DG PreK-8 Youth Programs
For High School Students, check out our Dance for Social Change page
Registration is CLOSED for our Prek-8 Youth programs!
For information about our future Prek-8 Programs, complete our Youth Programs Waiting List!
*Our Dancing Grounds app is for Adult Programs ONLY
Equitable Tuition Policy
Dancing Grounds is a nonprofit organization that operates its youth programs on a sliding scale basis. In other words, we ask all families to pay what they can within their means. The real cost of Dancing Grounds Youth Programming is $1,000 - 1,200 per child (depending on program). That includes compensating our excellent education staff and teachers and covering essential program costs. We work tirelessly to raise additional funds to cover the full program cost per child, bringing tuition to where it stands now and provide additional financial assistance.
Our financial aid program is a need-based and factors in household income, family size and the case-by-case situation of each family individually. We do not require the submission of any financial paperwork. We trust our families and rely on their honesty in communicating how much tuition they can afford to contribute to the program. Our general guidelines are as follows:
· 25% discount on tuition is provided to families who have multiple children enrolled in DG programs or other paid extracurricular activities.
· 50% discount on tuition is provided to single parent household or families with limited working capabilities.
· We occasionally provide full scholarships, but we reserve these for families with disabled, unemployed, or elderly heads of the household and other cases.
We will NEVER turn away a family due to lack of funds. Please do not hesitate to ask us for assistance if you need it!
Questions?
Covid Safety Precautions
Updated May 26th
Pre -Testing is no longer required for non-vaccinated students
Masks are optional for staff and students
If your child is sick, we ask that you do not send them to programming until they've received a COVID test with negative test results. If your child shows symptoms during camp, families are required to send back a negative test before the child returns to class. Disposable tests are always available at Dancing Grounds
In the event that a teacher, intern or student tests positive for COVID-19, all families will be notified immediately and classes will be canceled for the following class to allow families time to get tested before returning.
For teen programs, go to the Dance for Social Change page.
Overview of All Youth Programs
DG Kids and DG Tots
Our DG Tots (3-4 year old) and DG Kids (5-6 year old) program, students are introduced to dance technique, spatial awareness, and teamwork in an encouraging environment where they can express their unique creativity.
DG Youth Company (Ages 7-13)
DG Youth Company groups are for more advanced dancers to dive deeper into their training and performance opportunities in Hip Hop , Modern, and other forms.
Dance for Social Change
Dance for Social Change is youth leadership program where young artists develop choreographic skills, social and self-awareness, and tools for social justice organizing. The program culminates in the annual Dance for Social Change Festival. Participants can also apply to serve in a variety of paid internship roles with DG as teaching assistants, receptionists, and creative leaders.
DG Elite Feet Dance Krewe
An audition- based, hip hop group for our most dedicated students to showcase their work through the year. that performs more frequently at community events across the city. Elite Feet is open to members of DG Senior Company and Dance for Social Change.
Dancing Grounds Summer
Dancing Grounds Summer (DGS) is a four-week camp for beginner and intermediate dancers ages 8-13. The session includes training in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Hip Hop, African, dance composition, history, physical fitness and nutrition. The program is a "healthy food zone" with healthy lunches and snacks served daily. DGS culminates with city-wide tour of performances at New Orleans-area youth camps! Registration opens in April every year.
Workshops and Field Trips
Dancing Grounds offers workshops in Hip Hop, Creative Movement and other dance forms for children of all ages across the city. We have provided workshops for the Association for Conflict Resolution, Youth Empowerment Project, Sacred Heart Academy, French Quarter Festival, Bayou Boogaloo and more.