Junior Summer Intensive

Session 1 | July 6-18
Session 2 | July 20-August 1
Ages 9-12 (as of July 1, 2025)

Junior Summer Intensive (JSI) is an enriching dance program for dedicated, young, ambitious ballet students seeking a higher level of commitment to their dance education. The program prepares students for more rigorous dance experiences in the future, such as Boston Ballet School’s Summer Dance Program, by introducing them to an intensive training environment. Hosted at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, the home of Boston Ballet School’s Professional Division, students also have the option to live in community with their peers and our team of Residential Counselors.

Learn more about Junior Summer Intensive below. Please email jsiadmin@bostonballetschool.org with any questions.

Curriculum

Under the instruction of Boston Ballet School faculty, students engage in daily technique classes where they strengthen and refine their aptitude for classical ballet. With a strong emphasis on the small, subtle fundamentals of technique, this two-week program lays a strong foundation for students to build upon as they return to their year-round training.

A key piece of JSI is a pre-pointe/pointe curriculum offered to all students, though each student’s engagement with this curriculum will be reflective of their ability, at the discretion of program faculty, and consistent with Boston Ballet School’s training approach. As part of our year-round Classical Ballet Program, students begin training en pointe at approximately 11 years old.

Lastly, students broaden their knowledge of dance styles through a diverse roster of supplemental classes including character, modern, and jazz. With five classes each day, students enjoy a robust and rewarding curriculum.

Residential Experience

Junior Summer Intensive is based at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, a private boarding school located in the picturesque town of Natick, Massachusetts. This quaint and quiet campus is ideal for building community. Students who choose to enroll in the program’s residential package will live in dorm rooms housing two or three students each. Roommate requests are welcome in advance of the program.

A team of Residential Counselors (RCs) – hired and trained directly by Boston Ballet School – acts as an essential resource for students during their two weeks in Natick. RCs organize activities for the group each night, with past activities including game nights, karaoke, and arts and crafts. RCs also supervise off-campus field trips during the weekend.

In addition to support from Residential Counselors, a Registered Nurse – provided by Walnut Hill – is available throughout the program. This individual oversees medication distribution, allergy management, and other health and wellness needs that may arise.

Session Schedules

Accepted students may choose between either of the two sessions, but students may only enroll in one session.

Session 1:

• Classes Monday, July 7 through Friday, July 18 (weekdays only)
• Residential students move in the afternoon of Sunday, July 6 and move out the evening of Friday, July 18.

Session 2:

• Classes Monday, July 21 through Friday, August 1 (weekdays only)
• Residential students move in the afternoon of Sunday, July 20 and move out the evening of Friday, August 1.

Tuition and Residential Fees:

Tuition: $2,100 (plus $70 registration fee)
Residential Fees: $2,440 (plus $200 activity fee)

Application Process

Acceptance to Junior Summer Intensive is by application only. Applications are now available through BOSTON BALLET SCHOOL’S DANCE APPLY.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

For accepted students, registration for either session will be available through May 23 or until a session reaches capacity.

APPLY NOW

For the application process, please be prepared to upload:

• A letter of recommendation from a current ballet faculty member.
  • If en pointe during the summer, this letter should include when the student began (or will begin) pointe training.
• A headshot (or any front-facing photo of the student’s face)
• A photo of the student in first position with preparatory arms
• A photo of the student in tendu a la seconde (en face) OR If en pointe this summer: a photo of the student in relevé first position in the center (at barre, if en pointe less than one year)
• If en pointe this summer: a photo of the student in relevé first position in the center (at barre, if en pointe less than one year)
• On the “Audition Uploads” page of the application, please disregard the option for a video submission. A video is not required, and you may leave this blank.

For photos, please refer to the tips below:

• Take photos head-on, rather than taking them in the mirror.
• Make sure the entire body is visible in the dance photos, so faculty can see full technique.
• Make sure the lighting is conducive to being seen well. For the best results, light sources should be positioned in front of a student, rather than behind.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the age requirement?
Students must be between the ages of 9 and 12 on July 1, 2025. This means students may be 8 years old at the time of application, but they must turn 9 by July 1.

