We started here in 2019 when my daughter was 3-4 years old with Miss Ruthie. It was great for what it was at that age and my daughter loved it. Then covid hit, and we moved. At that time we tried to continue online classes and ended taking a year off and joining another dance school closer in proximity to us. By now having spent some time somewhere else and seeing the difference in performances and day to day, we had to come back. The quality of dance education is outstanding at Rock, with an excellent classical ballet program that they emphasize so your child has a proper foundation. Having the sister school in Philly is a bonus for the students exposure (optional field trips and shows to participate in with these dancers). Etienne and his staff do an excellent job creating a warm and positive environment for young impressionable students. I am a huge fan. Try a class and you'll feel the difference. read more

After being at the school for over a year, I was shocked to find my daughter doing cartwheels and handstands in the back of a ballet class. What was even more surprising is that the women teaching the class completely ignored my daughter and when I tried to talk to her after class to express my disappointment about the lack of discipline in the class, she refused to speak with me. To make matters worse, when I went to the school director, she was more concerned that I had broken their rule about parents observing the class than she was about establishing the appropriate level of discipline in the classroom. While the Rock School West may have at one point been a wonderful school, today they are a factory that ignores all but the best students. read more

My daughters have both taken classes at Rock West. I am terribly disappointed! It is a poorly run school and very unprofessional. They ride on the reputation of Rock in Philadelphia, which is leagues above this school. 1) You cannot register online, even in this day and age, because they give preference to some students over others, based on skill. They keep everyone registering via paper so they can pick and choose who gets into the preferred classes. If your kid loves dance, and is good, she'll be shut out of classes to make room for the girls that show "promise." Unbelievable! 2) The teachers are unreliable and not that skilled. My daughters took a class that had a string of teachers in a matter of months. Not one would stick with it. I had to pull them out of that class. It was a waste of money and time. 3) They will charge you full price for costumes to share. In addition, if for any reason your daughter cannot participate in the showcase, she is asked to leave the class, despite having paid for it. If she stays, she is relegated to the back of the class - out of the way of the real stars. Incredibly obnoxious! 4) Never expect to get any money refunded to you. With more than a full month's notice that my daughter would not be able to participate in the showcase due to a family wedding, they refused to refund the costume charge. The director actually advised me to take it home and let my daughter use it as a Halloween costume, "or donate it and get a tax break on your income." I kid NOT! She was giving me tax advice! It's a shabby outfit! And so expensive! That's why there is a revolving door up front. Few kids stick with it for long, with parental support to hit the road. read more