NDCurriculum FAQs

Not in the traditional sense. Our curriculum provides clear learning outcomes, developmental milestones, skill progressions and assessment standards, while giving teachers the professional freedom to design engaging classes that best suit their students.

A well-designed curriculum provides a clear pathway for learning. It ensures that skills are introduced in a logical sequence, aligned with each dancer's physical and cognitive development, so students build strong foundations before progressing to more advanced work.

A curriculum also supports teachers by providing clear learning outcomes and consistent standards, while giving students and parents confidence that progress is meaningful, measurable and appropriate for their stage of development.

At its best, a curriculum isn't about limiting creativity, it's about creating a shared framework that allows great teaching to flourish.

Our curriculum combines the artistry and discipline of classical ballet with modern research in child development, anatomy, sports science and psychology. Rather than focusing on memorising set exercises, we develop adaptable, resilient dancers who understand movement and progress safely through every stage of training.

Being evidence-informed means we combine the best available research with the traditions of classical ballet.

Our curriculum draws on research in child development, anatomy, sports science, psychology and motor learning to guide how dancers progress through each level. Rather than following tradition simply because "it's always been done that way," we continually ask how we can best support safe, effective and meaningful learning. We continually evaluate new evidence to ensure our training methods support safe, effective and meaningful learning. 

We believe the future of ballet education lies in respecting its rich heritage while embracing new knowledge that helps dancers thrive.

We believe great teaching requires both structure and flexibility. Our curriculum defines what students should learn through clear learning outcomes, skill progressions and assessment standards, but it doesn't prescribe every exercise or combination.

This allows teachers to use their professional judgement, creativity and expertise to design engaging classes that meet the needs of their students, while maintaining consistent educational standards across every Partner Studio.

Our curriculum is designed to evolve.

As new research emerges and we continue to gather feedback from Partner Studios, we regularly review and refine our resources, teacher materials and curriculum content. Updates are released through the member portal, ensuring studios always have access to the latest version of the curriculum.

We're committed to continuous improvement because education should never stand still.

Curriculum updates are delivered digitally through the member portal.

Whenever new resources, refinements, or improvements are released, Partner Studios automatically receive access as part of their membership, ensuring they always have the most up-to-date version of the curriculum.

Levels III–V represent one of the most important stages in a dancer's development. During these years, students build the technical, physical and artistic foundations that support more advanced ballet training.

Our curriculum intentionally provides a broad range of skills because this is when dancers begin connecting the building blocks they've developed in the earlier levels. Rather than rushing into advanced vocabulary, we focus on developing strength, coordination, alignment, musicality and movement quality alongside technical progression.

Teachers are not expected to teach every skill in every class. Instead, the curriculum provides a comprehensive framework that can be explored progressively throughout the year, allowing teachers to tailor their lessons to the needs and pace of their students.

Our goal isn't to teach more, it's to teach more purposefully.

The curriculum supports dancers from ages 3–18 across seven progressive levels. Whether students dance recreationally or aspire to a professional career, the curriculum provides a strong, healthy foundation for lifelong participation in ballet.

Absolutely.

While our curriculum provides a pathway into advanced training, it has been designed for every dancer, not just those pursuing a professional career.

Whether a student dances once a week or dreams of a career in ballet, they deserve high-quality education that supports healthy development, technical excellence and a lifelong love of dance.

Formal assessments begin at Level III.

Students in Petite Étoile and Junior Étoile focus on building strong foundations through progressive skill development, confidence and enjoyment before entering the formal assessment pathway.

This ensures children are developmentally ready to benefit from the assessment experience.

That being said, studios can choose to include Junior Étoile students in the masterclass experience if they would like, without receiving formal assessment, to gain experience.

Yes.

Students are placed according to their current knowledge, technical ability and developmental readiness rather than simply their age or previous syllabus.

Our curriculum is designed to support dancers from a variety of training backgrounds, allowing studios to place students where they are most likely to succeed.

We would suggest offering new students a trial class to assess which level suits them best.

We believe readiness is more important than timelines.

Teachers nominate students for assessment once they have consistently demonstrated the required skills and are prepared to succeed in the Masterclass Experience.

Students who are not yet nominated are encouraged to continue developing their skills and may still attend the Masterclass as a learning experience without completing the formal assessment.

Progression is based on demonstrated understanding and readiness rather than simply completing a period of time.

Once a student has developed the required skills and their teacher believes they are ready, they are nominated to participate in the Masterclass Assessment. Successful completion allows them to progress to the next curriculum level.

This ensures every dancer builds strong foundations before moving forward.

We believe meaningful learning takes time. Rather than rushing dancers through levels or introducing increasingly difficult vocabulary before strong foundations are established, our curriculum prioritises depth of understanding, quality of movement and long-term development.

Every dancer progresses at their own pace.

As a general guide, students will spend two years in each curriculum level, allowing them time to develop the technical, physical and artistic skills required before progressing.

However, progression is never based on time alone. Some students may be ready to progress sooner, while others may benefit from additional time to consolidate their learning. We believe strong foundations are far more valuable than rushing through levels.

