My child enrolled in the summer dance camp and it's our first visit there…read more I registered her online and splurged on this class even though it's over my budget for summer camps because I thought my daughter would love the dance class. On the first day on our very first visit, I arrive 15 min before the class starts and the only person at the front desk is in the phone facing sideways. There was someone else already waiting to be helped and a few minutes go by without this lady ever looking over to say...anything. I know she can see us. We just waited till another lady finally came along to sign us in. When it wasn't turn, I'm told to fill out a form. That's pretty standard but then she proceeded to tell me that my 6 year old needs to "sign" the code of conduct. Uh... maybe the instructor should go over discipline and code of conduct in their class rather than have a 1st grader (read and) sign any form of contract? I mean, she's smart but don't believe she could read all of it on her own so what's the point of having a child sign? THEN, "So, the before care is $35". Huh? The class STARTS at 8:30. I wait to be signed in because some woman is on the phone ignoring us customers. Then 15 min till the START of the class, if I wanted to drop her off, it's ADDITIONAL $35 on top of $225 for the week if dance camp. For 8am to 8:30. I needed to get out of there because I had to get to work so just had her charge my card but even when I went back to the sign up page, it doesn't say anything about costing whopping $35 for 30 minuets window of BEFORE CARE, where the kids just sit in the lobby coloring. Whatever. First and last time, I tell myself. Here's the big kicker. As I'm used to showing my ID and signing her out so I told them that I need to add someone to the pick up list. The answer she gave me just threw me off completely. "We don't really have a set procedure." I asked, how are you going to make sure that you don't release my child to just anyone? and their answer was "We get to know the kids and parents. You can tell us who you don't want to release your child to." OMG. I was so ticked off when I left I had to really find a way to chill out before I got to work so I don't turn into a dragon lady at my work! When I arrived at pick up time (made sure I'm not late a minute because they would have costed me another $35 for 30 minutes of AFTER CARE. Oh heck no!! There was a lady standing by the door with a clipboard but I signed nothing. I'm sure she remembered me but does she correctly remember every child's parents? Now for the classes, my daughter has been enjoying the classes and she says the instructors are nice so at least for that, I'm glad. So I'm giving extra star for the lessons to be fair. I just have hard time being ok with the 30 minutes before and after care they charge $35 per am/pm when I literally checked her in 10 minutes till class starts. I don't want her to be late and miss anything. How do they decide? I didn't hear her charge the other parent. So if I came in at 8:20, would she still had me pay? What about after care? How many minutes do they give me after 4 before they charge? It just doesn't make sense. I feel ripped off. $225 for one week is a splurge for me. Now it's $260 and it's not like it comes with meals. I still pack her lunch & snacks & water bottle every day. I don't think I'll be back after this week. That's a disappointment for both.

There's a lot more going on at Keshet than I know. A whole lot more. I know that my three year-old…read moreis absolutely boisterous about her dance class here; she takes it home, actually, and can often be found in our living room donning a ballerina costume, twirling on the carpet. I've known some professional dancers who've worked with the company in the past, they were absolutely incredible. I've seen a couple of Keshet performances and found them to be sort of nuanced modern, gorgeous and not overdone. But I've only recently learned of the nonprofit, community connected efforts of Keshet, and these earn 'em a fifth star. Amongst their various programs, I'm most impressed with the efforts that bring dance to low-income, at-risk, homeless and incarcerated youth. They also bring dance to the disabled. Really impressive. With programs for the young, old and in-between, Keshet's definitely one of the most important arts organizations in ABQ. The Center for the Arts is currently under construction; my daughter's class is currently being taught in a temporary structure adjacent to the building. But once the construction is over, it's looking like this will be a fantastic destination for the performing arts.

