My daughter attended Central Florida Ballet for many years and left due to the politics of the staff and parents at the school.
To move ahead in a level you either have to be part of a wealthy family, who donates extra funds for their advantage, or you have to be the best friend of the academy's coordinators (previous dance moms) daughter. Placement is not based on ability, in the majority of cases, it is based on status and popularity. There are many girls who do not have the ability and are placed in the highest level. The executive director does not get involved in many of the decisions unless he is given a check.
In addition, the fess recently added, benefit the wealthy. If you are unable to pay the full years tuition or at least 6 months worth of tuition, there is a monthly fee implimented in addition to the other fees they charge. These charges were the decision of the academy registrar.. The director prefers to let others make the decisions for the school. The decisons for the welfare of the school and students are made by inexperienced coordinators, school registrars, and parents.
The school had the potentail to be a good school but they are no longer guide by their heart and let inexperience make the decisions and give the deciding power to those who are not qualified to do so.
I wish them luck in the future as many of the students have left due to many of the politics of the school.