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RAD Ballet Studios (Royal Academy of Dance)

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the world's most widely taught ballet syllabi, founded in London and used in studios across the globe. Its defining feature is a clear, graded structure — from Pre-Primary and Primary through numbered grades and vocational levels — with optional formal examinations that give students a tangible sense of progress. That clarity makes it especially popular for children and recreational dancers, and reassuring for parents. Studios listed here indicate they teach the RAD syllabus, though whether they enter students for exams varies. If you want a recognised, level-by-level path with exams as milestones, RAD is the classic choice — check with the studio about grades and examination options. The 83 studios below have real evidence of teaching the RAD syllabus — from the studio's own site or from students' reviews — ranked by rating, with the student mentions shown as proof.

Related: see how RAD compares with Vaganova, Cecchetti and Balanchine — the ballet methods explained.

Method labels come from each studio's own website and students' reviews, and studios apply a syllabus to differing degrees. If training in the RAD syllabus is the reason you're choosing a studio, confirm it with them before you enrol.

All 83 studios teaching the RAD syllabus, ranked by rating

  1. The D.R.E.A.M. Center — Tucker, GA
    5 ★★★★★ 51 reviews Free trial Pointe Kids & teens
  2. Ballet Coaching Wirral — Commerce, MI
    5 ★★★★★ 39 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons

    “Emma has supported me with RAD exam prep that has greatly improved my technique, particularly my adagio and extensions.”

  3. Grace Ballet Los Angeles — Los Angeles, CA
    5 ★★★★★ 36 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons · 2 student mentions

    “She guided me through my Advanced Foundation exam and has inspired me to apply to be a Royal Academy of Dance registered teacher myself.”

  4. Ballet School of Kingston — Kingston, NY
    5 ★★★★★ 35 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  5. L&M BALLET — Boca Raton, FL
    5 ★★★★★ 34 reviews Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons
  6. Ballet Academy of Silicon Valley — Morgan Hill, CA
    5 ★★★★★ 23 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  7. Downtown Dance Conservatory — Gadsden, AL
    5 ★★★★★ 23 reviews Kids & teens
  8. Hyde Park School of Dance — Chicago, IL
    5 ★★★★★ 22 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  9. Premiere Academy of Performing Arts — Salem, OR
    5 ★★★★★ 22 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens · 2 student mentions

    “She's worked incredibly hard to become RAD certified which is evidence of her dedication.”

  10. OC Ballet Academy — Laguna Hills, CA
    5 ★★★★★ 17 reviews Free trial Kids & teens · 2 student mentions

    “This is possibly the best ballet school in orange county if you are looking for Royal Academy of Dance registered teachers.”

  11. Sandra's Studio of Dance — Spokane, WA
    5 ★★★★★ 17 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  12. Ovation School of Dance — Springdale, PA
    5 ★★★★★ 15 reviews Free trial Kids & teens
  13. Dance Design School — Cornwall, NY
    5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews Free trial Kids & teens · 2 student mentions

    “Dance & Music Design School is a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) syllabus school, which means it adheres to an established and time-tested program of training young dancers.”

  14. Academy of Dance — Yankton, SD
    5 ★★★★★ 10 reviews Kids & teens
  15. Dance Foundry — Decatur, GA
    5 ★★★★★ 10 reviews Kids & teens
  16. Park Ballet — Charlotte, NC
    5 ★★★★★ 10 reviews Kids & teens
  17. NAU Community Dance Academy — Flagstaff, AZ
    5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews Pointe Kids & teens · 3 student mentions

    “The Academy follows the rigorous Royal Academy of Dance curriculum; the music program here upholds equally high standards.”

  18. Oregon Ballet School — Portland, OR
    5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews Pointe Kids & teens · 2 student mentions

    “The curriculum here follows the Royal Academy of Dance and teacher Leslie does a phenomenal job of teaching her students and making sure that they are placed in the correct level.”

  19. Celebration Dance — Green Bay, WI
    5 ★★★★★ 5 reviews Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons
  20. Spring Lake School of Dance — Spring Lake, NJ
    5 ★★★★★ 5 reviews Free trial Adult classes Kids & teens

    “one of 4 dance studios in NJ to have RAD syllabus and exams.”

  21. Community School of Ballet — Ann Arbor, MI
    5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens

    “There are opportunities for all age levels to progress through a structured Royal Academy of Dance curriculum.”

  22. Danceartists Ballet Academy — Shrewsbury, MA
    5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews Kids & teens
  23. Perfect Pointe Performing Arts Center — La Verne, CA
    5 ★★★★★ 4 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens

    “Ballet teachers are qualified in both ABT (American Ballet Theatre) and RAD (Royal Academy of Dance methods.”

  24. Academy Ballet School — Annapolis, MD
    5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews Kids & teens
  25. Art In Motion Dance Academy — Spring, TX
    5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews Free trial Adult classes Kids & teens
  26. Ballet Arts of Central New York — Clark Mills, NY
    5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews Kids & teens
  27. Rachel's Ballet — Dublin, CA
    5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews Kids & teens
  28. Whitley Ballet School — Pasadena, CA
    5 ★★★★★ 3 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons
  29. Texas Ballet Theater School Dallas Studio — Dallas, TX
    5 ★★★★★ 2 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  30. The Ballet Academy — Frankfort, MI
    5 ★★★★★ 1 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  31. The Dance Academy Del Mar — San Diego, CA
    4.9 ★★★★★ 59 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  32. Launch Dance Center — Redondo Beach, CA
    4.9 ★★★★★ 34 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons
  33. Northern Dance Academy — Dalton Gardens, ID
    4.9 ★★★★★ 18 reviews Free trial Kids & teens
  34. Queen City Ballet — Helena, MT
    4.9 ★★★★★ 13 reviews Free trial Adult classes Kids & teens
  35. The Dance Pointe — Tulsa, OK
    4.8 ★★★★★ 160 reviews Free trial Pointe Kids & teens
  36. Belliston Academy of Ballet and Dance — Littleton, CO
    4.8 ★★★★★ 126 reviews Free trial Pointe Kids & teens
  37. Royale Ballet Dance Academy — Dallas, TX
    4.8 ★★★★★ 60 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  38. Academie de Ballet Classique — Bend, OR
    4.8 ★★★★★ 52 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons

    “We value that ABC participates in the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) program.”