Partner Studios receive access to our complete curriculum, teacher handbook, skill trees, assessment pathway, curriculum updates, member portal, and ongoing support.

As the curriculum continues to evolve, members will also gain access to an expanding library of teaching resources, videos, and teacher training opportunities.

Founding Partners are the studios that join us during the early stages of the curriculum's development.

In recognition of their support, Founding Partners receive exclusive lifetime benefits, including founding pricing, early access to new resources, and the opportunity to help shape the future direction of the curriculum through ongoing feedback and collaboration.

Partner Studio memberships are offered as an ongoing subscription, with the flexibility to renew or cancel in accordance with your membership terms.

We believe studios choose to stay because they value the curriculum, not because they're locked into a long-term contract.

Yes.

You may cancel your membership in accordance with your subscription terms. Access to the member portal, curriculum updates, and member-exclusive resources will remain available until the end of your current billing period.

Partner Studio membership provides access to our Masterclass Assessment pathway; however, assessments are charged separately on a per-student basis.

The assessment fee covers each student's participation in the Masterclass Experience, including instruction from a guest masterclass teacher, evaluation by our trained assessors, a comprehensive individual assessment report, and a certificate of achievement.

This approach ensures studios only pay for the students who choose to participate while allowing us to provide a meaningful, high-quality assessment experience for every dancer.

Absolutely. We believe great teachers shouldn't be limited by scripted lesson plans. Our curriculum defines what students should learn, not exactly how it must be taught. Allowing teachers to use their creativity, experience, and expertise while maintaining consistent standards.

Yes. We provide guidance and resources to help studios transition smoothly, with flexible implementation designed to support teachers, students and families throughout the process.

Every studio is different, so implementation can be tailored to suit your existing timetable and students.

Some studios choose to introduce the curriculum at the beginning of a new year, while others transition gradually over several terms. Our flexible framework allows teachers to integrate the curriculum in a way that best supports their students and teaching team.

Partner Studios receive access to a growing collection of resources designed to support both teachers and students.

All Partners receive the curriculum documents and skill trees which contain the assessment and skill criteria. They also get access to our assessment process, which includes certificates and reports for students. We have a growing video library and other downloaded resources available to all members as well. 

As our curriculum grows, so will our resource library.

Yes.

We believe supporting teachers is just as important as supporting students. As our curriculum continues to grow, Partner Studios will have access to professional development opportunities designed to expand teaching knowledge and confidence.

Topics may include anatomy, child development, motor learning, psychology, injury prevention and evidence-informed ballet education.

When you join as a Partner Studio, you're not simply purchasing a curriculum, you become part of an ongoing partnership.

We provide curriculum updates, implementation guidance, teaching resources and continued support to help your team feel confident delivering the curriculum. As we grow, we'll continue expanding our support through professional development and additional educational resources.

If anyone ever has questions, we’re only an email away.

Students participate in our Masterclass Experience rather than a traditional examination. During a class led by a guest teacher, assessors observe how students apply their skills, artistry and technique in unfamiliar exercises, providing a more authentic measure of learning than memorisation alone.

Because professional dancers don't succeed by performing one memorised class. They succeed by adapting, learning quickly, and applying their training in new situations. Our Masterclass Experience reflects these real-world skills while creating a more meaningful and supportive assessment environment.

Yes. To progress to the next curriculum level, students complete a Masterclass Assessment once their teacher determines they are developmentally and technically ready.

We believe assessment should reflect readiness rather than a fixed timeline. Teachers nominate students when they have consistently demonstrated the required skills and are prepared to succeed in the assessment environment.

Students who are not yet nominated are still encouraged to attend the Masterclass Experience. They gain valuable exposure to guest teaching, observe higher-level learning and continue developing toward future assessment, without the pressure of being formally assessed before they are ready.

The Masterclass Experience is our unique approach to assessment.

Rather than performing a rehearsed examination class, students participate in a masterclass led by a guest teacher while experienced assessors observe how they apply their skills in unfamiliar exercises and combinations.

This approach values adaptability, artistry, musicality and technical understanding, providing a more authentic reflection of a dancer's abilities.

NDC chooses assessors for their expertise, professionalism, and skill in offering constructive, development-oriented feedback that aids each dancer's progress. Before becoming an NDC Assessor, individuals undergo NDC training and participate in a minimum of two masterclasses as shadow-assessors.

Students who complete a formal assessment receive a comprehensive assessment report highlighting their strengths, areas for development and overall achievement, along with a certificate recognising their successful completion of the level.

Our reports are designed to guide future learning and celebrate genuine progress rather than simply assigning a mark, that’s why our reports do not have grades or numbered scores. We want students to take on the advice and continue striving to better their technique rather than get fixated on numbers and grades.

During the Masterclass Experience, assessors observe students throughout the class using clearly defined assessment criteria aligned with the curriculum's learning outcomes.

Each report provides meaningful feedback on the student's technical development, artistry and application of skills, giving both teachers and families practical insight into the dancer's progress.