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 will be 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. 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 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
 

Junior Division will be offering a schedule of classes for students in First Steps & Bounding Boys and Levels I-VII. All classes will be offered in person.

In-Person Classes

• Masks will be required at all times in The Ailey Studios
• A bottle of water
• A cell phone (for contact tracing app. & building entry)
• A supply of small bottles of hand sanitizer you can carry with you daily
• A basic First Aid Kit (ie: pain reliever/fever reducer, a supply of any personal medications you are prescribed to take by a physician, etc.)

Online Classes

• An internet-enabled device with webcam to participate in Zoom classes
• Reliable internet access
• A safe moving space clear of obstructions
• The ability to log in and out of Google Classrooms and Zoom independently
• If desired, students may choose to purchase marley floors or ballet barres, but these items are not required

To reduce the number of people in the building at one time, parents will not be permitted into the building. Drop off and pick up procedures will be announced at the start of the academic year.

At this time, all dressing rooms and locker rooms are closed. Students are asked to arrive already dressed for class. The restrooms will be open, however, please do not use these in lieu of a dressing room.

This year, 2022-2023, we are excited to offer opportunities for parents to observe classes at designated times throughout the year. Details and dates are forthcoming.

Please contact the advisors over seeing your Level: 

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

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

Health & Safety Questions: aileyforward@alvinailey.org.
Please cc: dtricarico@alvinailey.org.

Questions and information about the program: juniordivisionparent@alvinailey.org.

Registration assistance: juniordivisionregistrar@alvinailey.org.

Payment questions: bursar@alvinailey.org.

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

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

Class schedules are based on student placement and class levels.

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 students who have been enrolled for one or more years, and can be requested prior to the start of each semester. First year students are not eligible to receive Tuition Assistance. Application instructions are provided during re-enrollment. Tuition Assistance and scholarship funds 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 Audition Calendar or email juniordivision@alvinailey.org for more information.

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

Students are allowed 5 excused absences per term. 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.

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

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