D A N C E

Formal curricular dance instruction officially begins in Grade 11, building upon foundational concepts introduced earlier in a student's education. In grades K–5, students are first exposed to movement and rhythm through general music classes, laying the groundwork for spatial awareness and creative expression.

IB Dance 

IB Dance is an expressive, studio-based curriculum that explores movement as a multifaceted art form across diverse cultural and historical contexts. Grounded in both practical and theoretical study, the course develops technical skill, choreographic composition, and critical analysis. Over the two-year sequence, students experiment with movement using Laban Movement Analysis, compose original works with accompanying analytical statements, perform recorded pieces, and author a World Dance Investigation comparing familiar and unfamiliar dance traditions. This is a full two-year program; students must enter the course in Grade 11 and complete it in Grade 12 to earn IB Higher Level (HL) credit. Completing IB Dance satisfies the Group 6 (Arts) subject requirement for IB Diploma candidates and also fulfills New York State Physical Education requirements.