Walnut Hill School for the Arts is a private boarding and day high school in Natick, Massachusetts, founded in 1893. Walnut Hill School for the Arts offers a comprehensive and intensive educational program for student artists in grades 9-12, as well as a PG year. This school provides unrivaled training in dance, music, theater, visual art, writing, cinema, and media arts, as well as a strong, college-preparatory academic program. Walnut Hill School for the Arts is currently regarded as one of the greatest ballet boarding schools in the United States.

Every element of the Walnut Hill School for the Arts curriculum fosters students' development as fearless creators, inquisitive learners, and conscientious citizens. On the picturesque campus in Natick, Massachusetts, students from all over the country and the world come together to create a vibrant community. Walnut Hill students graduate ready to excel in college and beyond, encouraged by peers from a diversity of artistic backgrounds and guided by skilled teachers.

Renowned Fenway Studio artist and educator Marion Pooke, class of 1901, as well as Pulitzer Prize–winning author and Poet Laureate Elizabeth Bishop, class of 1930, both attended the school. Walnut Hill established a coeducational school for the arts in the 1970s in response to the shifting educational landscape, and it has since provided great artistic instruction and academic classroom experiences.

The Professional Division at Walnut Hill of the Boston Ballet School is a one-of-a-kind education and dance training program that combines world-class dance instruction with a top-notch college preparatory program to provide students with a well-rounded educational experience. This collaborative curriculum prepares students for careers with Boston Ballet, the professional dance industry, and beyond, including the top conservatories, institutions, and colleges on the globe.

Location: Natick, Massachusetts, USA
Founded: 1893
Tuition: $64,460
Average class size: 16 students
Grades: 9-12, PG
Website: https://www.walnuthillarts.org/

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Idyllwild Arts Academy is a private school in Idyllwild, California, that was founded in 1946. It is a one-of-a-kind educational institution that focuses on all art forms for artists of all ages and levels of achievement. Essentially, the Idyllwild Arts Academy offers a diverse student body of brilliant young artists from all over the world pre-professional arts instruction and a complete college preparatory program.

The 300 students of Idyllwild Arts Academy come from more than 30 nations and strive for artistic excellence in Music, Theatre, Dance, Visual Art, Creative Writing, Film & Digital Media, InterArts, and Fashion Design. Idyllwild Arts Academy graduates are currently excelling in every professional arena of the arts, including Broadway theater, primetime television, classical and jazz music, motion pictures, graphic design, photography, and more.

Idyllwild Arts Academy is currently one of the greatest ballet boarding high schools in the United States. Summer after summer, students ages 10 to 18 are pushed to polish their technique and creative energy by studying a variety of dance disciplines at Idyllwild Arts. From ballet to modern, tap to hip-hop, jazz to pointe, the dance faculty cultivates each dancer's inner confidence in order to help them become true performers.

Location: Idyllwild, California, USA
Founded: 1946
Tuition: $64,090
Average class size: 13 students
Grades: 9-12, PG
Website: https://idyllwildarts.org/

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St. Paul's School (SPS) is known as a very selective co-educational boarding school. This school, based in Concord, New Hampshire, was founded in 1856 and is linked with the Episcopal Church. It is a learning community where striving for greatness is a common goal. Therefore, St. Paul's School is also known for being one of the greatest ballet boarding schools in the United States.

Students at St. Paul's School have the chance to combine a demanding academic curriculum with the best dancing instruction in a specialized dance facility.

Through teaching in classical ballet, modern dance, anatomical theory, and performance, the St. Paul's School Dance Program cultivates a stimulating, supportive, and creative learning environment and prepares its students to dance at the pre-professional and collegiate level. The faculty firmly believes that learning dance is a process and that students are constantly changing and developing. The school's objectives are to develop technically competent dancers with good work ethics, foster artistic development, and assist dancers from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

The SPS Dance Program primarily prepares students for college and pre-professional dance by combining a strong academic education with the best dance training available in a specialized dance facility. To be more specific, the SPS Dance Program promotes a positive, loving, and artistic learning environment while also developing technically skilled dancers with a strong work ethic. Dancers with good technique can audition for the SPSBC (St. Paul's School Ballet Company), a year-round program that can be used to supplement university athletic activity.

Location: Concord, New Hampshire, USA
Founded: 1865
Tuition: $62,000
Average class size: 12 students
Grades: 9-12
Website: https://www.sps.edu/

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The Westover School, also known as "Westover", is a private college preparatory day and boarding school for girls located in Middlebury, Connecticut. They help gifted and talented girls develop into confident and connected women at Westover. Westover is one of the finest boarding schools in the United States that offers ballet classes to its pupils.

