The Ailey School

No. Students who are not able to commit for a 6-week period have the option of enrolling for the first 3-weeks of the summer. All students must begin their enrollment on June 27 and commit to the entire duration of the enrollment option they have selected.

Yes. For the safety of everyone in the building, all dancers, students, faculty, musicians and staff are always required to wear a mask. All staff in The Joan Weill Center for Dance are always also required to wear a mask regardless of single office occupancy.  Staff required to circulate in public areas are required to wear KN95 masks and these are provided by Ailey.

Ailey recommends that everyone returning to the building consult NY Forward and CDC to learn about masks in order to make personal decisions. However, Ailey does NOT recommend Gaitors, fleece, or bandanas.  Ailey does recommend at least two layers of cloth in masks.  Masks should be washed at home frequently.

Yes. The Ailey School uses the HealthCheck by Stratum, used to screen for potential COVID-19 related symptoms prior to students entering the building. Every day, students must complete the HealthCheck screening in the app before departing from home, 2 hours prior to the start of class. Only those students who receive a green notification at the end of the screening will be admitted to enter the building.

Healthcheck user instructions>
Healthcheck password reset>
Healthcheck FAQ's>

Please refer to Ailey Forward for the latest safety information.

We are complying with COVID-19 safety precautions and are keeping class sizes to no more than 20 students per cohort. Classes of this size will also allow faculty to have better interaction and make more focused evaluations of students work.

Please refer to Ailey Forward for the latest safety information.

Yes, a limited number of spaces will be available at the Ludlow Residence, a short subway commute from The Ailey School. Space is prioritized for out-of-state students and those who do not permanently reside within a reasonable commuting distance to The Ailey School. Housing applications will be sent to all accepted students.

Yes. Merit-based scholarships for the 6-week session* may be awarded to students who exhibit the highest potential at their audition.  We regret that need-based financial aid is not available for the Summer Intensive.

*Scholarships are not available for the 3-week session.

Yes, International Students who live outside of the U.S. may submit a video audition. Students should contact the International Student Advisor for guidance on the correct visa to obtain for short-term, avocational study in the U.S.

Professional Division Students are permitted to wear colorful form fitting dance attire of their choice while adhering to the guidelines listed in the Summer Intensive Student Handbook. 

All students who have attended an audition have been placed in the appropriate levels by the audition panel.   

Students should keep in mind that levels at The Ailey School do not correspond to the levels at other schools. Therefore, the level you attend at your current school has no bearing on the level you will be placed in at The Ailey School.

Yes, all students, staff, faculty, administration, and visitors to the Joan Weill Center for Dance must be fully vaccinated* and boosted** for Covid-19 with an approved vaccine, as described in the Vaccination Policy.
*Fully vaccinated means that two weeks have passed since you received two doses of a two-dose vaccine, or a single dose of a one-dose vaccine considered effective by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and/or the World Health Organization (“WHO”).

**Upon the advice from Ailey’s medical team and the AGMA Playbook updated December 21, 2021, Emergency Guidance on Omicron Surge, Ailey has instituted a COVID booster shot mandate for those who are eligible (more than 5 months from your Moderna or Pfizer or 2 months from JJ) to receive it. Under this mandate, those who do not have an Ailey-approved exemption from vaccination must get a booster shot when eligible and supply Ailey with proof of that booster shot. All booster-eligible individuals must complete their vaccines.

For answers to questions such as, "When am I fully vaccinated?" and "If I am fully vaccinated, do I have to quarantine if I am exposed to an individual who tests positive for Covid-19?", visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Students requesting an exemption should send an email the following people for further instructions, depending on your Division:

• Junior Division Students contact Dawn Tricarico, Associate Director of the Junior Division, at dtricarico@alvinailey.org.
• Professional Division Students contact JoAnne Ruggeri, Director of Admissions, at jruggeri@alvinailey.org.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include, but are not limited to the following:    

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose 
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea 

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, we advise you complete a PCR test to eliminate the concern that you may be positive. Please remain home while waiting for your results and send them to Ailey Forward for review. After review, the Safety Task Force will provide you with instructions on how to move forward.

Students, staff, faculty, and musicians who are fully vaccinated and boosted* for COVID-19 do not need to submit a test prior to entering the building.

Those individuals who have been approved for a vaccine and/or booster exemption or accommodation must submit a negative COVID-19 nasal swab PCR Test no more than three (3) days prior to their first entry to the building, and on a weekly basis thereafter, (as detailed in their exemption approval letter). Test results must be submitted to aileyforward@alvinailey.org in order to receive clearance to enter the building

In addition, all students must utilize the HealthCheck app on a daily basis.

*Fully vaccinated and boosted is defined as having received 2 doses of a 2-dose vaccine plus one booster shot; or 1 dose of a single-dose vaccine plus one booster shot no less than 2 weeks prior to the first entry to the building, as described in the Vaccine Policy.

Students can get a COVID-19 test at many local pharmacies, or at one of the sites listed below. Valid Health Insurance may be required at some testing sites.

NYC Health and HospitalsFree tests available.

NYC Health Express Testing - Free tests available

LABQ 24-hr PCR results

CareCube Same Day PCR results

Mount Sinai Hospital Urgent Care

NYC.gov - testing sites

Mobile Testing Sites

Regardless of your vaccination status, anyone who tests positive must do the following:  

• Send an email immediately to aileyforward@alvinailey.org to inform us of your positive test result. Students who reside at the Ludlow Residence should also send an email to student-covid-alert@sva.edu.

