In-School Partnerships
Partnering with schools and community organizations in Boston.
About the Program
BalletRox partners with schools and community organizations to provide Boston youth with dance classes. This year BalletRox is providing dance classes to 500 students through three community partners.
Our current partners are Mather, Conley and P.A Shaw Elementary
BPS Arts Expansion Fund at EdVestors
Funded in part by Boston Public Schools (BPS) Arts Expansion, a multi-year effort focusing on access, equity and quality arts learning for BPS students. The BPS Arts Expansion Fund, managed by EdVestors, is supported by the Barr Foundation, The Boston
Foundation, Katie and Paul Buttenwieser, The Klarman Family Foundation, Linde Family Foundation, and other individuals. BPS Arts Expansion is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Developing a program
When developing a program and schedule of classes for our partners, BalletRox works within the partner’s current curriculum to meet their needs. We provide instruction from highly qualified teachers whose identities reflect the communities served. BalletRoxs works with our community partners to develop a curriculum that reflects both organizations’ goals and to promote wellness through movement.
We evaluate classes throughout the year to ensure that teachers are supporting the students’ growth. We also provide teachers with the support needed to ensure that they have the resources to succeed. Each teacher has an assistant who serves as a liaison between our organization and the partners. Additionally, BalletRox’s executive director oversees program administration.
Community Partners
Our community partners have access to support from BalletRox. BalletRox is led by our Board of Directors. BalletRox employs dance teachers who provide dance instruction in our Studio Program and In-School Partnerships. Our staff reflects the diversity of BalletRox students as BalletRox is BIPOC and woman-led and 80% of staff are BIPOC.
Collaboration
Our In-School Partnerships collaborate with BalletRox because they do not have the resources to support their own dance programs. The majority of students in our In-School Partnerships are from low-income families and are students of color.
Our partners are located in highly diverse neighborhoods that have historically been underfunded and therefore they do not have the resources to fully cover our programmatic needs. BalletRox fundraises to meet the gap between what the community partner can pay and the actual cost.
Host BalletRox
Want to bring BalletRox to your school? Contact us today!
Lisa D. Kelleher
Program Manager
lisadkelleher@balletrox.info