What prior dance experience is suggested for Junior Summer Intensive?
Junior Summer Intensive is for students who have already been participating in classical ballet training and are familiar with the vocabulary associated with a standard technique class. For supplemental curriculum – character, modern, salsa, etc. – no experience is required, as these classes are meant to introduce students to a new dance vocabulary.

Is pointe part of the curriculum?
A key piece of JSI is a pre-pointe/pointe curriculum offered to all students. Whether a student will be focusing on pre-pointe or pointe, though, will be reflective of the student’s ability. Additionally, students will not be training en pointe this summer unless they have already begun pointework at their home studio. In the interest of student safety, all decisions around pointe training are at the discretion of program faculty and will be made in a manner consistent with Boston Ballet School’s training approach. As part of our year-round Classical Ballet Program, students begin training en pointe at approximately 11 years old.

Should 12-year-olds apply for Junior Summer Intensive or audition for Summer Dance Program?
As 12-year-olds are eligible for both Junior Summer Intensive and SUMMER DANCE PROGRAM, it is up to the individual family what their preference is. For guidance or for questions about the programs’ differences, please contact JSIADMIN@BOSTONBALLETSCHOOL.ORG.

Are there any differences between the two sessions?
In-studio curriculum will be the same for Sessions 1 and 2, but there may be small differences between the evening and weekend residential programs offered.

Are accepted students able to enroll in either session?
Yes, accepted students may enroll in either Session 1 or Session 2 while space remains. However, students may not participate in both sessions and may only enroll in one.

Are international students eligible to apply?
Junior Summer Intensive is not able to accept international students. All applicants must have valid US citizenship.

Is Financial Assistance available?
Yes. In the interest of making Junior Summer Intensive as inclusive as possible, we encourage all accepted students with financial concerns to apply for aid. To receive an application, please email JSIADMIN@BOSTONBALLETSCHOOL.ORG upon acceptance to the program. A completed application must be received by Sunday, June 1, and the student must have registered for the program and put down the initial deposit and registration fee. If we are unable to offer sufficient financial assistance, students may withdraw and get a full refund of their initial deposit.

Are merit scholarships available?
Merit scholarships are not available for Junior Summer Intensive.

Is there a meal plan provided?
The Dining Hall at Walnut Hill School for the Arts features a variety of nutritious meal options. Three meals a day are included for residential students, while commuter students are served lunch. The Dining Hall is extremely accommodating to allergies and dietary restrictions, and Dining Staff are glad to work with students and families to make sure plenty of options are available.

Do students have to live in the residence hall?
No. Students may choose to commute from home or find alternate housing on their own. If you choose to search for independent housing arrangements.

Can I request a specific roommate in the residence halls?
Yes, roommate requests will be collected in the spring. For roommate requests to be accommodated, students must mutually request each other. Please make sure to confirm plans with students you want to live with before submitting a roommate request. Those who do not request a specific roommate will be assigned to live with another student close to them in age. Roommates will be put in contact with one another a shortly before the start of the program, so they can begin developing a relationship in advance of move-in day.

What do students do in the evenings and on the weekends?
Each evening, between dinner and “lights out,” Residential Counselors host optional activities on campus. These are a great way for the JSI community to bond! Last year’s activities included scavenger hunts, game nights, talent shows, s’mores nights, craft nights, etc. On the weekends, all residential students go on off-campus field trips. Last year, students visited the New England Aquarium, participated in a Boston Duck Tour, and attended a performance by Cirque du Soleil.

Will parents be able to contact their child’s Residential Counselor?
While individual Residential Counselors cannot be contacted via their personal phone or email, there is a residential hotline monitored by JSI staff all day and evening. This is how parents can get put in touch with any member of the team.