Repertoire
Boston Ballet maintains a repertoire that includes classics such as Marius Petipa's The Sleeping Beauty and August Bournonville's La Sylphide, contemporary versions of classics such as Mikko Nissinen's Swan Lake and John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet, and works by contemporary choreographers including William Forsythe, Jirí Kylián, Mark Morris, David Dawson, Val Caniparoli, Christopher Wheeldon, and Helen Pickett. Over 35 performances employ the entire company and more than 250 Boston Ballet School students who join in the production every year.
Boston Ballet II
Boston Ballet has no official apprentice company. However, they have a secondary company, Boston Ballet II (BBII). The Graduate Program under the guidance of Kathleen Mitchell is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and exclusive pre-professional ballet programs in the United States. Dancers in the program don't get paid, nor are they bound by contracts, but they do have the privilege of training with Boston Ballet II.
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