Responding to the earlier review by bluebudgie, here's my take.
It's clear this was not the right place for bluebudgie or her child. It's not a recreational school. It's serious. But I'm the uncle (and tuition payer) to 3 kids who’ve been @ PNB for 4 years now & this review doesn't reflect what I've seen. PNB teachers DO have high expectations; after all, PNB IS one of the top ballet schools IN THE COUNTRY. My experience is that the teachers are the same on watch days as on other days: firm but caring. But contrary to bluebudgie's claims, the kids DO have fun. There are always LOTS of smiling kids in class -- & huge grins @ the recitals. Yes, bluebudgie might have seen an unsmiling class. It happens. Most likely they knew they weren't performing up to their teacher's expectations. This simply shows that the teacher has a rapport with them & that they know her expectations & want to please her -- but I'm a schoolteacher myself & often see something completely different than a parent does in a classroom setting.
I am curious how bluebudgie knows ""what most moms are looking for."" In fact, many DO want their kids, even @ age 4 or 5, to experience a disciplined art like ballet. I also wonder how she ""can 'garuntee' that any child would do better elsewhere.""
Some of her information is just wrong. Yes, in the ballet tradition, PNB does have a uniform & hair must be in a bun. However, there is NO class for 4-7 year olds during the school year. 4 year olds are in ""Tots,"" 5-6 year olds in ""Creative Movement"" & 7 year olds in ""Pre-Ballet."" Kids do NOT need to dress and undress there; students (tots thru teens) must arrive & depart wearing street clothes, not dancewear, but this is simply because they don't want a lot of little girls in leotards outside attracting weirdos. Most parents of little ones simply put street clothes over the dancewear. Not sure why that’s a big problem for bluebudgie.
""Body dysmorphia?"" Really? Yes, PNB allows skinny kids to take ballet classes. Also chubby & average kids. What does that prove?
I do agree that the parking spaces are WAY too tiny & I've personally complained to the property manager about it. I don't think PNB as tenant can do much about that. Their neighbor 3-2-1-Bounce has the same problem.
Pros: One of the top ballet schools in the U.S.
Cons: Obviously not for everyone
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