This page provides responses to the most frequently asked questions. It does not address all the provisions contained in the admissions announcement.
You should also download and read the full admissions announcement, if available. Enrolment in the Ballet School entails accepting all terms, conditions and requirements specified in the admissions announcement.
Please consult these F.A.Qs before requesting further information.
The Ballet School of Accademia Teatro alla Scala is located in Milan, Via Campo Lodigiano 2/4 (map).
– By car: we recommend parking your car near a convenient metro station and using public transportation to reach us. It is very difficult to find parking in the city center.
– By train:
- from Stazione Centrale, take the M3 metro line (yellow line) toward Comasina-S. Donato and get off at the Missori stop, exit following directions to Corso Italia. Walk south on Corso Italia for 550 meters. Via Campo Lodigiano will be on your right.
- from Stazione Cadorna, go to the bus stop on Via Minghetti (toward the Castle) and take bus no. 94 to the Corso Italia – Via S. Sofia stop. Walk north on Corso Italia (towards Piazza Duomo). Via Campo Lodigiano is the first street on the left.
For more information on public transportation, visit www.atm-mi.it
– During the selection process
- Special rates are available for hostels and hotels near the Ballet School. More information is available here.
– During the trial period or academic year
- The Ballet School does not offer lodging but uses the services of two facilities in Milan:
- For males: Convitto Nazionale Pietro Longone – Via degli Olivetani, 9 – 20123 Milano, tel. (+39) 02-48193652
- For females: Educandato Statale Emanuela Setti Carraro Dalla Chiesa – Via Passione, 12 – 20122 Milano, tel. (+39) 02-76001425
The family is responsible for making all lodging arrangements and for negotiating rates. The Ballet School will not be involved in relations between the family and the student housing facility (see Point 17 of the admissions announcement).
– How to apply
You must apply to the Ballet School online.
Applications submitted by any other means (e.g. email, fax, post) will not be accepted.
You will find the application form by clicking on the “Apply now” button at the bottom of the Ballet School page.
– Documents to include with your application
Your online application must be accompanied by the documents specified in the admissions announcement (see Point 6 of the admissions announcement).
You must include copies of valid identification for both parents. Exceptions are made in the following cases:
- Parents are legally separated and one parent has full custody of the minor child. In this case you must include a copy of the court document specifying the name of the parent having full custody and a copy of the identity document of the parent having full custody;
- Death of a parent. In this case you must include a copy of the death certificate or a self-declaration.
- A legal guardian has full custody of the minor child. In this case you must include a copy of the document certifying legal guardianship and a copy of the guardian’s identity document.
The total size of the application packet with all attachments should be less than 4 MB, anything larger may not be processed correctly by the system, rendering the application void.
The recommended browsers are Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. You may apply using any computer, including Macintosh, or tablet. Application via smartphone is not recommended. The admission fee may be paid by direct debit or online by credit card (PayPal is not accepted).
Children who are in the fifth grade of elementary school when they submit their application are eligible for enrolment in the Level 1 course.
All other courses are open to candidates who are not yet 18 years old on the date of the application submission deadline.
Candidates ages 18-20 on the application submission deadline may apply to the Level 7 course as an EXTERNAL STUDENT (see Point 10 of the admissions announcement).
The choice of course level depends EXCLUSIVELY on the candidate’s class level in elementary, middle or high school, NOT on the number of previous years of study at dance school.
The levels are determined as follows:
| Current school year |
Ballet School course level | |||||||||||
| 5th year elementary school | Course level 1 | |||||||||||
| 1st year middle school | Course level 2 | |||||||||||
| 2nd year middle school | Course level 3 | |||||||||||
| 3rd year middle school | Course level 4 | |||||||||||
| 1st year high school | Course level 5 | |||||||||||
| 2nd year high school | Course level 6 | |||||||||||
| 3rd, 4th or 5th year high school | Course level 7 |
Candidates must apply for the course level as indicated in this table (see Point 5 in the admissions announcement).
