Dance study
This program provides students with professional technical and artistic training in parallel with their studies. It enables students to improve their technical knowledge of dance and to confidently envisage a job in the profession.
This cycle is intended for middle and high school students from the 6th grade to the 12th grade.
This training program allows the future dancer to develop his or her artistic identity and to acquire a solid technique that will facilitate his or her professional integration. The exceptional conditions offered by the ACM (classes of 15 students maximum, classes and training in the morning, individual support, a panel of different professionals: ballet master, choreographers, dancers…) mean the students reach a level of autonomy and maturity that enables them to gradually go beyond the bounds of the school environment and work towards building a solid project.
This program prepares the students, for, among other things:
- national and international classical and contemporary competitions
- application for major international schools (Paris Opera, Royal Ballet – London , La Scala – Milan, John Crancko – Stuttgart etc…)
- application for the academy’s cursus C for dancers
- application for the D.E. (Dance Teacher’s State Diploma) and the E.A.T. (Technical Aptitude Examination).
Students in this program can be day students or boarders.
Based on the non-exhaustive list below, the ACM defines teaching content to best serve the student’s project:
Average number of hours per week of artistic tuition (excluding schooling).
| Sujects | Hourly |
| Classical dance, pointe, pas de deux, repertoire | 15 and 18 hours |
| Contemporary dance | 3 and 6.30 hours |
| Character dance | 1.30 hours |
| Physical preparation +PBT | 2.30 to 5 hours |
| Theory lessons | 1 and 2 hours |
Study
A New Schedule for the New School Year: Dance in the Morning, Academics in the Afternoon
Starting next school year, the Carole Massoutié Academy is evolving to offer students an even more coherent, calm, and high-performing framework: we are partnering with an independent private school (“hors contrat”) that will deliver academic classes directly on-site at the Academy.
In practical terms:
– Morning: dance classes (practice, technique, rehearsals, artistic preparation)
– Afternoon: academic classes (French, mathematics, history-geography, languages, etc.), in a format adapted to a dancer’s rhythm
This schedule has been designed to respect students’ energy and concentration: dance—requiring physical freshness and mental availability—takes place at the best time of day, while afternoons are dedicated to a structured and closely monitored academic program.
This new pathway is open to:
- – middle school students, from Year 7 to Year 10 (French system: 6e to 3e);
– middle school students, from Year 7 to Year 10 (French system: 6e to 3e);
The goal is to allow each student to build an ambitious artistic project while following a complete and adaptable academic curriculum, in line with their educational choices.
What is an “hors contrat” school?
An “hors contrat” school is a private school that is not bound to the French State through an association contract. This means:
– greater pedagogical freedom (methods, organization, pace),
– while still operating within the legal framework: teaching is subject to obligations and may be inspected to ensure, in particular, that essential learning objectives are being met and that student safety and protection rules are respected.
The aim: to offer a demanding and effective academic program, with a more flexible organization that is better suited to an artistic pathway.
A Rhythm Aligned with Major International Institutions
The volume and structure of dance classes—and the overall balance between dance training and academics—follow an approach comparable to that of major reference institutions, such as:
– the Paris National Opera
– Teatro alla Scala
– The Royal Ballet
This approach provides a serious, progressive, and structured training environment, consistent with the expectations of a pre-professional pathway, while supporting academic balance and success.
Benefits for Our Students (and Families)
1) A smarter schedule
By placing dance in the morning and academics in the afternoon, students benefit from:
– better recovery,
– a more stable rhythm,
– a clearer day (less commuting, fewer tiring split schedules).
2) A strong academic program truly compatible with an artistic project
This structure makes it possible to combine high-level dance training with academic learning through:
– regular follow-up,
– a structured work framework,
– guided progression.
3) Added value: a global, coherent, and reassuring project
Our Academy strengthens its commitment: training artists—without ever sacrificing academic future opportunities.
We want every student to:
– aim for excellence in dance,
– while maintaining strong academic foundations.
Dance Remains at the Heart of the Project
Dance remains the priority and identity of our Academy: artistic standards, technical progress, stage work, repertoire, and support all remain central to the pathway.
But we are making an important choice: a lasting artistic project is one that protects the student—and that also involves a serious academic education.
A Clear Direction: Opening Doors, Never Closing Them
We know that not every student will necessarily make dance their profession—and that is perfectly normal.
That is precisely why this new structure is such an advantage:
– If the student becomes a professional: they benefit from an optimized schedule and academic support compatible with the intensity of training.
– If the student changes direction: they keep a solid education, strong skills, and the ability to move toward other projects (studies, training programs, exams, etc.).
Our ambition is to help each student grow through dance with a strong academic safety net and a long-term vision.
In Practice
Academic classes will be delivered on-site at the Academy by the partner school.
The day is organized to support performance, motivation, and well-being.
Families benefit from a clear framework: Dance + School, in one place, with educational continuity.
Want to Learn More?
We will be happy to present:
– the weekly schedule,
– the teaching approach,
– and enrollment procedures.
📩 Contact us for full information and to arrange a meeting: +33 6 09 01 12 72.