The directors and faculty of Hyde Park School of Dance care about each student’s progress. Whether young dancers are dancing recreationally or are interested in a career in dance, it is very important that they attend classes at their particular level. This ensures confident and careful training without the risk of frustration and injury.

Age range provides a general guideline for initial placement. Parents may ask the instructor to evaluate their student on the first day of class if there are questions about ability or readiness. Students are expected to spend a minimum of one year (32-40 weeks) at a particular level before moving up.

Parents may enroll along with their toddlers (ages 18–36 months) in First Steps. (The School does not enroll any student younger than three years old in any-drop-off class.) Creative Movement students must have already passed their third birthday before their first class. Students are not required to begin in Creative Movement or Pre-Ballet in order to enroll at HPSD. We accept new students at all levels. However, if they are starting classes at 10 years or older, or transferring from another dance school, they should be evaluated by an instructor to determine their class placement. Please contact the office to arrange a trial class.

Hyde Park School of Dance has a progressive curriculum and students must complete all syllabus material before moving on to the next level. At the upper levels (Ballet 3 and up; Modern 2 and up), it is common for students to remain at the same level for two or more years in order to master the curriculum. Occasionally, the School may recommend that a Hyde Park School of Dance student enroll in a combination of two different class levels. Student evaluations are conducted at the end of the spring session. Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet students receive completion certificates during the last week of class. All other students receive a written evaluation via email during the summer with the recommendation for level placement in the fall. Promotion to a higher level is not automatic. It is determined by the instructor in consultation with the Artistic Director.

Level Placement Classes (Ballet, Levels I-6; Modern, Levels 1-4)

During these classes the artistic staff evaluate each student and explain the syllabus. Parents are strongly recommended to attend these classes. Level Placement Classes are held at the end of the Winter/ Spring semester. Please check the School Calendar for details.