Dancing Classrooms

Pacific Ballroom Dance (PBD) is the only provider of Dancing Classrooms in the Pacific Northwest, and is coordinator for Dancing Classrooms Greater Seattle, (http://dancingclassroomsseattle.com/) Dancing Classrooms is a program available to fifth grade public school students before and after school formats and follows the nationally recognized Dancing Classrooms NYC (http://www.dancingclassrooms.com/National Network). PBD is currently providing Dancing Classrooms to 360 students in 12 classrooms at five Auburn area schools- several in rural communities where participating schools experience free and reduced lunch rates as high as 63% and average 47% overall. Each school's fifth graders receive 10 weeks of classes, two times per week for 45 minutes, during physical education or after school. Classroom format over the 10 weeks includes learning Merengue, Fox Trot, Tango, Waltz, and Swing. At the end of each 10 week session a "Colors of the Rainbow" competition between Dancing Classrooms participant schools occurs. Inter-school competition is fierce yet good-humored, and every school team goes home with a trophy.
The concept is extremely attractive to schools because in addition to having the opportunity to experience ballroom dance with professional teaching artists, the curriculum meets a majority of arts and physical fitness goals for fifth graders in the Washington State Essential Learning Standards, and helps address the systemic decline in arts education as a priority in our state schools. Goals:
1) Development of poise, self-confidence, and social skills;
2) Self discipline through practice and routine, responsibility as part of a team, and shared goal setting;
3) Appreciation and understanding of music, rhythm, and tempo;
4) Mutual respect and sportsmanship in competitive situations; and
5) Increased physical fitness, balance, and economics/fluidity of movement.
Building social awareness, confidence, self-esteem, and physical fitness are the guiding principles of Dancing Classrooms, and not to produce the next generation of "Dancing with the Stars." Cost for Dancing Classrooms is $1,500 per classroom for each 10-week session, and the actual cost to PBD is $3,000 per classroom - which makes support from individuals, corporations and foundations so critical to our program. Schools involved are generally from low income, rural schools where high-caliber arts opportunities are limited. Dougherty funding will be applied directly to teaching artist compensation to make Dancing Classrooms available to a wider group of underserved schools at an affordable cost.
Pacific Ballroom Dance is well positioned and qualified to conduct current Dancing Classrooms Programs and support expansion throughout the region. What started as a small club of a dozen students nearly 20 years ago has become a thriving nonprofit dance education studio based in Auburn, Washington. PBD's 5,000 square foot facility is located 30 minutes/28 miles south of Seattle, and 20 minutes/14 miles north of Tacoma. Today, PBD serves more than 680 students annually from age 10 -18 from throughout the Puget Sound area, which includes several rural and under served counties. PBD does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, or economic condition. PBD is proud of its efforts and success with students of varying abilities, and employs the work of more than 100 volunteers.
Pacific Ballroom Dance is comprised of three programs or projects. This includes:
1) An Academy for multi-level basic skills training;
2) A Performing Company comprised of five teams of Academy-trained students grades 4-12 who perform throughout the Puget Sound region; and
3) Dancing Classrooms.

Assessment of our organizational success is based on both quantitative and qualitative elements based on input from students, teachers, parents, professional-dance organization officials/evaluators.

Specifically, Dancing Classrooms is the most formalized, where students complete letters, essays, poetry and artwork about their experience. Principals also complete surveys at the end of each session, answering questions relating to the impact and value of Dancing Classrooms.

"I LOVE to dance in our class. It is really FUN! I hope that when we are done with the class I can teach my younger friends how to dance. I would DEFINITELY go to dance class every day if I could" - Dancing Classrooms Student, 5th grade

"In my estimation, the Dancing Classrooms program offers many elements that address the needs of the whole child. It offers students the opportunity to learn and apply social skills within a real life, experiential context. It provides students with role models who are passionate about their work, living examples of how hard work translates into success. It promotes positive peer interactions and respectful behaviors." - Andrew Song, Principal - Ridgewood Elementary School