A DIW dancer in a green leotard lunging across a blue-lit studio

Ages 3-18

Pre-Professional School

Developing talent and broadening horizons, one child at a time.

WhoAges 3-18Four divisions that grow with your dancer
When1 to 5 days a weekTraining days increase with each division
Cost80% on scholarship80% of students receive full or partial scholarships
Where3400 14th St NWWashington, DC 20010

World-class educationTechnique, artistry and confidence

We train artistic excellence at the highest level to build lifelong skills and confidence through compassion, empowerment, and academic and emotional support. Our curriculum is designed around a strong foundation in ballet technique and other supporting genres that allow students to become well-rounded dancers and artists.

DIW offers a progressive learning experience designed to meet every dancer at their current level and guide them toward their goals.

A DIW teacher partnering three students in the studio

Level divisions

Four divisions, ages 3 to 18

A developmental journey from age 3 through 18, structured across four divisions that grow with your dancer, building technique, artistry, and confidence at every stage.

Division

Young DIW students in tutus holding hands at the barre

Ages 3-71-2 days a week

Early Division

First Position IFirst Position IIPlié IPlié IIPlié III

Training at the Dance Institute of Washington begins in the Early Division. Early Division is an intentionally creative realm that is age-appropriate. The overall objective is to engage in and enjoy dance while building a solid foundation of balletic movement. This division focuses on imaginative play, coordination, energy words, spatial awareness, directionality, balance, and motor skills.

Note: All young dancers must be potty-trained in order to participate in our Early Division.

Five young DIW students in black leotards on a blue backdrop

Ages 8-113-4 days a week

Lower Division

Tendu ITendu IITendu III

In this division, we introduce additional dance genres and have higher expectations of students so that we can effectively teach these styles. At this stage, our instructors begin to provide extensive support to the students so that they understand how to correctly execute movements and minimize the risk of injury long term.

Successful completion of the Lower Division means that a student has a serious approach to their training, proper class etiquette, commitment, and a firm grasp of basic techniques in dance.

Three DIW students in red leotards with their arms raised in the studio

Ages 11-144-5 days a week

Middle Division

Relevé IRelevé IIRelevé III

Upon entry to our Middle Division, students begin cultivating their personal development. They are introduced to Ballet Theory and expand their genre training to include African, Modern, Repertoire, and more.

Our female-identifying students are introduced to pre-pointe and beginner pointe classes. In order to complete the middle division, female-identifying students must pass the end-of-the-year assessment and complete beginner pointe training; this is a prerequisite.

A DIW dancer in a pink leotard holding an arabesque as her teacher guides her arm

Ages 14-185 days a week

Upper Division

Upper Division IUpper Division II

Our Upper Division caters to High Schoolers, ages 14-18. This division is focused on preparing our students for their exit from High School and their entrance into college and careers.

Upon graduation from the Dance Institute of Washington, our students will be smart dancers who prioritize long-term health and wellness. Our graduates will also have a mastery of technique that embodies an iconic performance quality.

Swipe to see the other divisions.

What makes DIW different?

Safety, excellence and equity

Safety & Belonging

A safe space in a nurturing facility that is equipped the highest quality of resources to ensure that their environment fosters their growth and advancement in dance training.

Artistic Excellence

We don’t just train dancers; we cultivate leaders. Our curriculum builds deep technical skill alongside the life skills needed to succeed in any field.

Advancing Equity

We believe talent is universal. Our model provides world-class training regardless of ability to pay. 80% of students receive full or partial scholarships.

Our proven impact

Our model is designed to disrupt inequitable training pipelines and embed mental resilience, critical thinking, and community service into dance education. We don’t just train dancers, we cultivate leaders with a mastery of technique that embodies an iconic performance quality.

1,000+Students served in 2025

$92K+Scholarships & stipends in 2025

80%Scholarship rate

95%Graduate success rate

“My son took part in this year’s Boys in Ballet program, and it was amazing to hear him speak with excitement about being a male dancer. Thank you DIW and all of your amazing staff.”Crystal Elaine, DIW Parent

Support for every student

Vitamins and scholarships

DIW students smiling together in the studio

DIW Vitamins

Holistic support for the mind, body, and future

DIW’s “Vitamins” are a suite of holistic services that nourish our students’ full potential, combining rigorous technique with life-altering support. Our model is built around four pillars, Power Hour™, FullOUT™, Energy Barre™, and Positive Pathways™ to ensure every student has the tools and resilience to thrive on and off the stage.

