It has been a long-standing goal of the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education to educate, inspire, and reach out to youth who may not otherwise be exposed to dance. Through strong partnerships with Parklane Elementary School, Maynard H. Jackson High School, Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy, Charles R. Drew Charter School, West End Performing Arts Center, City of Refuge, The Salvation Army Ray & Joan KROC Corps Community Center, the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, and Utopian Academy of the Arts, the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education was able to do just that by establishing the Centre Dance in-school program. The Centre Dance in-school program integrates dance classes into the standard academic curriculum, using before, during, and after-school programs. This approach provides an alternative learning environment to encourage students’ self-expression and social awareness, while enriching each school day.
Students are able to experience many types of dance, including ballet, jazz, modern, and hip-hop. Teachers of students who participate in the Centre Dance in-school program have noticed positive changes in attendance, behavior, and academic performance, as well as a growth in confidence. The Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education and the Centre Dance in-school program have been awarded Fulton County Schools’ Prestigious Partner Award by Parklane Elementary along with five Blue Ribbon Awards. This is the highest award for partnership given by the school system and recognizes organizations that have made unique and lasting impacts on the school, are active parts of the school community, and show deep interest in the success of the school.
The Centre Dance in-school program is in its twenty-fifth year at Parklane Elementary, fourth year at the Michael R. Hollis Innovation Academy, twenty-third year at West End Performing Arts Center, and in its fifteenth year at Maynard Jackson High School.
For additional information regarding Centre Dance, contact Diane Caroll, Community Partnerships Director, at 404.873.5811 x1102 or dsales@atlantaballet.com.