A new Covid-19 variant is spreading across the US. Please see the following information:
Variant name: EG.5 (descendant of the Omicron variant XBB.1.9.2)
First detected in the US: April 2023, as of August 5th, the EG.5 variant made up 17.3 percent of the total cases in the United States. W.H.O. Classification “Variant of Interest”: The public health risk posed by EG.5 is evaluated as LOW at the global level.

Vaccine Effectiveness:

• Bivalent booster vaccine: This EG.5 variant might escape some immune response, especially if the booster was received several months ago.
• The new COVID-19 vaccines to protect against EG.5 are expected to be available by the end of September 2023 once the FDA and CDC sign off on the new shots. 

1. Follow Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation's COVID-19 protocols as outlined in the Health & Safety Pledge. Observe the following guidelines as well:

• All those who test positive should email Ailey Forward (aileyforward@alvinailey.org) and your Faculty Advisor to notify them you have tested positive.
• Immediately isolate yourself at home and follow the instructions you receive from Ailey Forward.
• Students residing in the Ludlow Residence or McMahon Hall should follow the protocols of those dormitories. Contact your RA for further guidance

2. Continue practicing healthy habits such as:

• Hand washing/using hand sanitizer regularly.
• Mask wearing in crowded public spaces, especially when traveling.
• Monitor your health.
• Report any illness or positive tests to Ailey Forward and your Faculty Advisor.
• Getting the updated vaccine, when available, is strongly recommended.

The Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation continues to monitor case levels, prioritizing the safety of our community. In the event of another COVID-19 surge or a new variant of concern arises, our guidance will adjust accordingly.

As of January 17, 2023, proof of vaccination is no longer required to enter the Joan Weill Center for Dance. However, because the dance studio environment involves close contact, physical exertion, and perspiration, we strongly recommend that students continue to be vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19, as well as maintaining an annual flu vaccine. 
Please note: proof of vaccination may be required in certain high risk situations.

Health & Safety Protocols are subject to change without notice.

As of May 1, 2023: Student's residing at McMahon Hall or the Ludlow Residence are no longer required to submit proof of vaccination and booster shot for COVID-19. However, because communal dormitory living involves close contact we strongly recommend that students continue to be vaccinated and boosted for COVID-19, as well as maintaining an annual flu vaccine.

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.

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 

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?

Starting March 1, 2023, the Joan Weill Center for Dance became a mask-optional environment. While masks will still be encouraged, they will not be mandatory for students, faculty, musicians and staff of The Ailey School

Note: A masking policy will remain in effect for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II dancers and crew, and anyone working in direct contact with these individuals.

The mask policy at Ailey is continually under review and is guided by the level of community outbreak in New York City. All Health & Safety Protocols are subject to change. 

Ailey is following all Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Dance USA guidelines on cleaning and air flow. In brief, Ailey will clean all studios daily using 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 dancers, 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 the  school year, and is valid in New York State.
• Have enough CDC-recommended face masks for when circulating in crowded environments in New York, such as the the subway, in theaters, or anywhere else you wish to have extra protection.
• 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
 

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

Student may only attend classes for which they are registered. We do not offer make up classes.

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.

Junior Division may NOT participate in professional level classes, regardless of their years of training or proficiency.

Level placement has been determined based on several factors including, but not limited to, proficiency in ballet and modern, instructor recommendations, and panel observation. Previous evaluations and attendance records were also reviewed to determine level placement.

It is the norm for students to spend two, sometimes three years in a Level.

Tuition fees are based on the level and program in which the student is placed. Please visit Tuition and Fees for details.

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.

The option to request Tuition Assistance is available to continuing students who were enrolled in the previous year and will be enrolling in Level III or higher, can be requested prior to the start of each semester. Awarded Tuition Assistance amounts apply to accounts after the standard minimum enrollment payment is received. Instructions on how to apply are provided during re-enrollment.

Students ages 15-17 are considered for scholarship during their audition.

If your child is going to miss class, please fill out the Absence Notification.

If a student will be absent from class, it is best that the parent fills out the Absence Notification Form. Students are permitted a 10-minute grace period for lateness. After the grace period elapses, students will not be allowed in the classroom. Please refer to the Junior Division Handbook for the allotted number of absences for each level.

Parents are permitted to use the 5^th Floor during the week, and the 4^th Floor Parent Waiting Area on Saturdays. Parents are required to use the Sign In App to enter and exit the building on weekdays. Starting in October of 2023, parents will be required to sign in and sign out of the building on Saturdays.

As of Summer 2023, the PE locker room is open to Junior Division students. When possible, students are asked to arrive already dressed for class. All restrooms are open, however please do not use these in lieu of a dressing room.

In lieu of traditional academic Report Cards, faculty submit written feedback twice per year to provide a general overview of your child’s progress in class. 

Feedback Forms 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 Feedback Form. 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.

First Steps and Bounding Boys: juniordivisionparent@alvinailey.org ATTN: Dawn 

Level I-VII: juniordivisionparent@alvinailey.org ATTN: Merceditas 

Please contact the advisors overseeing your Level:

• First Steps and Bounding Boys: juniordivisionparent@alvinailey.org, Attn: Dawn
• Level I-VII:  juniordivisionparent@alvinailey.org, Attn: Merceditas