Top 10 Best International Dance Schools

Have you wondered what the best dance schools in the world are? Well here is your list. If you disagree with something just vote!
The Top Ten
1 The Royal Ballet School

Absolutely phenomenal teaching. I excelled more than I had ever hoped whilst studying, attending and learning here. Gives great opportunities for young dancers with high potential to succeed and become world renowned dancers in the future.

The Royal Ballet School is a division of the Royal Ballet Company, based in London. The school provides rigorous classical ballet training, in hopes to place graduates in famed ballet companies worldwide.

If you guys weren't truly the best dance company then why would you be known as the top 10. You guys surely do have a good dance company that I would like to visit sooner or later. Amazing dance school.

2 Canada's National Ballet School

Absolutely exceptional. My daughter is blessed to attend this institution. The buildings are modern and beautiful and the studios are state of the art. The SI is the audition for full time acceptance so it is NOT a "money maker". One only gets in if being considered for full time. Students come from around the world and the school sits on judges panel at top comps (YAGP, Prix, etc), so students are also top prize winners from prestigious comps. Younger grades have performing opportunities with National Ballet of Canada in The Nutcracker. The teachers are exceptional and the academics and social environment excellent. This is one of the very very best.

Underrated, as one would expect in an obviously-USA-biased list. The comprehensive and incomparable packaging of residence, academics, professional training and state-of-the-art facilities makes this institution a world leader worthy of consideration of any suitably talented young dancer. The only negative I ever see is from sour-grapes types that didn't make it in or through their extremely exigent Professional Ballet Program.

3 Bolshoi Ballet Academy

My grandmother studied at the Bolshoi since she was 12. She became a principal dancers and started touring around the world at 19 years old. She use to be a teacher until 60 and retired. She help me get into vaganova ballet academy and I got accepted at 11 years old! Best grandma ever!

I hope my english is correct

The Russian schools and performing companies are the best but you have omitted the best one, the Kirov (or more properly the Mariinsky) of St. Petersburg. It is where Baryshnikov, Nureyev, Pavlova and Nijinsky all originated. Bolshoi in Moscow is next, then The Royal Ballet (London) and probably the New York companies are next or one or two further down.

Dating back to 1776, The Bolshoi Ballet Academy is one of the oldest and best ballet companies in the world. The theater is the parent company of The Bolshoi Ballet Academy, a world-leading school of ballet.

4 Paris Opéra Ballet School

The "Ecole de l'Opera National de Paris" is the oldest dance school in the world. To be accepted in the school is incredibly hard and it is known to be the school "that crushes the weak". It would be impossible for students to graduate from there without being absolutely mind-blowing dancers. You can recognize them in 5 seconds if you see them dancing. The Opera National de Paris is not the 7th best school in the world, it's THE BEST! (followed by the Russians) Come on! Juilliard before the POB? Ugh

What the hell? Of course Paris Opéra Ballet School is first, there is no doubt in that. It was created by Louis XIV, the foundator of ballet. Compared to that, American ballet school royal ballet etc or just a joke. The Paris Opéra Ballet School is not really opened to medias in contrary of those other schools that's why it's not well-known. Just watch a documentary and cultivate yourself.

5 Australian Ballet School

Australian ballet school is in my opinion one of the very best dance schools in the world. From the costumes to the long hours that the dances put in to produce such wonderful performances it really is quite amazing.
As well as nearly all the best ballet schools in the world the Australian ballet school is quite hard to get in to, as they only except the best of the best. Overall I definitely believe that Australian ballet school is one of the very best school to teach ballet in the world

I study at the Australian Ballet School and it has been an amazing experience, we have teachers from all over the world, including ex Mariinsky principals, and a very authentic Australian style. It is relatively new, with its 50th anniversary this year in 2014, but has already made a name for itself and stands quite close to the best European schools.

By far the very best dance school in Australia, and practically the world. This school definitely belongs at the top!

6 The English National Ballet

The English National Ballet is a classical ballet company founded by Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin and based at Markova House in South Kensington, London, England. Along with the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet, it is one of the four major ballet companies in Great Britain.

My sister has been here before!

