Upper Division
Ages 9-18
The Upper Division at St. Louis Ballet School is designed for students ages 9–18 who are ready to deepen their commitment to classical ballet training. Building on the foundation established in the Primary Division, this comprehensive program follows a progressive curriculum that emphasizes technical refinement, strength development, artistic expression, and versatility across dance genres.
Students in Levels 3 through 8 train in classical ballet with increasing intensity and discipline as they advance. Each level is carefully structured to challenge dancers appropriately while supporting their physical and artistic growth. In addition to ballet, students continue to develop their skills in complementary genres such as jazz, contemporary, hip hop, and tap, which enhance overall coordination, rhythm, and performance versatility.
As part of their training:
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Levels 3–4 serve as a bridge from the early stages of training into more focused classical ballet study. At these levels, students begin learning and applying more complex ballet terminology and dance skills, expanding on the foundational technique and musicality developed in earlier years.
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Level 5 students begin specific conditioning to prepare for pointe work, ensuring a safe and strong transition to this advanced technique.
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Levels 6–8 focus on refining artistry and technical mastery, with Level 8 representing our most advanced dancers, many of whom are preparing for pre-professional or collegiate-level programs.
Throughout the Upper Division, students work to develop the discipline, confidence, and artistry required for high-level performance, all within a nurturing and professional environment.
Classes
Ballet 3: Recommended 2 classes per week
Ballet 4: Recommended 3 classes per week
Ballet 5a and Ballet 5b: Recommended 3-4 classes per week
Ballet 6–8: Recommended 4–5 classes per week
Pointe: All students approved and takinig pointe need to register into at least 2 ballet technique classes sper week.
Jazz 3–8
Contemporary 3–8
Tap 3–8
Hip Hop
Conditioning for Level 7-8
2025-2026 Coming Soon
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Click here to begin completing a registration form.
Currently enrolled families should login to the Parent Portal
Calendar
2024-2025: Last day of classes June 14
2025-2026: Aug 11–June 13; The full year term consists of two semeters to complete a 44 week program.
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Semester I: August 11–January 10
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Semeter II: January 12–June 13
New registrations welcome all year if class openings are available.
Dress Code
Leotards:
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Ballet 3-4: Bright Pink Solid Leotard Ex: Energetics in Mulberry, Ex: Capezio or Bloch in Hot pink, Ex: Body Wrappers in Mulberry
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Ballet 5: Red Solid
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Ballet 6: Royal Blue Solid
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Ballet 7: Navy Blue Solid
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Ballet 8: Black Solid
Tights: Theatrical Pink tights or Skin-toned colored tights (all tights need to be mesh, include back seams, as well as have a convertible foot if transitioning to pointe work)
-Body Wrappers: C45 (Child), A45 (Adult)
-So Danca: TS96
-Mariia: MTB15C (Girls) MTB15 (Women) for Skin Toned Shades
Ballet Shoes*: Leather or canvas split sole ballet shoes in pink or skin tone shade, fit properly at a dance store
Jazz Shoes: Tan Shoe Bloch Pulse S0470L (Ladies), Bloch Pulse S0470G (Girls)
Tap Shoes: Black Oxford; Ex: So Danca TA28, TA04 or TA70 in black
Contemporary 3-4: Turners: Energetiks Pivot, Capezio Hinami Pirouette,
Contemporary 5-8: Tan/Flesh colored dance socks
EX: So Danca MD23, Energetiks Pivot Perfect, BlochSox, NO GRIPPERS ON THE BOTTOM
Hip Hop: Black leather high top sneaker; Suggested "Pop Tart Grid" High Top Sneakers Style No: PA153100
Additional Information for Pointe:
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Students enrolled in pointe classes may wear a short skirt for pointe class.
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Therabands: PrePointe should purchase a “light” theraband resistance band;
Pointe Intermediate–Advanced should purchase a “medium” theraband resistance band
Hair must be secured away from face, neat in a bun
*Ballet shoes must blend/match with skin-toned tights if choosing to wear skin-toned tights.
Tuition
Tuition Fees—St. Louis Ballet School is proud to offer exceptional training with a strong foundation in classical technique at an outstanding value.
Monthly Installments are paid via our convenient auto pay system to pay off the 44 week program.
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Enrollment is ongoing, and tuition is prorated based on the week your child begins class. Please contact us at school@stlouisballet.org for tuition information.
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There is a discount for siblings and enrolling in additional weekly classes.
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Tuition is non-refundable or non-transferrable. If you need to withdraw from your currently enrolled term, we requiire a 30 day notice; please email school@stlouisballet.org for assistance.
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Late fees are assessed if more than 7 days overdue.
SCHOOL LEVEL OVERVIEW
Ages are approximate and placements are performed during trial lessons for new students.
Current students are evaluated yearly and level placements are distributed at the end of the school term in June.
Ballet 1
This beginner class level is for students aged 6-7 with no or some experience in ballet.
Prerequisite: None
Classes to add at this level:
Tap 1/2, Jazz 1/2
Ballet 2
This beginner class level is for students aged 7-9 with one year of dance experience.
Prerequisite: Ballet 1
Classes to add at this level:
Tap 1/2, Jazz 1/2,
Hip Hop 2-3
Ballet 3
This intermediate beginning level class is for dancers aged 8-11 with at least two years of ballet.
Prerequisite: Ballet 2
Classes to add at this level: Tap 3/4 (Prerequisite Tap 1/2), Jazz 3, Contemporary 3, Hip Hop 2-3
Ballet 4
This advanced beginning level class is for dancers aged 9-12 with at least three years of ballet.
Prerequisite: Ballet 3
Classes to add at this level: Tap 3/4 (Prerequisite Tap 1/2), Jazz 4, Contemporary 4, Hip Hop 3-5
Ballet 5
This intermediate level class is for dancers aged 11-13 with at least four years of ballet.
Prerequisite: Ballet 4
In this level Pointe work begins.
Classes to add at this level: Tap 5/6 (Prerequisite Tap 3/4), Jazz 5, Contemporary 5, Hip Hop 3-5
Ballet 6
This beginning advanced level class is for dancers aged 13-15 with at least six years of ballet.
Prerequisite: Ballet 5 and at least one year of Pointe
Classes to add at this level: Tap 5/6 (Prerequisite Tap 3/4), Jazz 6, Contemporary 6, Hip Hop 6-8
Ballet 7
This advanced level class is for dancers aged 14-18 with at least seven years of ballet.
Prerequisite: Ballet 6 and at least three years of Pointe
Classes to add at this level: Tap 7/8 (Prerequisite Tap 5/6), Jazz 7, Contemporary 7, Hip Hop 6-8
Ballet 8
This advanced level class is for dancers aged 15-18 with at least eight years of ballet.
Prerequisite: Ballet 7 and at least four years of Pointe
Classes to add at this level: Tap 7/8 (Prerequisite Tap 5/6), Jazz 8, Contemporary 8, Hip Hop 6-8