Major admission prior to the review, here: my wife teaches at this school. She's finishing her…read morefirst year as a Special Educator. So there's that. And obviously the rating must be balanced by this admission. But the place deserves a solid review, and I'm approaching this on two fronts: 1) the reputation of the school at large and 2) my perceptions of the learning environment and kids therein. Albuquerque has a storied, especially difficult history with public school education. As one of the poorest states in the Union (we're always battling Mississippi for that crown), our educational system tends to take the brunt of this unfortunate reality. I'll leave it at that. If you're new to the city, be especially wary of the system you plan to enroll your child in. We have major issues. Charter schools aren't the perfect solution, by any means, but they're a great start. Most Charters, if not all, choose attendees via a lottery system since they receive far more applicants than they have room to receive. This is a sad truth, and definitely not what our Founding Fathers envisioned regarding universal public education. Our kid won out on the lottery. She attends another stellar Charter. But it isn't fair. In my personal view, the worth of any populace is best measured by the education of their citizenry. Last I checked the great U.S. of A. was ranked 13th, behind Cuba, if you can believe it. Locals call this place PAPA, rightly so. It's an endearing institution that mentors students in the arts and sciences with a critical eye toward the creative spirit. I've walked the "halls" and witnessed the collective talents of these kids, they're rather extraordinary. Dancers, science geeks and guitarists, singers and mathematicians, all of these kids manifest a fabulous energy that keeps them connected with education, which should be the goal in the first place. Great, amazing kids. So there's my second point. The first point, regarding the reputation, plays out in state-wide rankings. PAPA typically scores at the very top of the Charter school rankings on a yearly basis, as measured by test scores, attendance, and post-graduate success. It's one of the best. If not The Best. So enroll your kid in the lottery, take a tour, and let one of the students tell you why PAPA rocks. Charter schools aren't the ultimate solution; great public schools are. But while we work this stupidity out, schools like this make the grade. (One star off for the facility itself. At this time, it's all portable classrooms; I know they're searching for a new home, but for the moment the place is quirky, just like the kids that attend it.)

I fit in perfectly , and I am surrounded by creative and innovative people. The education I am…read morereceiving is amazing. The performing arts classes are really amazing, no other school I have ever seen or been to has such an amazing performing arts program! I love this school and never plan on leaving and would highly recommend this school to aspiring artists!

Fishback Studio has been like a second home to me for years - I cannot thank them enough for all…read morethe positive experiences I've had through their dance training. I attended all styles of classes growing up, and the training was not only so much fun, but also increased my confidence, poise, work ethic, and sense of self as I grew from childhood to teenage years. Fishback teachers offer high level expertise in dance training as well as a positive environment for learning. The studio is a wonderful environment for all ages - I've recently returned to take classes as an adult! I am so happy that I can continue to be a part of such a joyful community and and have the opportunity to move my body and relieve stress. I highly recommend classes to anyone wanting to get started with dance!

Our daughter has been going to Fishback since she was 4 years old. We love this studio. Her…read moretraining in all dance forms has been top notch. The teachers are amazing and extremely supportive. This studio has been our daughters second home and the teachers and dancers her second family. Highly recommend!!!!

I did these classes and I had short hair at the time. They were extremely rude to me and I would…read moreget weird stares from the instructor all the time.

My dance teacher was very nice and their building is really pretty inside. It's a great place to…read morelearn to dance!

It's a nice studio- small, good for other companies and performances. I only attended jazz here for…read morea year. They were a little strict on making up classes and payment plans. Other girls in the class mostly kept to themselves and seemed more focused on competition

My daughter loves her class! This is a great place for kids to have fun and learn the fundamentalsread more

This is a great place for young people to fall in love with dance. They are afford the opportunity…read morefor many to learn and enjoy dance. The staff is great and location is awesome.

What a kewl joint! My kids attended a birthday bash, and kudos to the staff for knocking it out of…read morethe park! The kids were engaged from beginning til end (and there was a handful of 3-5 year olds in the mix, that can be a tricky thing to accomplish). My crew learned some smooth moves and had so much fun in the process. There's a lot happening at this studio, and really worth checking out for adults and kids alike. The space is awesome!!!!

I love everything about this place. It's not just dance training, it's not just fitness, it's about…read moreconfidence, community and life skills. The coaches are all highly skilled, take time with the young ones and encourage everyone to participate. My son has been in class for about a year now, and I've seen him and so many other kids come in shy and build the confidence to perform in front of a crowd within just a few classes.

I had the opportunity to attend an event for the Lunar New Year. It was so much fun to see the…read moredances and demonstrations. The only comment I would say is that the viewing area needed better organization it was challenging to see at times. Other than that issue it was a fun time.

Yo, this place knows how to repre-zen-t…read more I recently visited for the Chinese New Year festivities and the entire experience was one of those kick-yourself-and-say-d'oh! realizations, that here I'd been living in the 505 nearly 20 years and never had the pleasure of the vibrant color, sound and tradition that this center puts together. It's a really fantastic show and it delineates the various age groups and activities that practice disciplines during the rest of the year. And it's a blast to take a toddler: dancing monkeys, a dashing dragon, bounding lions with enormous eyelashes and snapping jaws, that's entertainment, folks. I also managed to sneak in the front door the day prior, there's a lot going on in there. Gift shop, a hall with mirrors, from an architectural and interior design perspective it felt very eastern: covered in bright hues, every inch of the space honored. Even for the novice, this place is well worth a visit. Thanks for letting us in on the celebration, CCC.