4. ADMISSIONS EXAM AND MEDICAL EXAM
– When must the candidates be at the school for the physical or physical-technical aptitude tests?
Candidates must be at the school ten minutes before the time specified on the invitation. The physical aptitude or physical-technical aptitude examinations will begin one hour after the time specified on the invitation.
– How should I prepare for the admissions exam?
- For Level 1: there are no prerequisites. Students admitted to the Level 1 course at the Accademia will begin learning classical ballet starting from the basics.
- For Levels 2 – 7: the physical-technical aptitude test consists in a classical ballet lesson based on the program for the previous level (e.g. candidates applying to Level 2 will be tested on material from Level 1). Candidates will not be tested on variations on the classical or contemporary repertoire.
– What clothing should I wear to the admissions exam?
- Level 1: Girls should wear a leotard or bodysuit (one-piece swimsuits are also acceptable); Boys should wear a T-shirt and a pair of tight-fitting, elasticized shorts. Both must bring a pair of low socks.
- Levels 2 – 7: we suggest wearing the clothing used at the previous ballet school (tutus/skirts are not appropriate). Girls must bring both demi-pointe and pointe shoes.
– If I am not admitted to the Ballet School, will I be informed of the reasons?
We regret to inform you that Accademia Teatro alla Scala does not communicate the reasons for non-admission. The Examining Committee will judge whether the candidate’s performance on the physical or physical-technical aptitude tests meets the requisites for study of classical ballet at a professional level at our institution. Its decision is final and uncontestable.
– After passing the physical or physical-technical aptitude tests, when do the candidates have their medical exam?
The medical exam may take place on the same day as the aptitude test or on the following day (see admissions announcement). The schedule for the medical exams is determined based on the number of candidates passing the physical or physical-technical aptitude tests. It is thus not possible to say whether the medical exam will take place on the first or second day. Parents should plan to stay in Milan for two days.
– What documents should I bring to the medical exam?
For the medical exam you must provide the original application form signed by both parents or legal guardian to the Teaching Office. The application form will be sent to you via email immediately after you complete the online application process. You must print the form and have it signed by your parents or legal guardian. Italian law requires that you must provide an original copy of the consent form that allows processing of personally identifiable information (in this case the signed application form); you will not be able to take the admissions exam if you do not have this form.
If you have the results of any previous medical exams, we suggest you bring them with you and show them to the orthopedist and to the cardiologist.
– When must a parent or legal guardian be present?
- For Levels 1 – 3:
- for the medical exam;
- in early June on the day of the beginning of the Trial Period;
- in late June, for enrolment in the Ballet School after successful completion of the Trial Period.
- For Levels 4 – 7:
- for the medical exam;
- if additional medical exams are requested, a parent or legal guardian must be present when the results are read.
5. TRIAL PERIOD
– Who must undertake the trial period?
Candidates for course levels 1 – 3 who have passed the physical aptitude or physical-technical aptitude test and the medical exam are admitted to the Trial Period.
– Tuition for Trial Period
Candidates for Levels 1 – 3 admitted to the Trial Period shall pay the following tuition for this period: €200.00 (two hundred euros), including VAT (see Point 11 of the admissions announcement for further details).
– Course times
Attendance is mandatory during the Trial Period. Lessons take place Monday through Saturday. Lessons take place in the afternoon during the week and morning and afternoon on Saturday.
Lesson times are communicated every Friday afternoon for the following week.
– Where to stay
The Ballet School does not offer lodging but uses the services of two facilities in Milan:
- For males: Convitto Nazionale Pietro Longone – Via degli Olivetani, 9 – 20123 Milano, tel. (+39) 02-48193652
- For females: Educandato Statale Emanuela Setti Carraro Dalla Chiesa – Via Passione, 12 – 20122 Milano, tel. (+39) 02-76001425
The family is responsible for making all lodging arrangements and for negotiating rates. The Ballet School will not be involved in relations between the family and the student housing facility (see Point 17 of the admissions announcement).
