Scripps Performing Arts Academy

If you are looking for a preprofessional ballet program that values education and self-​discipline, then SPAA is the place for your child. Three years ago, my then 12 year old daughter was at a crossroads in her dance training. She was at a competition studio, studying all forms of dance, but really wanted a solid dance education that could take her farther than dance competitions. Luckily I found SPAA and Ms. Angela and Ms. Miah encouraged my daughter to try their program. My daughter has since been to Summer intensives at Pacific Northwest Ballet, Houston Ballet and has been accepted to others including San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet and Boston Ballet. This summer she is off to New York to train at Juilliard. She has taken classes from the best and feels that the classes at SPAA have not only prepared her well for other programs but are on par with the level of instruction.
There is very little turnover of teachers or students at SPAA. She has been with the same teachers and students for the last three years. Kids leave when they graduate and take their love of dance with them. The teachers are fair, kind and truly care about their students.
This program is reasonably priced and Ms. Miah puts her heart and soul into educating the dancers. They charge a fraction of what I was paying for competition dance.
My daughter is happy and I never question the education she is receiving at SPAA. I highly recommend this school and only wish I had found it earlier.

Talking to a few friends recently, they too feel the same way about SPAA. They pulled their kids out too. So, I am not the only one who is not happy with them.

I received an email about a $ 50 discount if we were one of the first 10 to sign up for the summer session. I called to check if 10 people had already signed up and was told that I had time to get the discount. I called a week later and was told that 10 people had already signed up and I could no longer get the discount. I complained that I had just spoke to them and they said that I had time. After the class started, I found out that there were only 8 girls in the class. This was very unprofessional and dishonest practice. I don’t know if I will be signing up again. My daughter did have a great time, but the camp was very expensive and every $ saved helps in our family budget. They were not willing to work with me.

My daughter has attended pre-​ballet classes at SPAA for the past two years. She also attended a few weeks of Angelina Ballerina summer camps. She has greatly enjoyed her time dancing at SPAA although she has recently expressed interest in trying other extracurricular activities.
I want to express my appreciation and admiration for the way that Miss Stephanie Cotton and Miss Mandy Santiago have taught our daughter and her ballerina friends. They both do a great job engaging the girls, encouraging them, and teaching them basic fundamentals of dance all while managing a group of wiggly little girls. Thank you for your kindness and the fun you created which will probably be remembered long after my daughter forgets the French names of specific ballet moves and the basic ballet positions.

My daughter was in Lori J’s” Singing In The Rain” class and I can assure you that her recollection is a TOTAL fabrication! I am dismayed that anyone would slander Miss Sarah as she has.
It is true there was a «moment of truth» class where, as my daughter (who is 10 not in preschool!) put it, they were asked to perform in front of the mirror to watch themselves. My daughter said it was clear most were not practicing at home. Because of this, Miss Sarah gave up her Holiday to spend an EXTRA 1.5 hr. class to help prepare them for the show the following week. An email was sent on the decision to open the class and all but one happily agreed to come. We were also notified that on the day of the performance there would be a two hour pre-​show dress rehearsal! Lori showed up with her daughter a half hour before without the proper dress and hair (also stated in the email).
Thanks to Sarah, the parents, and our little actresses and actor, the show was great! I am amazed that she can pull the show off with children as little as preschool, but she does:)
My daughter will always remember her first time on stage as a great experience and we are certainly signing her up for the next Musical Theater Workshop at Scripps Performing Arts Academy!

The one-​star ranking is based on the extremely poor customer service I received on multiple occasions from SPAA. Here are a few of the details…
1) When signing up for a musical theatre class, I was told it included instruction in singing, dancing and acting. However, once we signed up, they told us that no real dancing is taught and tried to sell us on additional dance lessons. I could look past that if it weren’t for the other examples.
2) I was told by SPAA that if we referred a friend, we would get at $ 25 credit. I specifically asked if it would be applied to my account before my next payment (you pay for the musical theatre class in two installments). Although they said it would, they forgot to credit my account. I had to follow up in-​person and by phone multiple times. When it was finally applied to my account, it was after they had taken my final payment. When I asked for a refund, they said that it is against their policy to provide refunds (even though I wouldn’t have had to ask for a refund if it weren’t for SPAA incompetence when applying the credit).
3) One of the reasons I signed up for this musical theatre class rather than other studios is because I was told the cost included instruction, costumes AND two tickets to the final performance. However, when it came time for the final performance I was told that they would not give us the two tickets. I went to the employee that initially informed me that they were included and she admitted she had told me that. She said, «They only told me recently that the tickets weren’t included.» When I reached out to SPAA, their only comment was «I’m sorry if you feel you received incorrect information regarding the ticket costs for our event.» Hmmm… Really? Considering you are one of the most expensive dance studios, I’d think you could honor what an agent of your company promised.
4) If you have any questions regarding billing, holiday schedules, etc. you can’t get anyone to answer your questions at the studio.
Overall, a big stink fest when dealing with this company. My child did enjoy the program, but not worth the headaches in dealing with SPAA when they have no desire to provide any type of customer service.

