PRE-BALLET
IGNITING IMAGINATION AND JOY
Every dance begins with a single step. Pre-Ballet classes at San Francisco Ballet School introduce young children to the fundamentals of classical technique, focusing on body alignment, basic technique, musicality, and age-appropriate vocabulary. In a safe, supportive, and structured environment, students develop more than movement skills: they build creativity, focus, teamwork, and confidence.
Registration
Registration for the 2025–2026 school year is now closed.
Additional openings, if available, will be released in December for classes beginning in January.
Register based on your child’s age as of September 1. Classes take place at 455 Franklin Street in San Francisco and meet once per week from September to May. Male-identifying students are welcome to join any class, and we are now offering classes just for male-identifying students aged 4 to 7.
Enrollment is limited
Class sizes are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend early registration, as classes often reach capacity.
Trial Classes
Registration Fee: $20
Registration for 2026 trial classes opens in the fall.
New students ages 3–7 (as of September 1, 2026) are invited to attend a trial class at our studios. Trial classes are approximately 45 minutes. One parent or guardian must accompany each student.
Students should wear ballet attire and ballet shoes. If unavailable, comfortable clothing such as T-shirts, shorts or leggings, and socks is acceptable.
Classes
2–3-YEAR-OLDS (WITH AN ADULT)
Dance with Me is the very first introduction to ballet and to San Francisco Ballet School’s Pre-Ballet Program. Together with a parent or guardian or the adult accompanying the student, students will learn age-appropriate ballet movement and terminology, creativity, body and spatial awareness, and musicality. Sharing the joy of dance together in a nurturing ballet classroom setting, students will gain confidence to prepare them for the next levels of their training. Accompanying adults will enjoy dancing and becoming part of their child’s first ballet experience.
Tuesdays 11:30 AM–12:15 PM
Sundays 11:30 AM–12:15 PM
3-YEAR-OLDS
Creative Movement begins with introducing children to the world of ballet. It encourages creativity, musicality, and physicality, and begins the development of spatial awareness. Creative Movement introduces our youngest students to a classroom setting and introduces them to age-appropriate elementary ballet vocabulary in a nurturing environment.
Mondays 3:30-4:15 PM
Saturdays 9:15-10:00 AM
Sundays 9:00–9:45 AM
4-YEAR-OLDS
Creative Dance 1 builds on the experience in Creative Movement. The class continues to introduce ballet terminology, the development of coordination and sense of musicality, and the element of storytelling. It teaches children discipline and confidence, how to follow directions closely, and develops new skills.
Mondays 4:30–5:15 PM
Tuesdays 2:45–3:30 PM
Thursdays 4:15–5:00 PM
Saturdays 10:00–10:45 AM & 11:45 AM –12:30 PM
Sundays 9:45–10:30 AM & 12:30–1:15 PM
Male-identifying (Ages 4–5) Saturday 10:45–11:45 AM
5-YEAR-OLDS
Creative Dance 2 builds upon Creative Movement and Creative Dance 1. Fundamental ballet steps, terminology, and posture are reinforced. Students learn lateral development, how to stand in lines and rows, transitions between exercises, and begin to develop an awareness of the importance of music and movement.
Tuesdays 3:30–4:15 PM
Wednesdays 4:00–4:45 PM
Thursdays 5:00–5:45 PM
Saturdays 10:45–11:30 AM
Sundays 10:45–11:30 AM & 12:15–1:00 PM
Male-identifying (Ages 4–5) Saturday 10:45–11:45 AM
6-YEAR-OLDS
Pre-Ballet 1 builds on Creative Movement, Creative Dance 1, and Creative Dance 2 and continues to refine ballet steps and ballet terminology. Exercises develop posture and balance, strength, flexibility, and coordination.
Fridays 3:30–4:30 PM
Saturdays 12:45–1:45 PM
Sundays 9:00–10:00 AM & 10:00-11:00 AM
Male-identifying (Ages 6–7) Saturday 11:45 AM–12:45 PM
7-YEAR-OLDS
Pre-Ballet 2 is the final level of open-enrollment children’s classes at San Francisco Ballet School. Students must attend a screening to be considered for enrollment into Level 1. Pre-Ballet 2 builds on Creative Movement, Creative Dance 1 and 2, and Pre-Ballet 1. The continuation of classical ballet training is reinforced and further developed to prepare students to attend the screening for the pre-professional division at San Francisco Ballet School. Coordination, musicality, flexibility, posture, and ballet terminology are all emphasized.
Saturdays 11:45 AM–12:45 PM, Sundays 11:15 AM–12:15 PM & 12:15–1:15 PM
NEW! Mondays 4:00–5:00 PM
Male-identifying (Ages 6-7) Sundays 11:15 AM–12:15 PM
Tuition & Fees
Registration Fee
$250
2025 2026 School Year Tuition
Ages 2–3 – Dance with Me: $825 per semester
Semester 1: September – December
Semester 2: January – May (Registration opens in December. Students enrolled in the fall semester receive priority for spring registration.)
Age 3 – Creative Movement: $1,650
Age 4 – Creative Dance 1: $1,735
Age 5 – Creative Dance 2: $1,735
Age 6 – Pre-Ballet 1: $2,165
Age 7 – Pre-Ballet 2: $2,165
2025 2026 Tuition Plan Fees
Full Pay & 2-pay: $25
4-pay: $55
Payment timeline
Upon enrollment, you commit to the full school year (September–May). Tuition may be paid in 1, 2, or 4 installments.
- $250 registration fee is due with application.
- Enrollment packets are emailed within 10 days.
- Payment plan is selected in the packet.
- First tuition payment is charged 10 days after plan finalization.
- FACTS will email your account summary and due dates.
- Enrollment packets must be completed within 10 days to secure your spot. Incomplete packets may result in waitlisting.
Please note: Enrollment requires multiple steps and an online account. Be sure to review all instructions carefully.
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. Aid is awarded based on demonstrated need. Applications may be submitted once an invitation to enroll has been received. Registration fees are not covered. Aid applies to one school year and does not renew automatically; families must reapply annually.
DETAILS
Faculty
Pre-Ballet classes are taught by San Francisco Ballet School faculty.
Schedule changes, cancellations & absences
Schedules are subject to change. Classes may be canceled if minimum enrollment is not met. Please notify the school office of absences. Make-up classes are not available.
Class observations
Parents/guardians may attend two observations per year. Dates are provided each semester.
Auditions, Higher levels & Performances
Pre-Ballet classes do not require an audition. Students aging out and seeking Level 1 admission must attend a screening. Pre-Ballet students do not participate in Nutcracker or Spring Festival performances.
Contact
Have questions? Email us at school@sfballet.org.