West Point Ballet’s Expectations For Student Behavior
*updated December 2024
Our Vision:
We are building a community of dancers who are dedicated, resilient, and supportive. By prioritizing your own growth and cultivating a positive, respectful environment, you contribute to the kind of studio where everyone can thrive. Let’s work together to create a space where hard work, passion, and mutual respect shine above all else. We are committed to fostering a culture of dedication, personal growth, and genuine passion for ballet. We expect our dancers to take responsibility for their training, to be here for themselves, and to engage in healthy competition that inspires everyone to improve.
Be Here for Yourself: Your training is your journey. Show up to class with a mindset focused on your improvement, growth, and love for ballet.
Stay Focused: Use your time in the studio to work hard and strive for excellence. Ballet requires discipline, and we expect you to take ownership of your progress. Ultimately, you are responsible for your progress in ballet. Teachers are here to help, guide, and coach you while fostering a nurturing environment where you can succeed. But it is up to you to apply yourself and make progress.
Healthy Competition: Compete with yourself and use the successes of your peers as inspiration to push yourself further. Competition should motivate, not discourage or create negativity.
Love for Ballet: While it is wonderful to have a community of friends at ballet who you enjoy spending so much time with, we welcome dancers who are here because they are passionate about the art form, not just for the social aspects of class. While friendships are a wonderful part of the studio experience, your primary focus should be on your training and goals.
A Positive Mindset: We want dancers who uplift others and bring a spirit of camaraderie to the studio—not those who engage in gossip, negativity, or tearing others down. Just because you put out someone else’s “light”, that doesn’t make your light shine any brighter.
Focus on Yourself: Your role as a dancer is to work on your own technique, artistry, and growth. It is not your place to point out mistakes or issues in other dancers.
Respect the Authority of Teachers: Teachers and directors are trained professionals who are responsible for guiding the class. They will address any mistakes, corrections, or concerns as they see fit.
Avoid Unsolicited Critiques: Commenting on another dancer’s performance or technique—even with good intentions—can come across as disrespectful or overstepping boundaries.
Maintains a Positive Environment: When dancers focus on themselves and let teachers handle corrections, the class remains constructive and encouraging for everyone.
Prevents Miscommunication: Unsolicited feedback can lead to misunderstandings or feelings of discomfort.
Builds Trust in Leadership: Allowing teachers to guide the class reinforces their role and ensures everyone receives consistent and professional instruction.
Expectations for Respectful Behavior:
We hold our dancers to the highest standards of respect, kindness, and maturity. Dance is a collaborative art form that thrives on trust and mutual support, so it is vital that everyone treats their fellow dancers with the care and respect they deserve.
Be Good Teammates: Support one another, cheer for each other’s successes, and celebrate each other’s progress.
Uplift and Encourage: If someone is struggling, offer encouragement rather than criticism. A kind word or a smile can make a big difference.
Respect Boundaries: Understand that everyone learns at their own pace and in their own way. Focus on your growth and allow others the same grace.
Zero Tolerance for Bullying:
Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated in our studio. This includes but is not limited to:
Making negative comments about a peer’s performance or progress.
Teasing or mocking another dancer in any way.
Eye rolling or other disrespectful gestures.
Correcting other dancers unless specifically asked to do so by an instructor.
Deliberately excluding others from conversations, groups, or activities.
These behaviors are harmful, and they do not align with the supportive and positive environment we strive to maintain.
Consequences:
If disrespectful behavior or bullying is observed or reported, it will be addressed immediately and may result in consequences, including discussions with parents, temporary suspension from class, or dismissal from the program for repeated offenses.
Together, we can create a studio culture where every dancer feels valued, respected, and empowered to grow. Let's commit to lifting each other up and celebrating the beautiful art of dance as a team.