My daughter has attended Imagination Station for two years now and I am absolutely thrilled with the program. I truly believe that if more parents knew what went on in the Imagination Station classroom, the school would have a waiting list twenty students long. During the 2014 – 15 academic year, Imagination Station offered a junior kindergarten program that integrates an advanced academic curriculum with creative and performing arts woven in throughout the day. So, yes, the students get reading and writing and math, but they also get ballet, yoga, music, famous artist lessons, hands-​on science, cooking, theater, handwriting with a focus on correct letter formation, geography, P.E., social studies and practical-​life skills, and more.
The intimate environment and «smallness» of the program really allows the children to get to know one another and to work on creative experiments and projects that might not be feasible in a larger classroom.
Lack of an outdoor playground is one disadvantage to the current location. However, the children do have a large open-​air indoor dance studio where they get plenty of of exercise and freedom to play athletic games — and as a bonus, we don’t have to worry about sunscreen.
Although the program is a full six-​hour day, my five-​year usually complains at pick-​up time that I’ve come to pick her up too soon. We are really going to miss Imagination Station when we move up to elementary school next year.

My daughter began dancing at Scripps Performing Arts Academy when she was 4 and is now 12. As she has grown and developed a passion for ballet the staff at SPAA has been there to guide us and to help us to make age appropriate decisions for her development. As my daughter began to get serious about ballet, I had to dig in and do a lot of research to ensure that my daughter was getting the best training possible and I am confident that she is at the best ballet studio in San Diego. The training is solid and consistent and the technique is exceptional. I am grateful that we found this little gem so many years ago!
My daughter is thriving at SPAA. Her dance training has developed her into a hard working and diligent 12 yr old. Through her ballet training she has learned the value of hard work, which transfers over to her academics. She truly considers this studio her home away from home and the staff and other dancers, her family.
I trust SPAA with my daughter’s ballet training. I believe that they have her best interests at heart. They are a quality ballet and dance training school, with solid technique and a true commitment to their dancers.

I have 2 daughters who dance at this fantastic studio. All the staff are incredibly caring and truly want to see my daughters succeed at their goals. Both Miss Miah the ballet mistress and Miss Angela the director care a great deal about the environment of the studio. Students are encouraged to be supportive and kind to each other. Classes are age appropriate and yet the technique level is very high. There is a strong sense of family and a fun and happy show time environment during productions, (not something we have experienced most places).
Very thankful to have found such a great place for my girls to grow!

My daughter has been going to SPAA for 7 years now and from the moment she starting going there, she has loved the classes, teachers and performances. Miss Angela is so kind, welcoming and inspiring to the students. I think every year, my daughter loves ballet even more because of the teachers at this school. She looks forward to the production of Nutcracker each year and just in the last 2 years started taking the Summer Ballet Intensive Program which she tells me she looks forward to as well. I love to see her passion for dance nurtured at SPAA by the wonderful instructors.

BEWARE…
My first suggestion is to read the, «not currently recommended reviews.» Many of them are, «spot on» accurate.
We spent 6 years at this studio and can’t believe we put up with chaos of this place for so long.
I’ll bullet point just a few issues…
*Staff turnover is very high.
*Staff on hand are often very stressed and unpleasant to work with.
*Probably the most expensive dance school in town.
*Limited selection of classes and there is an expectation that parents drive from Scripps Ranch to Carmel Valley or visa versa for classes.
*Audition, rehearsal schedules and times change spontaneously and/​or can run over time. If you are a busy parent, or a single parent, this is very difficult.
*OCISPE Contracts are $ 65. No one else in town charges for OCISPE contracts!
*Performances fees are very expensive.(I was very sad to see the auditorium practically empty at several of the Nutcracker performances last year.)
We have moved on and are truly delighted with our new studio. For $ 105 a month LESS my daughter has the opportunity to take several more classes from a variety of genres at one convenient location. Her dancing has improved tremendously and she is working with teachers who are professionals in the field.

A wonderful studio where they really care about the dancers. Highly recommend!

This place used to be my favorite place on earth, then they tore it all apart.

My daughter and grand daughter have been associated with this organization for four years. Rip off at every opportunity. Admission prices for performances are greater than NYC Ballet!!.
Roses for performers $ 5.00 each. Back stage messages with one cheap candy $ 2.00. each. We are in a recession — give us a break

I think people don’t expect much to give this place 5 stars. Horrible customers service. In 1year my daughter had 4 different teachers. And when is time for t for the shows, plays and whatever they do, forget about it that place is a mess. Maybe that’s why they try to obligated you to automatically payments charge in the credit card. My neighbor found an excellent school in Rancho Bernardo. Defenetly transferring my daughter there.

My 6-​year-​old, now in Ballet 1, has been coming here since she was 2.5 for Mommy and Me. For a child who bores easily, that’s really saying something. She still looks forward to dance every week. SPAA has done wonders for her self-​confidence.
Miss Angela, the founder, inspires with her vision and passion. The talented Miss Kat leads the children’s division with fun and warmth – my very shy kid adores her. Jane at the front desk is capable and a wonderful person.
In addition to regular dance classes (ballet, tap, jazz), SPAA puts on numerous shows each year, from classic (the annual Nutcracker and others) to modern. There is something for all ages. This spring brings Earthakalah, an original fairy tale with dance, created by Miss Angela.
The performances are not just for SPAA students and families. It’s well worth it to make a trip to Scripps Ranch to see productions, both dance and musical theatre. Last spring’s Beauty & the Beast was glorious. It’s a beautiful thing to give children the gift of watching a live performance.
SPAA goes up through pre-​professional division, and some students land spots in prestigious dance schools and departments. But for most of our kids, dance is joy in motion. The people at SPAA are what make it special.