Westover's Dance Program aims to instill a passion for dance in students through a variety of class options, multiple performance opportunities, and master workshops with guest instructors. Ballet and modern are the core curriculum, with supplementary classes in composition, jazz, contemporary, and hip-hop. Cross-training options include aerobics, strength and stretch, yoga, and a variety of programs given throughout the school year. Dance will teach students joy, creativity, and independence. Westover welcomes dancers of all levels, experiences, and talents, from experienced professionals to those just starting out. Their goal is for all dancers to understand the principles of teamwork, tenacity, resilience, and self-worth.

The Art Department at Westover essentially delivers an immersive and diversified program that enables students to become more aware of the world around them by facilitating an exchange of ideas. The dance department offers advanced and novice sessions that allow students to engage deeply with professors and peers while also providing a diverse range of opportunities to explore and enhance their personal talents and repertoire.

Location: Middlebury, Connecticut, USA
Founded: 1909
Tuition: $63,800
Average class size: 11 students
Grades: 9-12
Website: https://www.westoverschool.org/

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The White Mountain School is a college-preparatory boarding and day school for students from grades 9 to 12/PG. This ballet boarding school was founded in 1886 and is set in the magnificent White Mountains of northern New Hampshire. They prepare and motivate students to live lives of curiosity, courage, and compassion thanks to their Episcopal roots. In addition, the White Mountain School is one of the greatest ballet boarding schools and colleges in the United States.

Because of the school's collaboration with Creative Edge Dance Studio, the White Mountain School students have access to a wide range of dance activities to explore or deepen their interest in dance. Academic courses, as well as technique and performance-based lessons, are available for a variety of dance forms and performance levels.

The White Mountain School and Creative Edge Dance Studio (CEDS) share a common location and program. As the only studio in the region, Creative Edge was established more than 20 years ago. Children can be exposed to movement, exercise, and art in a safe setting at CEDS, which offers high-quality, reasonably priced dance education for kids aged three and up. Older students can improve their technique and use dance as their primary extracurricular activity. In 2014, the studio moved to the White Mountain School campus and now serves over 210 students, 6 of whom are full-time dance students at the school.

Students now have access to high-quality teaching in a variety of dance genres (ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and modern) because of the partnership between CEDS and White Mountain. At a school of this size that does not provide performing arts, these options would not typically be accessible. The CEDS faculty is supportive, knowledgeable, and professional. Serious dancers who enroll at White Mountain can maintain their training at a high level while simultaneously gaining from the demanding and rigorous academic curriculum at White Mountain. Students at White Mountain continue to develop and make use of the academic and extracurricular opportunities offered by a dance program that is so closely connected to their school.

Location: Bethlehem, New Hampshire, USA
Founded: 1886
Tuition: $65,900
Average class size: 10 students
Grades: 9-12, PG
Website: https://www.whitemountain.org/

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Linden Hall School, founded in 1746, is the United States' oldest continuously operating independent boarding and day school for girls. It encourages girls to be curious and creative thinkers, builds leadership skills, and gives them the tools they need to succeed. Linden Hall is also regarded as one of the best ballet boarding schools in the United States.

This school primarily provides academic dance classes, a dance team, and a dance club, as well as private dance coaching. As a result, students at Linden Hall School have the option of taking dance as a half-credit academic subject in physical education or art, or as an extracurricular activity. Although there is only one academic dance course given per semester, students may audition for the Linden Hall Dance Team and get 0.5 credit in Physical Education for a full-year commitment.

Students at Linden Hall are encouraged to:

• Understand the STEAM curriculum's cross-curricular connections between Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math, as well as how the arts relate to humanities themes.
• Accept the impact of their international counterparts; and
• Exhibit, perform, and compete to showcase their talents outside of the classroom.

Location: Lititz, Pennsylvania, USA

Founded: 1746

Tuition: $57,650

Average class size: 10 students

Grades: 6-12, PG

Website: https://www.lindenhall.org/

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Saint James School, founded in 1842, is a private, Episcopal, coeducational boarding and day school. This school is for students from grades 8 to 12 in Hagerstown, Maryland. St. James school programs encourage and challenge young men and women to develop their talents and improve their skills in a variety of areas, but most importantly, to become better people who are resilient, self-assured, kind, and helpful.

This school is now regarded as one of the top ballet residential schools in the United States. Dance is primarily offered at St. James School during the winter season in their dance studios. Classes cater to the requirements and interests of students of all levels while stressing the physical side of dance. Beginners looking for a new experience, athletes working on agility and coordination, and more advanced students looking to improve their skills can all benefit from these classes.

A variety of dance styles are introduced to Saint James' dance students through daily courses that place an emphasis on technique, performance style, and related language. The classical, contemporary, jazz, modern, and musical theater genres are among the styles. The goal of rehearsals is to develop a performance experience for the students and the school community. They place a strong emphasis on collaboration, coordination, artistry, and choreographic building.

