CDA is a great school that has grown since we've started. I love the ambiance, it is clean, the instructors (we've encountered) have been kind, and my daughter has definitely increased her dancing skills since her start. While we look forward to continuing our time at CDA, the school could do better with a few things.
What could be better...
- be selective with the students who can join the school. I don't say this to mean discrimination. I mean this to say... not all girls want to dance. It's their parents who want them to dance. The girls get in the class and are disruptive and take away from the lessons.
- enforce the rules you have posted throughout the halls. If observation rooms are to be quiet, then enforce that.
- the front desk staff are polite. However, they should also be knowledgeable and helpful. I have left on many occasions, not getting the answers to the questions being asked. Why wouldn't the front desk be able to help a parent with identifying classes?
- email is NOT the only form of communication. When do parents have time to chat with the instructor? Quick questions...seems like parents only get that opportunity if their kid is the one acting up.
- the classes are getting larger, not sure if that is on purpose, or if people are making up missed days, but the classes should be capped. The dance rooms aren't that big, and given the instructor/dancer ratio... it only leads to more playing in the class vs. actual learning.
- I can not say that in the time that we have been at the school, that I have ever met the owner. It would be nice if she would make her self known and dedicate one week to being available each day.
All in all, I think the school wants to give off a homey vibe, which they very well do. But the business side that is very on top of payments does not align. When you pay for something, there is an expectation of service, and generally, that is not the laid back/passive approach.
To be clear:
- larger classes, should have two instructors that are able to redirect behavior. Or disruptive dancers should be dismissed from the class
- dancer uniform should be enforced (no ponytails, jewelry, etc)
- staff should monitor the halls for disruptive parents and guardians (asking them to step out with their sreaming siblings, etc)
-offer time for the instructor to have a quick(5 min) convo with parents at some point so they know how their child is doing or what they should work on.
- where is the dancer discipline? Even at the younger ages, you can set a standard to be followed.
Recommended school, but would love to see standards and expectations that are higher. read more