7 Abby Lee Dance Company

The teacher works extremely hard to give her pupils the best start in a dance career and to have the consistency and strict code of practice is rare to see. The moms who embrace this for their children should count it a privilege to be part of something that changes youngsters lives for the better giving them a sense of direction and understanding.

ALDC is an amazing dance company with amazing girls. They work so hard and they deserve every single award and win they get. I get it. It must be hard with the mom drama, but hey. Dancing is worth it. I love you girls and your a huge inspiration to me. I hope the hate against you girls stop. Your amazing, beautiful, and talented.

It's seems like a wonderful company as well as the fact that Abby Lee Miller produced many sucessful dancers. She prepares her dancers for the harsh world of dance.

8 Joffrey Academy of Dance

Joffrey Academy of dance is not only one of the most famous ballet school because popular people like Chloe from Dance Moms is in there. It also because the teachers at this ballet school have a high quality dance citizenship and are very good demonstrators as well. They don't have many performances because they practise well and when they're in a competition they sure do place in the top 3.

Our family has loved the experience of our daughters attending Joffrey Academy of Dance, Chicago, Summer Intensives! Thank you, Joffrey, for the excellent training and overall positive experience!

The Joffrey Academy of Dance Chicago has an excellent training program. My daughter has really excelled in her dance and we have been very happy with the professional way the school is run.

9 The Juilliard School

Somewhere around August Juilliard students came to Africa Botswana to showcase their talent at Maruapula school. I am a student there. I have been dancing since I was 5. I'm 14 now and I've never given up. I'm a contemporary and hiphop animation dancer but I'd like to learn more dance styles. They've inspirede to keep dancing minding my knee injuries. Going to Juilliard Academy would be a dream come true. My mission in life is to visit there when I'm 16 hopefully.

The Juilliard School has become a historical benchmark in performing arts. This New York City school produces big-name dancers and performers, including Siena Cherson Sigel and Paul Taylor. The school features precollege and college divisions in dance genres ranging from modern, tap, jazz, contemporary and more.

I am 16 and live in the uk, it would be amazing if anyone had the opportunity to go there, if I lived in america I would definitely choose this school over any. I have done ballet classes when I was little and am now self taught mainly.

10 American Ballet Theatre

I love American Ballet Theater. I think this should be near the top. It is definitely one of the best ballet schools at least in America. I am performing with them and doing a Summer Program. Personally, I think ABT is one of the best ones in America because it doesn't just like one certain body type. They welcome in all different types of bodies.

In New York City, the American Ballet Theatre offers a premier dance technique education program. Known for its Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School's preprofessional programs, this school breeds the best dancers in the world.

They don't care if you are not classic skinny dancer. They teach amazing technique and bring people to amazing levels in the dance world.

The Contenders
11 School of American Ballet

The School of American Ballet is finest ballet school in the United States. More top dancers, choreographers, and ballet masters have come out of this school than any other school in the US. This school is one of the finest in the world. I do not understand your ranking.

SAB should be #1! They are much better than any other American school!

SAB is way better than ABT and especially Joffrey. Unlike ABT, SAB actually cares about who they accept instead of just money. And Joffrey has gone way down hill.

12 Vaganova Ballet Academy

Definitely the top ballet school in the world. This list is a complete joke. Nearly every famous ballet dancer has come through Vaganova, including Nureyev, Nijinsky and the fabulous Anna Pavlova. Vaganova IS ballet. To those looking at this, ignore this fake (American) list. Most American ballerinas would be rejected at the Vaganova. PS: Who cares what Americans think anyway!

I agree with the others, I am not sure why this is not even in the top 3. Winning admission is itself a challenge, but the best ballet dancers in the world's best ballet country have gone here.

Not a question it is the best school in the world all of these other schools base their curriculum off of the vaganova academy. They also feed in to the best theatre in the world the Mariinsky

13 Boston Ballet School

Boston Ballet teaches ballet students to fit into the new generation of dancing. Students work hard with amazing, talented teachers, and have three beautiful studios. The Boston Ballet's company is breath taking, and hard working people, whom inspire and nurture young dancers to reach for their dreams.If your searching for a school to encourage, support, and challenge your dancer to become one of the greats, come to Boston Ballet.

