Is a high school that specializes in dance right for me? - once a young person has decided on a dance-orientated high school, there will be three types of schools to choose from, magnet school, government school, and private school - Young Dancers - Brief Article

Dance Magazine, Nov, 1997 by Nuriel Topaz

For some people the decision to attend a dance high school is obvious. They are already committed to the serious study of dance. They've discovered that the hours spent in class are among the most satisfying in their lives. Dancing is a passion; it is what they most want to do.

For others, the choice is less obvious, though still an option. Attending a dance high school is meaningful even for those who are not certain that they wish to pursue a career in dance. An arts high school offers the opportunity to taste what life as a dancer will be like, while continuing academic preparation for other careers, just in case.

These high schools all provide strong academic programs as well as dance training. Most require students to maintain a fairly high standard of academic achievement in order to remain in the dance program. Additionally, the dance training itself teaches important values, no matter what future path students take. Attributes such as discipline, self-evaluation, the ability to work single-mindedly toward a given goal, physical and mental stamina, and efficiency are valuable in all walks of life.

Once you make your decision, the next step is to determine the best high school for you. There are several categories:

a. Arts Magnet Schools. These are public schools run by state deportments of education. They serve the educational needs of a given community and are only open to those who live in that particular community. They are called magnet schools precisely because they draw from a wider population than a single school district. As public schools, they are tuition-free, although some allow out-of-district or out-of-state students to attend if they pay tuition. Almost all have some audition procedure, often based on natural talent rather than on previous training. Most require a certain level of academic achievement for admission.

b. Governor's Schools. These are also publicly funded by the state. They differ from magnet schools in that they serve entire states and are sometimes open to residents of other states on a tuition-paying basis. The type of program offered differs from one Governor's School to the next. Some offer intensive summer study, while others have academic-year residential programs. Your state's department of education should be able to provide more specific and up-to-date information, as many states are in the process of forming Governor's Schools.

c. Private Schools. At one end of the wide range of private education which includes dance are studio and conservatory-type training. In these schools academics are offered either on-site or through neighboring institutions which have schedules that are made to accommodate these specialized, professionally oriented students. At the other end of the category of private schools are academic institutions with associated dance programs. Fees differ greatly from one institution to the next, ranging from those which fully subsidize all students and those that offer merit- or need-based full or partial scholarships to others that are some of the priciest schools in the nation. Many have residential (boarding) facilities, although there are also many private day schools, particularly in large urban areas. Admission and audition require meets depend on the type of program. Studio and conservatory programs have highly competitive auditions with less emphasis on academic credentials; more academically oriented schools depend less on the audition procedure and more on scholastic achievement.

The best way to find out about audition procedures and admission requirements is to be in direct contact the institutions that are attractive to you, in the fall of the year before you wish to attend. Some institutions are able to accommodate late applications, but waiting until the last minute risks the possibility of missing the audition or of there being no more room in the school.

Institutions may require any or all of the following:

Live or videotape auditions

Academic records

Letters of recommendation

A personal essay

A photograph

An interview

Be sure to request written information on the curriculum and application procedures; and follow all of the instructions carefully.

So, what are you waiting for?