– Clothing
Candidates are not required to purchase the school uniform for the Trial Period.
We recommend, in any case, that students wear a tracksuit and gym shoes between lessons. The recommended technical clothing comprises:
- Level 1: a leotard or bodysuit for girls; a white T-shirt and tight-fitting, elasticized shorts for boys. Both must bring a pair of low socks. Candidates must use split-sole ballet shoes.
- Course levels 2 and 3: we suggest wearing the clothing used at the previous ballet school (tutus are not appropriate). Candidates must use split-sole ballet shoes. Girls must also have pointe shoes.
6. BALLET SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
– Lesson times
Attendance is mandatory.
Levels 1 – 5: lessons are held from Monday through Friday. Levels 6 and above: lessons are held Monday through Saturday.
Levels 1 – 3: lessons take place in the afternoon; Levels 4 – 7: lessons take place in the morning and afternoon.
Lesson times are communicated every Friday afternoon for the following week.
– Typical day
- For Levels 1 – 3: Students in course levels 1 – 3 are responsible for arriving at the middle school by their own means on time for lessons. At the end of lessons, a shuttle bus will bring them to the Ballet School, where they can eat lunch (see Cafeteria) before attending their dance lessons. At the end of the school day, students are responsible for returning home by their own means.
- For Levels 4 – 8: students are responsible for arriving by their own means at the Ballet School for dance lessons, which are followed by lunch. A shuttle bus service is available to take them to the high school in mid-afternoon.
– Access to the Ballet School
Students may access the Ballet School thirty minutes before the beginning of their first lesson and must leave the building no later than thirty minutes after the end of their last lesson for the day.
– Clothing
Candidates admitted to the Ballet School must purchase the Ballet School uniform and all other course materials at theAccademia Store at Via Santa Marta 18, Milan.
Students may only purchase and wear the uniform if they have formally enrolled in the Ballet School.
– Cafeteria
The Ballet School has its own cafeteria that is open Monday through Friday, 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Students must purchase meal coupons at the Student Assistance Office at a cost of €30.00 (including VAT) for a book of 10 coupons.
– Tuition for the school year
(Detailed information is provided in the admissions announcement for the academic year in question)
– Financial aid
All financially disadvantaged students admitted to the Ballet School may apply for:
- Student loan
- Scholarship
- Full or partial tuition exemption
Financial aid forms will be available online. The link will be sent by the Students’ Office to the candidates admitted, after the selection process.
7. MIDDLE SCHOOL / HIGH SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS.
Parents are advised to enroll their children at the schools they would normally attend based on their place of residence. If the child is admitted to the Ballet School, you will receive information regarding the option of transferring enrollment to the schools associated with the La Scala Academy.
– Which school?
Starting with academic year 2017-2018, the Academy proposes the following scholastic options:
• For course levels 1-3: middle school at the “Pietro Longone” Boarding School (for those enrolling in the first, second or third year of middle school during academic year 2017-2018);
• For course levels 4-6: the high school dance academy at the “Pietro Longone” Boarding School (for those enrolling in the first, second or third year of high school during academic year 2017-2018);
• For course levels 7 and 8: the “Teatro alla Scala” Municipal High School of Languages (for those enrolling in the fourth or fifth year of high school during academic year 2017-2018).
– Am I obliged to attend one of these schools?
No, families are completely free in their choice of school and course of study. However, in making this choice they must make sure there are no conflicts with the Ballet School lesson schedule (see FAQ point 6).
– What is the “Liceo Coreutico”?
The Liceo Coreutico is a high school specialized in dance but including all subjects required for a high school diploma. The Liceo Coreutico is reserved exclusively for students enrolled in the La Scala Academy Ballet School. Students are thus able to fulfill their schooling requirements while learning the technique and practice of the art of dance in specifically designed professional training courses for dancers. The year-end assessment
will address both theory and practice.