Boston Ballet School is one of the best ballet schools in America... in my opinion. They develop and nurture well rounded technically sound dancers while fostering a love of dance and a real appreciation of the arts. BBS also gives their students the opportunity to audition and perform alongside professional dancers in Mikko Nissinen's yearly production of the Nutcracker.

With renowned visiting instructors and absolutely amazing facilities, Boston Ballet School draws in talent from around the world. There is no better place than Boston for education and that holds true for Ballet.

14 Teatro alla Scala Academy
15 Royal Winnipeg Ballet School

I've so far only been to the royal Winnipeg ballet once, for the 2015 two week dance intensive. By the end of the program, I felt like it became my second home. The counselors were amazing, the staff was excellent and the teachers were great and supportive. It was a very nice environment and they really care about you. There was even a doctor and Physio if you were sick or hurt. I went home with a lot of great new steps and knowledge. Great school and wonderful experience!

It's a great school! Been here for four years and I love it here!

Everyone is nice and you can learn a lot.

16 Kirov Academy of Ballet

Another American ballet company, the Kirov Academy of Ballet, is a school based in Washington, D.C. that offers part-time and full-time instruction to children from grades 7-12. The Academy is distinctive among professional dance schools in that it has its own in-house academic and residence program, fostering the growth of young ballerinas.

My daughter is attending here soon she is an amazing dancer and this is an amazing school... Should also be in top 3...

I am a student here and 75% of their dancers become principal dancers.

17 Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance

Europe's Leading Music and Dance school, internationally recognised and iconic for its unique and diverse training.

18 Elmhurst

Inspiring school, everyone is really hardworking and the teaching and facilities are incredible, as well as a good graduate output into ballet companies, needs to be higher!

World class teaching and facilities. Elmhurst ballet school is the associate school of Birmingham Royal Ballet.

The teachers are absolutely brilliant here!

19 The Ailey School

Ailey should be much further up on the list. Considering that many teachers from schools higher on the list, also teach at Ailey. An Ailey student gets the wealth of knowledge that those same top schools receive.

20 Ballet West

Ballet West should be higher on this list and is becoming very well known worldwide with Artistic Director Adam Skulte at the helm. The reality show "Break Pointe" has also brought the company into the forefront.
BW has a Pre-Professional Division & Trainee Division that moves students into Ballet West II and then the company. My daughter has trained with them for 4 years and has seen great progress.

I will be attending the summer program of 2015 and am seriously looking forward to it they have a great program.

Ballet west has an amazing summer program! This school deserves to be higher on the list!

21 Broadway Dance Center

This is Broadway put it higher but not higher than miss abby lee miller's dance academy

22 Canadian Dance Company

Yeah the best dancers from There are 1briar 2isaac 3devon. 4myles
5jessy

23 Brent Street Schools

Brent Street is an Australian performing arts school based in Sydney. The school started in 1986 and since then has expanded its range of styles to ballet, jazz, hip-hop, tap, musical theater, singing, drama and acrobatics. The school now holds modern dance studios, a theater and a recording studio and rehearsal space for their subsidiary program through the Talent Development High School. With more than 1, 000 students, this school is the premier dance studio in Australia.

24 San Francisco Ballet

San Francisco Ballet IS actually one of the best companies in the country.

Most people in the know consider SFB #3 behind Bolshoi and Royal. Odd it wasn't mentioned on this list.

I read and learned that the San Francisco Ballet was the first ballet companies in America

25 Princess Grace Academy

100 percent of the students of the 'Academie Princesse Grace' have a contract in a world renowing compagnie when they graduate. The school doesn't participate in competitions expect for Prix de Lausanne and so far each student that participated won a price. The training is very individual as they have just around 40 students each season between the ages of 13 and 19. The level of the school is increasing year by year and this is thanks to its very devoted and passionated director Luca Masala.

The Princess Grace Academy is an amazing ballet school in Monte-Carlo. It has world renowned teachers and has a great program for ballet dancers

How is PGA not in the top ten?! It's an amazing school with some of the most amazing ballet dancers in the world!

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