A curated guide to dance schools Australia · United States

Chicago · Illinois

Ballet in Chicago

5 verified schools across Chicago offer ballet — in Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, South Loop and The Loop.

Classical ballet training, from beginners through to pre-professional and RAD/Cecchetti programs.

Browse by age

Lincoln Park

Ballet Academy in Lincoln Park

Ages 3+

Founded 1998. Vaganova-method ballet school running from the Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture on Southport Avenue plus a second location at DePaul's Ray Meyer Fitness Center. From 'Small Steps' for young children through teen/adult Vaganova syllabus.

  • Ballet
  • Children's Dance

The Loop

Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet — Joffrey Tower

Ages 3+

Official school of The Joffrey Ballet, founded as the Joffrey Academy in 2010, renamed Grainger Academy in 2024 after a $5M gift. Joffrey Tower studios (3rd floor) in The Loop, with a second campus at 1920 S Wabash in the South Loop.

  • Ballet
  • Children's Dance

South Loop

Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet — South Loop

Ages 3+

South Loop second campus of Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet. 5,314 sqft of studios with sprung floors and harlequin surfaces on the first floor at 1920 S Wabash. Largest Joffrey studio expansion since Joffrey Tower opened in 2008.

  • Ballet
  • Children's Dance

Gold Coast

Ruth Page Center for the Arts

Ages 3+

Gold Coast performing-arts center in a historic 1926 building, founded 1971 by Chicago dance icon Ruth Page (1899-1991) and Larry Long. The Ruth Page School of Dance runs graded classical ballet ladders for children plus adult drop-in programming.

  • Ballet
  • Children's Dance

Lincoln Park

Tutu School Lincoln Park

Ages up to 8

Armitage Avenue storybook ballet studio for children 6 months to 8 years. Lincoln Park location of the established Tutu School franchise (Mill Valley flagship founded 2008 by Genevieve Custer Weeks).

  • Ballet
  • Children's Dance