
PRE-BALLET
PRE-BALLET
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Learn. Dance. Grow.
The joy of ballet begins with Pre-Ballet classes at San Francisco Ballet School. We introduce young children to the fundamentals of classical ballet, focusing on proper body alignment, basic ballet technique and terminology, and musicality. As part of the SF Ballet School family, your young child will learn much more than ballet. Exposure to dance reinforces important life skills like creativity, discipline, and team participation—all in a safe, fun, and nurturing environment.
2023 Summer Ballet Classes
2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE
Classes will be available on Saturdays and Sundays for ages 3–7
Schedule will be posted by April 10 and registration will open on April 17 at 9am.
2022–23 SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE
PRE-BALLET FOR 4-YEAR-OLDS
Saturday 9:00–9:45 AM
Sunday 9:00–9:45 & 10:00–10:45 AM
PRE-BALLET FOR 5-YEAR-OLDS
Saturday 9:45–10:30 AM & 10:45–11:30 AM & 11:45–12:30 PM
Sunday 11:15 AM–12:00 PM & 12:15–1:00 PM
PRE-BALLET FOR 6-YEAR-OLDS
Saturday 10:45–11:45 AM
Sunday 9:00–10:00 AM & 10:00–11:00 AM
PRE-BALLET FOR 7-YEAR-OLDS
Saturday 12:00–1:00 PM
Sunday 11:15 AM–12:15 PM & 12:15–1:15 PM
REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2023–24 School Year will open on April 17 at 9 am.
For School Year classes, students must register for the class based on their age as of September 1, 2023. Classes take place in the studios at 455 Franklin Street in San Francisco and meet one day per week from September–May.
If you are interested in being added to the email list to be notified about the 2023–24 School Year, please email registrar@sfballet.org with your student's full name and birthday and which program(s) you are interested in.
TRIAL CLASSES
Registration Fee: $20
Children ages 4–7 (as of September 1, 2023) who are new to SF Ballet School are invited to participate in a trial class on March 11 or 18. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience a Pre-Ballet class at SF Ballet School.
Trial Class Times
March 11 — 1:00 PM (Ages 4 & 5)
March 11 — 1:45 PM (Ages 6 & 7)
March 18 — 1:00 PM (Ages 4 & 5)
March 18 — 1:45 PM (Ages 6 & 7)
Students should wear ballet clothing, including ballet shoes. If students don't have ballet clothing, they should wear comfortable clothing they can move in. Good options are t-shirt, shorts or leggings, and socks.
The trial classes are approximately 45 minutes long. One parent must attend with their student.
FEES
Registration Fee: $250
2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR TUITION
Ages 4 & 5: $1,530
Ages 6 & 7: $1,915
PAYMENT TIMELINE
(Registration Fees and Tuition are non-refundable and non-transferable. Payment timeline is subject to change.)
Upon enrollment, you will be committing to the entire school year from September to May, and the tuition is split into separate payments.
- A non-refundable $250 registration fee will be assessed when the application is submitted.
- Within 10 days of submitting this form, you will receive the enrollment packet.
- When you complete the enrollment packet, you will set up a payment plan. The tuition balance can be split into 1, 2, or 4 payments.
- Your first payment will be charged 10 days after you select a payment plan, and it has been finalized by the Registrar.
- You will then receive an email from FACTS with a detailed summary of your account and due dates.
- You will have 10 days to complete your enrollment packet, or your student may be put on a waitlist.
financial aid
In order to share our joy of dance with the widest possible audience, a limited amount of financial aid is available for Pre-Ballet. Financial aid is awarded based on a demonstrated need through the Financial Aid Application. The amount of financial aid available each year is dependent upon contributions by SF Ballet donors and careful consideration is given to all requests for assistance. Families may apply once their student has received their invitation for the school year or summer program. Registration fees are not covered by financial aid. Financial aid is awarded for a limited period of time—either one summer session or one regular school year and following summer session. Families must reapply each year to be considered.
ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED
Class size is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend registering as early as possible, as classes do fill up.
WAITLIST
If your preferred class is full, you may request placement on the waitlist by emailing school@sfballet.org with your student’s full name, date of birth, and the date and time of your preferred class.
DETAILS
FACULTY
Pre-Ballet classes are taught by SF Ballet School Faculty. Faculty will be announced before classes begin.
SCHEDULE CHANGES, CANCELLATIONS & STUDENT ABSENCES
Our class schedule is subject to change. We reserve the right to cancel class if the minimum enrollment is not met. As a courtesy to the teacher, we ask that parents report absences to the school office. There are no make-up classes and students may not attend alternate classes.
PARENT OBSERVATIONS
Parents are invited to attend two class observations per school year. Dates will be shared with families at the start of each semester.
AUDITIONS, HIGHER LEVEL CLASSES & PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Because Pre-Ballet is not a part of the graded curriculum at SF Ballet School, we do not require an audition or screening for Pre-Ballet classes. Students who age-out of Pre-Ballet and are seeking admission to our Level 1 class will attend a screening.
Students in Pre-Ballet do not participate in Nutcracker or Spring Festival performances.
CONTACT INFORMATION

"The greatest thing that SF Ballet School has provided the girls is the appreciation for what it takes to excel at dance and the discipline to pursue it while further stoking their love of ballet. I think it can be difficult to maintain the balance between discipline and joy but SF Ballet School and Ms. Kristi really nail it!”
Carol Carrubba
Pre-Ballet Parent