Students who wish to attend the Pre-Professional Program must audition for acceptance. Auditions take place at The Ailey School several times a year and are posted online on the Pre-Professional Admissions page. Once students are accepted they will be placed in the appropriate level in the structured curriculum. 

No, students under the age of 16 cannot participate in professional level classes, regardless of their years of training or proficiency.

Yes! Because the Junior Division Program is curriculum-based, students must participate in every class assinged to his/her level in order to meet the requirements to advance to the next level.

Yes. Junior Division Students must attend all of the classes scheduled for their level.

Tuition fees are based on the level and program in which the student is placed.

Some school year discounts are available if certain eligibility requirements are met during enrollment. For example, a 10% discount applies when tuition is paid in full in ONE installment by the deadline. Review enrollment materials for more details.

Once in Level 3 or higher, students in need can request some tuition assistance twice per school year (if the student was enrolled the previous academic year). Application instructions are provided during re-enrollment with the assigned schedule. First year students are not eligible. Tuition Assistance is different from the merit-based Scholarship Program. They cannot be combined. Tuition Assistance can only be combined with tuition discounts.

Yes, intermediate and advanced students between the ages of 15-17 may audition for merit-based scholarships. Scholarship audition dates and times will be posted on the Pre-Professional Program page and on the Audition Calendar.

Class schedules are based on student placement and class levels.

Students are not allowed to sample a class. Anyone participating in Junior Division classes must be enrolled in the Junior Division program.

No, students must participate in the full curriculum of classes assigned to their level. There are no open classes available in the Junior Division.

Hip Hop is not a part of our curriculum. Students interested in Hip Hop classes should contact the Ailey Extension for information on their Teen Extension Hip Hop classes.

The Level placement of Junior Division students is determine by their proficiency in ballet.

Enrollment for the First Steps/Bounding Boys program takes place annually in late July. Enrollment takes place online and is on a first-come/first-served basis and tends to fill quickly.  
If you are interested in being placed on a waiting list at any time of the year other than the July enrollment period, please email juniordivision@alvinailey.org providing the following information and a packet will be mailed to you:

• Parent's name
• Student's/child's name
• Student's/child's date of birth
• Mailing address
• Phone number
• Email address

If your child is going to miss class, please email jdattendance@alvinailey.org and include the student's name and level in the subject line. (Example: Jane Smith, 2A-3)

Parents should contact the following assigned Parent Liaisons:

• First Step/Bounding Boys: Baredu Ahmed
• Level I-III; AABD: Baredu Ahmed
• Level IV: Dena Hardee
• Level V, VI/VII: Dena Hardee

Evaluations tend to differ from class to class due to the energy level or the focus of the class. For example, a student’s energy level from Ballet to West African is different. It also depends on the energy of the class.

If your child received a mark in that area the instructor most likely commented on how they could progress at the bottom of the evaluation. Encourage your child and let them know they can improve in those areas; encourage them to stretch at home. Many instructors provided students with exercises throughout the school year. Have them speak with the teacher to receive further explanation or exercises in which they can improve. If you still need further clarification, please contact your parent liaison.

Students are permitted 3 absences per term. If a student will be out, it is best that the parent notifies the Junior Division office at jdattendance@alvinailey.org. Students are permitted a 5 minute grace period for lateness. After that, students will be asked to observe.

In lieu of traditional academic Report Cards, The Ailey School issues written evaluations that are an overview of your child’s growth and development.