Pointe Program

Pointe Program Information

Both our Pre-Pointe and Pointe Program are developed in accordance with the pointe work criteria and guidelines provided by the orthopedics department at Washington University as well as delivered in a safe and appropriate manner with our curriculum. We do not place ANY student under the age of 11 on pointe.

General Information
An instructor and studio owner (if not the same person) will evaluate each student individually to begin en pointe. Students must have completed at least 1 year of pre-pointe and meet several other requirements in addition to passing a pointe screening assessment.
Pointe students must enroll in the Dance Conditioning class for the major part of their pointe training. Students must enroll in at least 1 ballet technique class AND modern/contemporary. Students must be able to arrive 10 minutes prior to their ballet technique class to warm up as they may wear pointe shoes for portions of their ballet technique class.

Student must be 12 or older (we are very strict about this)
Must have 4-5 consecutive years of ballet training
Must come to their technique classes at least 2x a week (missed classes will result in not be able to wear pointe shoes that week or be disenrolled from the program)
Must have taken the pre-pointe class and meet poine assessment criteria in the areas of posture, technical performance, and other fitness requirements to be successful in pointe
Criteria in the assessment includes but is not limited to:
1. Be able to hold their turn-out while dancing
2. Proper alignment, foot/leg strength, and flexibility in feet
3. Use Plie while dancing
4. Keep the heels forward toward the big toe (no sickling)
5. Pointing their feet and ankles
6. Be able to do 24 releves in the center without ankles wiggling. Releves are excellent for building up calf muscle strength, which is vital for pointe work. The student must also go up as high on half pointe as she can, since pointe work demands this ability. A student who keeps her heels very low to the ground is not preparing her calf muscles adequately and will not have the strength for pointe work.
7. Be able to hold a passé balance on demi pointe
8. Excellent stamina and endurance to complete a whole class
9. Excellent body awareness and the ability to distinguish between pain and discomfort

Additional Information:

Beginning pointe students will be asked to leave their shoes at the studio for the first 3 months of their training.
If a student is not ready for pointe after evaluation in May, they must re-take pre-pointe
If a student is coming from another studio and already on pointe, they will be evaluated in pointe and redirected as necessary. Students MUST be evaluated before enrollment into pointe.
If a student is transferring from another studio and was “going to be placed on pointe”, the student will be sent to Pre-Pointe first and then on to pointe once the instructor conducts the student's assessment for pointe
Pointe shoes and accessories for pointe work can be costly. We recommend budgeting carefully so that each student will be able to purchase everything they need to safely dance en pointe and remain in the program as they desire.
Students will not permitted to take extensive breaks from dancing in order to remain in their pointe shoes. Students should plan to take classes over the summer to maintain their technique and strength. This is for the safety of the student.