Location: Hagerstown, Maryland, USA

Founded: 1842

Tuition: $51,000

Average class size: 11 students

Grades: 8-12

Website: https://www.stjames.edu/

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Oldfields School in Sparks Glencoe, Maryland, was founded in 1867 as a college preparatory school for girls from grades 8 to 12. Oldfields believes that the best learning occurs in an environment where students are known, their voices are heard, and failure is accepted as a part of success. As a result, as a small school, they are adaptable, providing unique immersive experiences for each girl to achieve her mental, physical, and spiritual goals. Learning is done here, and they are one of the top ballet boarding schools and colleges in the United States.

At Oldfields, there are countless ways to express oneself through dance. In fact, it is a feature of the Oldfields School experience that every girl, from novice to expert, finds a happy place to shine. In general, dancers can enroll in jazz, hip-hop, and ballet classes, as well as master classes throughout the year.

With fewer than ten pupils in most classes, each girl is well-known. All voices have been heard. Small classrooms allow each girl to contribute and shine in her own unique way. With experiential learning opportunities, the academic program goes far beyond the classroom.

• 5:1 Teacher to Student Ratio
• Average Class Size of 8
• 50+ college representatives visits to campus per year
• Experiential Learning including May Programs

There will never be a point in a young woman's life when there are as many dedicated teachers invested in her success and eager to support her in realizing her full potential. Teachers help students become global citizens by bringing a variety of perspectives and experiences to the classroom.

• 83% hold advanced degrees
• 10 years average tenure
• Over 50% faculty live on campus

Each girl's success requires designing an academic route that reflects her interests while also challenging her intellect. Their advisors collaborate with each girl, her teachers, and her family to create an academic route that is both difficult and unique. Oldfields prepares skilled, self-assured young women to excel and lead in college and beyond.

• College Preparatory Curriculum with AP and College-Level Honors Courses
• Learning Support
• Academic Strategies Program
• Exceptional Advisory
• Unique Academic Schedule

Location: Sparks Glencoe, Maryland, USA
Founded: 1867
Tuition: $60,900
Average class size: 8 students
Grades: 8-12
Website: https://www.oldfieldsschool.org/

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Dana Hall School in Wellesley, Massachusetts, was founded in 1881 as an independent boarding and day school. This school is for girls from grades 5 to 12 (boarding begins with students in grade 9). Dana Hall, as an all-girls school, provides female students with a unique opportunity for both education and self-development. Dana Hall provides a variety of programs for girls' self-development, including dance. It is no surprise that they are one of the best ballet boarding schools and colleges in the country.

Dana Hall School's dance curriculum is meant to improve dancers' talents and raise awareness of dance as an art form. Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip Hop, and Tap classes look at dance techniques, styles, history, anatomy, and creative expression at each level. A Dance Repertory Group, a choreographic and rehearsal course for performers to develop pieces, improve performance skills, and put on formal and casual concerts, is also available.

The Shipley Center for Health and Wellness' Dance Studio has a huge multipurpose, shock-absorbing floor as well as cutting-edge lighting and sound systems.

A Dana Hall education has stood the test of time. Since 1881, the outstanding success of its pupils and alumni has demonstrated the soundness of its educational system. Graduates go on to attend prestigious institutions and pursue prominent occupations all throughout the world. Dana Hall is where people discover their true worth—and begin to achieve their limitless potential.

Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts, USA
Founded: 1881
Tuition: $63,500
Average class size: 13 students
Grades: 9-12
Website: https://www.danahall.org/

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The Madeira School, founded in 1906, is an independent boarding and day school in McLean, Virginia, that educates girls from grades 9 to 12. In the context of a liberal arts education, the academic program of Madeira School stresses both material and skills. As part of the school's art offerings, Madeira School is currently regarded as one of the greatest ballet boarding high schools in America.

Dance is, in fact, the highlight of Madeira School's performing arts curriculum. This is due to the fact that classes are taught by professional dancers who have performed and taught at the highest levels on the East Coast and around the world. Ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and contemporary movement are the genres covered. All dancing classes are led by renowned dance professionals from the Washington, D.C. metro region.

The multilevel dance curriculum at Madeira is meant to assist prospective dancers in exploring many genres and perhaps continuing their dance studies in college or beyond. Professional dancers who perform and instruct at the highest levels lead the classes.

Dance lessons are available in Madeira as a D-block activity. From novice to expert dancers, every ability level is catered for in the curriculum. Select Dance, the most advanced group has a serious and determined stance and offers performance chances throughout the academic year. All dancers are given the option to advance to Select, if requested, through an audition or the director's approval. Hip-hop, jazz, Bollywood, afro-fusion, and other genres are among the master classes available all year round.

Location: McLean, Virginia, USA
Founded: 1906
Tuition: $64,500
Average class size: 13 students
Grades: 9-12, PG
Website: https://www.madeira.org/

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