High School Program
The PBTS High School Program consists of Part-Time and Full-Time students.
Admission to the program is by invitation only, following a scheduled audition. Schedule auditions through the school office at 412-281-6727.
Part-time students attend classes weekday afternoons plus Saturdays. Full-time students attend classes weekday mornings and afternoons plus Saturdays.
The High School Program curriculum may include: Ballet Technique, Pointe, Variations, Partnering, Men’s Class, Repertoire, Character, Contemporary Dance, Modern Dance, Jazz, and Pilates Mat classes.
High School Students enrolling full-time with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School may enroll in the “PPS Program” (Formerly, the Schenley Program)–a partnership between the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School and the Pittsburgh Public Schools. This program enables the serious dance student to train intensively at the PBTS studios six days per week while attending a local Pittsburgh Public school for academic subjects. The schedule for the PPS Program student includes ballet instruction in the early morning at PBTS, attending a Pittsburgh Public School for late-morning and early-afternoon academic instruction, then returning to the PBTS for additional dance instruction. Students acquire 2.75 graded credits per year in Dance, Health, and Physical Education from PBTS toward academic grades. The remaining high school academic credits come from the Pittsburgh Public School system.
Some High School students opt to enroll in cyber school programs, as an alternative course of academic study, enabling them to take the Full-time morning and afternoon weekday classes.
Upon Graduation, PBTS High School students often continue on to study in the PBTS Graduate Program. For information on the Graduate Program click here
Performance Opportunities
At the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School, performance opportunities are part of the school philosophy. High School and Graduate Level students perform in the school’s annual Pre-Professional Showcases and Spring Performance. Spring Performance is designed to reflect the student’s journey from Level I to Pre-Professional training. Students perform at the Byham Theater. Throughout the year, some students in the High School and Graduate Levels may also have the opportunity to perform in the PBT Company repertoire at the Benedum Center.
Conditioning Programs
As part of the PBTS Pre-Professional curriculum, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Center for Sports Medicine staff may offer student seminars on topics such as stress management, sports psychology, nutrition, and injury prevention.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre enjoys a close relationship with UPMC and offers students the opportunity to use the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine facilities.
PBTS works with UPMC to offer Musculoskeletal Screenings, when possible, for the purpose of evaluating any muscle weakness or loss of motion that may contribute to the dancer sustaining injury. The musculoskeletal evaluation includes assessment of upper and lower extremity, flexibility and strength and is performed by a Certified Athletic Trainer and/or Licensed Physical Therapist. This is often coupled with a physical evaluation focusing on previous injuries and concerns of the dancer. If a potential problem is recognized, the dancer is instructed on ways to work toward correction. The UPMC Center for Sports Medicine is known for its Musculoskeletal Research Center and is the preferred healthcare provider for PBT, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Housing for Out-of-Town High School Students
SUPERVISED ROOM AND BOARD ACCOMMODATIONS FOR OUT-OF-TOWN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AGE 14-18 ARE AVAILABLE AT THE BYHAM HOUSE.
The Byham House offers a safe and nurturing “home away from home”. Students will enjoy the camaraderie of living in this community environment and parents will be assured that their child is being well cared for in our safe and supportive community. Byham House amenities and services include:
- Live-in supervision (staff member available 24hrs/day)
- Dinner daily; with food provision for other meals
- Bedroom with bed, bureau, desk, and chair
- Wireless internet access
- All utilities paid
- Age appropriate programs and activities*
- Assistance with medical appointments
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- On-going communication with parents
*some trips may be at additional cost
The Byham House occupies three floors in a historic 7,000 square foot property located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, just six blocks from Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre studios. It originated as the rectory for what was once St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, immediately adjacent to the property. The Byham House is a co-ed housing opportunity with accommodations for up to 16 students.
Rooms
Students at the Byham House can choose either single or shared rooms with separate floors and bathrooms for boys and girls. The live-in staff will maintain strict rules regarding visiting and socializing.
The Byham House provides bedroom essentials (bed, dresser or armoire) for every student. We encourage students to decorate their rooms to help them feel at home. Students are also provided with wireless internet, which can be accessed throughout the building - in student rooms, as well as in common areas.
The Lounge
The lounge serves as the social center of the house. This is where students will hold weekly house meetings, celebrate birthdays, share movie nights, watch favorite television shows, or watch performance videos together.
Study Hall
The Byham House offers private and group space which is used for studying, tutoring, and exam proctoring.
Dining
The Byham House offers a common dining experience to all residents. PBT also offers individual and flexible times based on resident’s schedules. We serve nutritious meals prepared with a young athlete’s needs in mind. Provisions will be available for other meals. The Byham House has a fully equipped kitchen (including microwave, pots, pans, dishes, and utensils) and a dining room.
Outings
Whether it’s a trip to Ohiopyle State Park, shopping at the Waterfront, enjoying a famous Primanti’s sandwich in the Strip District, or attending an arts, cultural, or sporting event in Pittsburgh, Byham House residents are sure to enjoy the occasional trips we will offer.
Rules and Guidelines
Upon enrollment into our program, each Byham House resident and their parent will receive a Resident Handbook with rules and responsibilities. Curfews and rules regarding use of drugs and alcohol as well as policies regarding visitors and overnight absences are clearly defined in this handbook.
Contact the School office for Byham House pricing and application.
The Byham House will be filled on a first-come basis.
Once the Byham House is filled, PBTS may supply a list of families in the Pittsburgh area who have offered to house students. The list will be limited by the number of families who contact PBTS and offer their home to students; therefore PBT School can not guarantee housing availability. PBT School serves as a listing resource for housing possibilities, and does not legally endorse any family on the list. However, PBT School does require a home-visit by two School staff members, a Criminal Record Clearance, and a Child Abuse Clearance from any family who would be listed as a possible housing source. Student’s parents or guardians and potential Host Homes may independently discuss accommodations, guidelines and house rules, and rental charges. It is ultimately the student’s parents/guardians responsibility to contact and secure safe and affordable housing for their son or daughter.
Academics
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School does not currently hold a status of an accredited academic school. High School students enrolling at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School may enroll in the “PPS Program” outlined in the High School Program description, or must make their own arrangements to continue their high school education through such means as correspondence courses (through your ‘resident’ high school) or cyber school programs.
Residents of Pennsylvania may opt to enroll in The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PA Cyber www.pacyber.org) - an accredited high school degree granting program designed to provide a compelling alternative to traditional public and private schools. Residents of Colorado, Florida, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, and Wisconsin may be able to enroll in a PA Cyber affiliate program. Additionally, other out-of-state and international high school students may opt to enroll in American International Academy (www.myinternationalacademy.com). Contact the School Office for additional Cyber School resources.
Although support services are available to Byham House residents, each student needs to be an independent learner and dependable in completing assignments in order to be successful in this kind of program. There will be less group structure and more creative and independent learning based around a demanding training schedule required of PBT School’s Pre-Professional program.