Learn more

Three DIW dancers in tutus performing together

Pricing & Scholarships

Improving lifelong outcomes for D.C. youth and communities

We believe world-class dance training should be available to all. Our unique model combines world class dance experiences with comprehensive subsidized services to improve academic, career, and community opportunities.

Learn more

Ready to start?

DIW offers a progressive learning experience designed to meet every dancer at their current level and guide them toward their goals.

Vitamins and scholarships

DIW students sitting in a circle on the studio floor with a mentor

DIW Vitamins

Holistic support for the mind, body, and future

DIW’s “Vitamins” are a suite of holistic services that nourish our students’ full potential, combining rigorous technique with life-altering support.

EnrichmentPower Hour™

Monthly intensives in arts-integrated academic enrichment, professional development, and life skills.

ConditioningFullOUT™

This program focuses on body conditioning and injury prevention. Students attend workshops with a physical therapist to learn how to keep their bodies safe and recover at an elevated level.

NutritionEnergy Barre™

Our nutrition education and healthy meals program helps nourish young dancers and teaches them how to maintain a balanced diet.

CounselingPositive Pathways™

We foster positive mental pathways in young dancers through workshops and meetings with a licensed professional counselor.

Academic Achievement

DIW empowers promising, high-needs youth by providing educational resources and instilling intellectual curiosity and discipline. Through strategic partnerships, students receive complimentary services like tutoring, college counseling, and standardized test preparation.

TutoringCollege counselingStandardized test preparationFree internet access

A large group of DIW students in blue DIW leotards smiling together in the studio

Pricing & Scholarships

Improving lifelong outcomes for D.C. youth and communities

DIW is proud to make its world-class training and key services accessible to everyone. For this reason, the costs associated with participating in our school varies across families. Each year, DIW awards multiple scholarships & financial aid opportunities to young people who have displayed talent and commitment to DIW’s pre-professional school.

Access to our financial aid and scholarship application will be given after a student has both registered and been accepted into our program. Our financial aid offerings are influenced by considering the yearly income of each family, demonstrated financial need, and most recently, financial impacts due to COVID-19. For any questions regarding financial aid and scholarships please email us at info@danceinstitute.org Hablamos Español!

Safety, excellence and equity

Safety & belonging

A safe space in a nurturing facility that is equipped the highest quality of resources to ensure that their environment fosters their growth and advancement in dance training.

Artistic excellence

We don’t just train dancers; we cultivate leaders. Our curriculum builds deep technical skill alongside the life skills needed to succeed in any field.

Advancing equity

We believe talent is universal. Our model provides world-class training regardless of ability to pay. 80% of students receive full or partial scholarships.

Our proven impact

1,000+Students served in 2025

$92K+Scholarships & stipends in 2025

80%Scholarship rate

95%Graduate success rate

“My son took part in this year’s Boys in Ballet program, and it was amazing to hear him speak with excitement about being a male dancer. Thank you DIW and all of your amazing staff.”Crystal Elaine, DIW Parent

Frequently asked questions

Training at the Dance Institute of Washington begins in the Early Division, starting at age 3. Early Division is an intentionally creative realm that is age-appropriate. The overall objective is to engage in and enjoy dance while building a solid foundation of balletic movement.

Not at all. The vast majority of our students begin with no previous training. Our introductory classes are specifically designed for beginners and focus on building a strong foundation of dance fundamentals from the ground up. Our instructors are experienced in working with new dancers and creating a supportive, welcoming environment for everyone.

You can expect a warm and welcoming environment. Your child will be greeted by their instructor, introduced to their new classmates, and led through a fun warm-up. The class will cover some basic steps and concepts in an engaging, age-appropriate way, often incorporating music and creative games. Our primary goal for the first class is for your child to have a great time, feel comfortable, and leave with a smile, excited to come back next week.

Tuition varies by program, but scholarships are available based on need. DIW makes world-class training accessible, with 80% of our students receiving financial aid or free programming.

Pre-Professional School

World-class educationTechnique, artistry and confidence