My daughter is 4, so I'm reading this with interest- I've been super impressed with Ballet Petite from a teaching/developmental standpoint, over the last year of lessons there. I have a degree in early childhood ed and lots of experience with preschoolers as well, and whomever is planning the formats of their classes is spot-on with what's appropriate for this age group, and she loved both her teachers. They're learning lots of basic ballet and staging -- but definitely for now we wanted a program that is good for her as a whole child, not just as a Potentially Great Dancer to be trained properly, and we've loved Ballet Petite. totally enthusiastic recommendation from our experience.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much does Washington School of Ballet cost for a five year old?

That is probably around $850 per school year as preballet, we are in ballet 1B and pay $2150

So a school year is considered August to December or August to June?

Never mind I got it... August to May...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much does Washington School of Ballet cost for a five year old?

That is probably around $850 per school year as preballet, we are in ballet 1B and pay $2150

So a school year is considered August to December or August to June?

Anonymous wrote:How much does Washington School of Ballet cost for a five year old?

That is probably around $850 per school year as preballet, we are in ballet 1B and pay $2150

Anonymous wrote:Maryland Youth Ballet is a great option if Silver Spring is convenient for you.

Produced major ballet stars -Susan Jaffee and more that made principal at ABT. Can't do better than that!

Leotard (any kind), ballet slippers and hair in a bun is required for the auditions.

I'm also wondering what the attire is for auditions for a 5 year old, in particular are ballet shoes required?

How much does Washington School of Ballet cost for a five year old?

OP: What age group is your child? I have a five-year-old who's been doing Ballet Petite for about two years, and she's now learning actual ballet--positions, steps, combinations--after a few courses of introduction to ballet (the early ballet classes are really lovely for preschoolers, prekindergartners; they have it down to a science about getting kids interested in dance and keeping the class moving at their attention's pace). I don't know that we plan to keep her there much longer if she seems serious about ballet, partly because the rooms aren't very big, and one of the joys of ballet is getting to dance across the full floor after barre work.

But there's an element of choice about schools that can echo of Washington competitiveness and the idea if something isn't Big Name and hard-nosed, it's soft and worthless. As a mom who did ballet when I was a girl and for whom dance was almost ruined by an ultra-competitive, took-itself-too-seriously pre-professional feeder school, I'd rather my daughter be someplace where dance is taught with a sense of joy and purpose together. All that to say, think about age of your child but also think about what environment she--and you--would be looking for.