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In-School Residencies

The in-school residency fosters a sense of joy and accomplishment that DCP believes every child should experience. The residency is an in-school, standards-based social and emotional learning program that cultivates essential life skills in fifth and eighth grade students through the practice and performance of ballroom dance. Our core values of respect, compassion, humor, and joy transform our “ballroom” into a safe space where all students can succeed. The journey of dancing together calls on, and improves, a range of behavioral skills, including decision-making, goal-setting, communication, and relationship building, that are proven to provide long-term benefits to health and well-being. Read on for more information and to enroll.

List of 19-20 DCP Schools

Albert M. Greenfield School
Aldan Elementary School
All Saints Catholic School
Andrew Jackson School
Anna L. Lingelbach Elementary School
Blessed Trinity Regional Catholic School
Cecelia C. Snyder Middle School
Chester A. Arthur School
Chester Upland School of the Arts
Community Academy of Philadelphia
Cook-Wissahickon Elementary School
Charles W. Henry School
Delaware Valley Friends School
The DePaul Catholic School
Dr. Ethel Allen Promise Academy
Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School
Aloysius L. FitzPatrick Elementary School
Gen. George G. Meade School
Global Leadership Academy SouthWest
George W. Childs School
Holy Cross School
Independence Charter School
Jenks Academy for the Arts and Sciences
John Hancock Demonstration School
Kennedy C. Crossan Academics Plus Elementary School
Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School
Maternity BVM Elementary School
Morton McMichael School
Northwood Academy Charter School
Our Lady of Confidence Day School
Our Lady of Hope Regional Catholic School
Our Mother of Sorrows /St. Ignatius of Loyola School
Pan American Academy Charter School
Park Lane Elementary School
Paul L Dunbar Promise Academy
Penn Alexander School
Philadelphia Montessori Charter School
Robert K Shafer Middle School
Royer Greaves School for Blind
Russell Byers Charter School
St. Anselm School
St. Anthony of Padua Regional Catholic School
St. Athanasius School
St. Barnabas School
St. Christopher School
St. Dominic School
St. Francis Xavier School
St. Gabriel School
St. Jerome School
St. Laurence School
St. Martha Parish School
St. Mary’s Interparochial School
St. Monica School
St. Pio Regional Catholic School
St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic School
St. Veronica School
Stetser Elementary School
Visitation BVM School
Walnut Elementary School
William Cramp School
Woodlynde School

What is an In-School Residency?

  • The program is structured around 10-week semesters.
  • Classes take place twice weekly.
  • All fifth or eight grade students and classroom teachers are required to participate.
  • Teaching artists instruct students in social dance such as the merengue, foxtrot, rumba, tango, swing, and waltz and selected “sugar” dances–such as the cha cha slide and stomp.
  • Each residency also includes a video lesson, a guest artist “buddy” visit, and curriculum connection assignments. Click here for an inside look at a buddy visit!

In the 2019 Fall Semester, DCP began offering residencies with gender neutral circles. Independence Charter School, Penn Alexander School, and Woodlynde School were the first schools to pilot circles arranged by random, not by those who identify as ladies and those who identify as gentlemen. We pride ourselves on being as inclusive as possible, and this is just one of the many ways we are able to show respect for all individuals and promote our mission of fostering self-esteem, social awareness and joy in children.

Teaching Artists
Our Teaching Artists are carefully selected and trained in the Dulaine Method and the Dancing Classroom Curriculum, and use the vocabulary of ballroom dance to cultivate the positive feelings that are inherent in every child. The maturity necessary to dance together fosters respect, team work, and a sense of joy and accomplishment that DCP believes every child should experience. Our Teaching Artists also work very closely with classroom teachers to create curriculum connection assignments that support the academic goals of the participating class. In addition to work that supports academic content areas, students write reflections to voice their feelings about learning to dance and work with classmates.

Culminating Events
All participating schools finish with a “Culminating Event,” after which selected students can take part in the optional Colors of the Rainbow Team Match events. The Culminating Event is a highlight of the residency for all members of the school community. Students, parents, and teachers come together to celebrate the social development of the dancers, as well as to enjoy an elegant dance performance!

Health Lessons from CHOP
Since 2008, medical residents at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have collaborated with Dancing Classrooms Philly to deliver five brief interactive lessons that illustrate the health benefits of dance to one school per semester. The doctors present five mini lessons about the brain, lungs, heart, musculoskeletal system, and nutrition for 15-20 minutes prior to the beginning of the dance instruction. The health lessons address serious health concerns that are prevalent in our inner city population including asthma, diabetes and obesity. This program is an important addition to the curriculum as many schools do not have health classes.

How to Enroll/School Requirements
Click here for information on school requirements and pricing. To request an application and enroll your school, please contact us at info@dancingclassroomsphilly.org or call the Program Director, Swati Chaturvedi, at 215-268-3973.