• Isolate yourself at home for 5 days. 

• If you have been fever-free for 24 hours and have no symptoms, or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house. If you still have a fever or your symptoms are not resolving, you are required to remain in isolation until your fever resolves. 

• All those who test positive, as well as those who have been in direct contact with a someone who tested positive, will receive communication from The Ailey School further instructions.  

• All those who reside at the Ludlow Residence will receive communication and instructions from the Ludlow Health Services.

• If you have been cleared by The Ailey School to exit isolation and return to the Ailey building after 5 days of isolation, you will be required to double mask (2 layers of mask protection) for 5 additional days.   

For vaccinated + boosted (those who completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 5 months or J & J in the last 2 months + a third additional shot)

• You do NOT need to quarantine. Wear a mask when in public and monitor your symptoms. If you have no symptoms, get tested between day 3-5 after exposure (day of exposure is day 0). If you develop symptoms, get tested immediately and isolate yourself until you get your results. If you test positive, see I’ve tested positive for Covid-19.

Vaccinated, but not boosted (completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine more than 5 months ago or J & J more than 2 months who is not eligible for third shot or who hasn’t received it)

• Separate yourself from the individual that tested positive and quarantine for 5 days from the last day of exposure to the individual. If you remain asymptomatic you may exit quarantine to get tested on day 5 but continue wear a mask around other for 5 more days. If your test is positive, see FAQ What Happens if I Test Positive for Covid-19?
• If you cannot separate yourself from the positive individual (i.e you are the caregiver), then stay home with the infected individual for the duration of their isolation and begin your 5-day quarantine at the end of their isolation.   

You may test positive up to 90 days after experiencing Covid. Submit official documentation and/or a doctor’s note of your positive test result to Ailey Forward. The doctor’s note should include your name, the date of your positive test result, and a statement that have fully recovered.

Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.

• Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
• Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

• Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days (day 0 is the date of your exposure). Wear a well-fitting mask when around others at home, if possible.
• If possible, stay away from people you live with, especially people who are at higher risk for severe disease or for getting very sick from COVID-19, as well as others outside your home throughout the full 10 days after your last close contact with someone with COVID-19.
• Do not travel during your 5-day quarantine period. It is best to wait until day 11 before traveling. If you must travel before the 10-days are completed, wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others for the entire duration of travel during.
• Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask, such as restaurants and some gyms, and avoid eating around others at home and at work until after 10-days after your last close contact with someone with COVID-19.

• If you tested positive, the day of your positive test result, or the day of your first symptom is day 0.
  • Symptomatic case: You developed a cough on Saturday, June 4^th. You received a Covid test on June 5^th and your results came back positive on June 7^th. Your day 0 is June 4^th and day 5 is June 9^th. You may exit isolation on Day 6, June 10^th.
  • Asymptomatic case: You have no symptoms, but you received a covid test on June 5^th and your results came back positive on June 7^th. Your day 0 for monitoring symptoms starts June 5^th and your recommended testing window is between June 8^th-10^th.
  • Exposure case: Please see FAQ I have been in contact with someone who tested positive. What should I do?

Yes. Ailey’s app is Healthcheck. This is a separate app from the health screening app utilized by Fordham University (for BFA students) and separate from the health attestation kiosk (SPLAN) located at the Ludlow Residence (for students residing at Ludlow).

Healthcheck user instructions>
Healthcheck password reset>
Healthcheck FAQ’s>

Yes. For the safety of everyone in the building, all students, faculty, musicians, administrative staff, and company dancers are always required to wear a surgical mask in the studios and in public areas of the building.  Ailey will also have enough disposable masks, gloves, face shields (upon special request), hand sanitizers, and wipes on hand for everyone in the building. 

Ailey also recommends that everyone entering the building consult NY Forward and CDC to learn about cloth masks in order to make personal decisions regarding mask usage.  Ailey does NOT recommend gaitors, fleece, or bandanas. Fabric masks should be washed at home frequently. 

Ailey is following all Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Dance USA guidelines on cleaning and air flow. Details can be found in Ailey Forward. In brief, Ailey will clean all studios with electrostatic sprayers, use CDC approved cleaning supplies, and maximize airflow and air filters (Merv 13 and higher) in the HVAC system. Bathrooms are fully hands-free including toilet seat activated flushing devices.

Yes, we encourage all students, faculty, musicians and staff to receive their annual flu shots.

We suggest you make a check-list to be certain you have covered some essential things, such as:

• Make sure you have a digital thermometer to monitor your temperature daily.
• Contact your primary care physician to see if they provide telehealth services.
• Make sure your health insurance is up to date, valid for the full duration of your enrollment at The Ailey School and is valid in New York State.
• Have enough CDC-recommended face masks for daily wear at The Ailey School.
• Have a supply of small bottles of hand sanitizer you can carry with you daily.
• Bring a basic First Aid Kit with you (ie: pain reliever/fever reducer, a supply of any personal medications you are prescribed to take by a physician, etc.). 
• Make sure your Emergency Contact person is listed in your cell phone under I.C.E. (In Case of Emergency)
• Make sure The Ailey School has your current telephone number and email on file, as well as that of your emergency contact person.

Students are encouraged to email aileyforward@alvinailey.org for ongoing questions, which will be kept confidential. Please use the subject line STUDENT COVID QUESTION.

Additionally, your school leaders are here to hear! Students can email their Faculty Advisor, School Staff, or The Ailey School Co-Directors with questions.

Please visit the following links for information:

New York Forward>
Center for Disease Control>
World Health Organization>
What to do if you feel sick>