<p>DD is currently in 7th. Already looking ahead to next year's application process. Her EC passion is dance. All styles, except tap. </p>
<p>While there is a possibility she will apply to EHS, where DS attends, she will most likely focus on boarding schools that have developed dance programs, PA, SPS, WH, CA, etc. We thought Choate was another school to consider. However, we found the following article and it gave us pause. Before we contact the Dance Director, does anyone have 411 on Choate's dance program? Thanks!</p>
<p>Although I don’t have any scoop on Choate’s dance program - I do have some advice as the parent of a dancer! When you schedule interviews, let them know that you’d like to meet with the dance director. At some schools (SPS or WH for example) your DD will have the opportunity to audition or take a dance class. </p>
<p>There is a huge variation in dance programs, but don’t necessarily rule out smaller programs (or smaller schools) if the school looks like a good academic fit. Some schools consider dance a sport but limit the number of terms, other schools give academic arts credit for dance.</p>
<p>The Choate News article highlights a common challenge at these schools - student interest! The dance programs at the traditional schools are all competing for students against an overwhelming sports culture, for some reason many athletic directors are not convinced dance is a team sport I will say that it’s almost impossible to learn much about dance programs from the schools web sites, you really do need to talk to the dance directors.</p>
<p>Other schools - Deerfield, Interlochen, Westover, Loomis - all have solid dance programs with a ballet focus, so if DD is a bunhead, you should check them out!</p>
<p>You might also look at Hotchkiss. Dance is integrated into the 9th and 10th grade humanities program, which I think is neat because then it makes it more than just an extracurricular (all students have to pick an arts program as part of their humanities studies – they have their choice of studio art, dance, drama, or photography). The head of the dance program there has arranged for a series of really amazing guest artists in residence this year. And they have a great study abroad program in Florence in the summer which is an intensive dance instruction for serious dancers.</p>
<p>Thanks tom-tom and soxmon. We would have bypassed HK since their website is void of the above important information. Now we will reach out to HK. </p>
I will say that it’s almost impossible to learn much about dance programs from the schools web sites, you really do need to talk to the dance directors.</p>