class size

[dancindaughters]

I'm wondering about the average, ideal, or at least acceptable class size for young dancers ( under age 12 ), both for summer and year-round. My daughter has found her summer program class to be more than twice as large as her regular year-round class. I worry that she won't get enough individual attention to improve. How many is too many?

[Victoria Leigh]

It really depends on the size of the studio, and of course the experience and ability of the faculty to handle a relatively large group. Most can handle about 20 to 25 students, if the studio is large enough. Under 12 I think I would prefer to keep it about 20 during the school year, but in the summer classes generally have to be larger. We try to limit to 25, but it doesn't always work.

[balletmom311]

Year round class size at local school is a maximum of 12. When she was away at a full time program normal was 12 - 14. Summer Auditioning class size was 16-18.

[thedriver]

I have also been concern about class size, especially at the SIs. This is the second year my DD has attended a major SI and both programs have had, what I consider rather large classes. I should add that this situation seems to bother me more than it does DD. What would be considered the maximum number of students for an intermediate level class (1.5 hours)? Would increasing the class time help overcome the large class size?

[Victoria Leigh]

We have increased the class time on our SI for the two highest levels, to one hour and 45 minutes. This is helping enormously in being able to deal with the number of students and get the full class done properly. The Intermediates, which are Levels 4 and 5 in the summer, still have one hour and a half. This is not a problem with the 5 level, as they are not overloaded because there are two sections of that level, but the 4's are overloaded and really need more time.

[thedriver]

Ms. Leigh, how concern should I be with this problem. When considering SIs for next year should class size and class time be a major focus in selecting a program? Except for what is reported on BT is it extremely difficult to determine class size and class time in advance.

[Guest dancinx2]

I too wonder about large class sizes. My girls are at a SI where I specifically asked about class size at their audition and was told 20-25, well there were over 70 girls at the class placement day their first day and that was divided into only 2 levels; intermediate and advanced. So, I'm thinking now their class is closer to 35 instead of 25, but then my daughter tells me that there are only about 20 in the intermediate class!! These SI are very expensive and I'm wondering if programs overbook thinking some kids will drop out, or that they can handle more if they really have too?? How upset should I be? My girls tell me that they are having a great time and seem to be getting many corrections (much to their dismay), but I see that as a good thing, being noticed in such a large group.

[Victoria Leigh]

It's really hard to regulate exactly. I had a cut off of 25, went to 30, but ended up with 27, which is fine. I think we have to accept a few more per class, as there are always a couple of drop outs due to injury or something else prior to the SI starting. We are overloaded on one of our lower levels this summer, primarily due to too many of our own students registering at the last minute, or late. I tried to regulate this, but it is really hard to turn away your own students.

[balletshuttle]

My dd 's SI classes have fewer than 20 students. This is very nice! My older DD attended several SI's and I don't think she ever had a class with less than 30.