Academy Preschool Program

2010-2011 preschool registration
Monday, May 17
beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Registration for the 2010-2011 year will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 17, 2010.
Registration forms can be obtained in-person at the Academy office or downloaded here starting at 10 a.m. on May 17th.  Forms can be emailed, mailed, or faxed to the Academy Office.
Instructions posted on May 17th will contain further details about submitting registration. Students must have turn 4 years old on or before August 23, 2010 in order to register for the 2010-2011 Pre-School Program.

Registration is done on a first come, first served basis, and will be closed once a class is filled to capacity.  One-fourth of the total tuition amount is due at the time of registration.  Tuition for the 2010-2011 year is $988.
**Please note:  Both methods of registration (in-person or downloading the forms) will be first-come, first serve, and no priority will be given.

2010-2011 class schedule

Students in the Pre-school Division attend one class a week for one hour. Parents may choose their preferred day based on class availability.

Creative Dance 1     **CLOSED**
Monday, 4:00-5:00 PM
Age: 4

Creative Dance 1
Thursday, 5:00-6:00 PM
Age: 4 

Creative Dance 1    **CLOSED**
Saturday, 9:00-10:00 AM
Age: 4

Creative Dance 2
Monday, 5:00-6:00 PM
Age: 5

Creative Dance 2    **CLOSED**
Thursday, 4:00-5:00 PM
Age: 5

Creative Dance 2
Saturday, 10:00-11:00 AM
Age: 5

Pre-Ballet     **CLOSED**
Tuesday, 4:00-5:00 PM
Age: 6

Pre-Ballet     **CLOSED**
Wednesday 4:00-5:00 PM
Age: 6

Pre-Ballet     **CLOSED**
Saturday 11:00-12:00pm
Age: 6

Subject to change.

CREATIVE DANCE

Creative Dance is for children four and five years of age. Creative Dance explores both the creative and physical dimensions of each child as they gain awareness of music, rhythm, and movement. Activities are designed to develop strength, coordination, creative thinking, and expression. Through classroom activities, children refine motor skills and develop the creative process through the use of props and imagery.

PRE-BALLET

Pre-ballet is for children six years of age. This class provides a bridge between Creative Dance and the academy’s first level of ballet. Children are introduced to the structure and discipline of a ballet class, as well as music awareness and basic ballet terminology. Pre-ballet emphasizes creative expression through movement to music.

Program Eligibility

An audition is not required to enroll in Creative Dance or Pre-Ballet. Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Classes are closed once capacity is reached. To be eligible for Creative Dance 1, Creative Dance 2 or Pre-Ballet for the 2010-2011 year, a child must be four, five or six years old respectively on or before August 23, 2010.

Pre-Ballet and Creative Dance 1 and 2 are each full-year programs. Each student's skill and maturity is assessed throughout the year. Written notification of placement for the following year is sent by mail at the end of the spring semester.

Students who wish to continue training in the academy's main school division (Levels 1-8) must audition for Level 1 Ballet. Students registered in Pre-Ballet will be given a courtesy audition at the end of April. Notification of results will be sent after the July open audition.

Principal of the Lower School: Priscilla Nathan-Murphy
Principal Instructor Lower School: Cheryne Busch
Instructor:  Beth Everitt

2010 - 2011 semesters

Fall Semester:
August 23, 2010 - January 15, 2011

Spring Semester:
January 18, 2011 - May 27, 2011

TUITION FOR THE 2010-2011 YEAR

Tuition may be paid in full at registration or in four payments throughout the year.

Tuition Payment Deadlines:
1st Payment:  at the time of registration
2nd Payment: October 1, 2010
3rd Payment:  December 1, 2010
4th Payment:  February 1, 2011

*Please note that students with delinquent accounts will not be admitted to class or be eligible to register for the next semester until their account is current.

Withdrawal Policy
Parents or guardians who wish to withdraw their child from the Academy must submit, in writing, to the Academy Office notice that the child will be leaving the school.  Parents/guardians will be responsible for all tuition payments due up to the point in which the Academy has received written notification of the student's withdrawal.

Family Rates
Family rates are available to families with more than one student enrolled in classes. The student in the highest level will pay full tuition. Each additional child will receive a ten percent discount on tuition.

Refund Policy
Tuition is non-refundable except in the case of serious illness or injury as verified by a doctor’s certificate.

ATTENDANCE

Creative Dance and Pre-Ballet students may make up an absence by attending another section of their level. Prior to making up a class, the student must pick up a make-up form in the academy office.

School Holidays
Labor Day: September 4-September 6, 2010
Teacher In-Service: September 17, 2010
Thanksgiving Break: November 22-27, 2010
Winter Break: December 20, 2010-January 3, 2011
Martin Luther King Day: January 17, 2011
Spring Break: March 14-19, 2011
Spring Holiday: April 22-23, 2011
Student Holiday: MAY 2, 2011 

CLASS ATTIRE

Creative Dance

Girls - Black sleeveless scooped neck leotard and pink footless tights. No shoes.

Boys - White short sleeve form fitting, crew neck t-shirt, black bike shorts. No shoes.

Pre-Ballet

Girls - Black sleeveless scooped neck leotard, pink tights, ballet shoes, and notebook.

Boys - White short sleeve form fitting, crew neck t-shirt, black bike shorts, white socks, black ballet shoes and notebook.

PARENT OBSERVATION DATES

Parents with children in Creative Dance and/or Pre-Ballet are invited to observe their child’s class on the following days:

Fall Semester

 Spring Semester

Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy maintains a policy of non-discrimination with regard to race, color, sex, creed, religion, national origin, sexual preference, and non-job related disability.

Contact the Academy: 

Houston Ballet main number: 713.523.6300
Email: hbacademy@houstonballet.org
Fax:713-523-4038

Image: Students in Houston Ballet's
Ben Stevenson Academy Preschool Division
Photo by: Kenn Duncan