  39. Arias to the Pointe — Rocklin, CA
    4.8 ★★★★★ 39 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  40. Ballet Kukan Academy — Monrovia, CA
    4.8 ★★★★★ 39 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens · 2 student mentions

    “While the annual RAD (Royal Academy of Dance) evaluations may add a degree of pressure at times, they also lend credibility to the overall name of the school.”

  41. Weehawken Dance & Aerial — Montrose Dance, Aerial Silks and Arts Studio — Montrose, CO
    4.8 ★★★★★ 37 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  42. Metrowest Dance Academy — Framingham, MA
    4.8 ★★★★★ 36 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens · 4 student mentions

    “I followed Gemma Williams and Sarah Cerulo to Metrowest Dance Academy because of their professionalism and the quality of the dance classes taught under the RAD syllabus.”

  43. Academy of Dance — Springdale, AR
    4.8 ★★★★★ 35 reviews Free trial Kids & teens
  44. Coastal Dance Centre — Myrtle Beach, SC
    4.8 ★★★★★ 28 reviews Free trial Adult classes Kids & teens
  45. Dance Center of Spokane /Creative Mind Bright Minds-A Performing Arts Preschool — Spokane, WA
    4.8 ★★★★★ 27 reviews Kids & teens
  46. DANCENATION — Bakersfield, CA
    4.8 ★★★★★ 25 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons

    “Great dance school and rarely is a place where Royal Academy of Dance is offered.”

  47. NWA Conservatory of Classical Ballet — Bentonville, AR
    4.8 ★★★★★ 20 reviews Free trial Kids & teens Private lessons
  48. Royal Academy — Elk Grove Village, IL
    4.8 ★★★★★ 20 reviews Free trial Kids & teens · 2 student mentions

    “I highly recommend Royal Academy of Dance to everyone who is interested in learning how to dance and perform gymnastics tricks on the stage.”

  49. Pamela Hayes Classical Ballet — El Dorado Hills, CA
    4.8 ★★★★★ 16 reviews Kids & teens
  50. Academy of Classical Ballet - CALIFORNIA — Campbell, CA
    4.8 ★★★★★ 9 reviews Kids & teens
  51. Dancemania — Yorkville, NY
    4.8 ★★★★★ 6 reviews Kids & teens
  52. Heartland School of Dance — Grand Island, NE
    4.8 ★★★★★ 5 reviews Kids & teens
  53. Rachel's Ballet — Fremont, CA
    4.8 ★★★★★ 4 reviews Kids & teens

    “Really like they teach the Royal Academy of Dance sylbus.”

  54. Ballet Academy East — New York, NY
    4.7 ★★★★★ 116 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons
  55. Collierville Arts Academy — Collierville, TN
    4.7 ★★★★★ 47 reviews Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons

    “What I love about this studio is that the focus is on ballet and they follow the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus.”

  56. Patsy Watson School of Dance — Lansing, MI
    4.7 ★★★★★ 22 reviews Kids & teens Private lessons
  57. Belmont School of Ballet — Belmont, NC
    4.7 ★★★★★ 19 reviews Free trial Kids & teens

    “Porter are two that have been trained in the Royal Academy of Dance how to teach each child effectively.”

  58. Metropolitan School of the Arts — Alexandria, VA
    4.6 ★★★★★ 54 reviews Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons
  59. Intempo Dance — Katy, TX
    4.6 ★★★★★ 42 reviews Free trial Kids & teens Private lessons
  60. Charlotte School of Ballet — Charlotte, NC
    4.6 ★★★★★ 35 reviews Free trial Adult classes Kids & teens
  61. Studio 307 Dance Center — Rock Springs, WY
    4.6 ★★★★★ 26 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  62. June Taylor School of Dance — Tualatin, OR
    4.6 ★★★★★ 16 reviews Adult classes Kids & teens
  63. The Conservatory of Movement — Reno, NV
    4.6 ★★★★★ 9 reviews Kids & teens
  64. International Dance Academy — Sunrise, FL
    4.5 ★★★★★ 49 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens · 8 student mentions

    “The affiliation and preparation for the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus examinations surpasses any experience a young ballet student could have.”

  65. HDS Ballet — Richmond, TX
    4.5 ★★★★★ 34 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  66. Texas Ballet Theater School Richardson Studio — Richardson, TX
    4.5 ★★★★★ 15 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens Private lessons
  67. The Little Dance World — Hacienda Heights, CA
    4.5 ★★★★★ 11 reviews Kids & teens Private lessons
  68. Village Dance Arts — Claremont, CA
    4.5 ★★★★★ 10 reviews Kids & teens

    “They also are one of the few fully accredited dance schools that follow the Royal Academy of Dance curriculum, which is excellent.”

  69. Mallory Academy of Dance — Bakersfield, CA
    4.4 ★★★★☆ 20 reviews Kids & teens Private lessons

    “Our kids have had great experiences overall with the competition team as well as in RAD examinations.”

  70. Angela Van School of Ballet — Fremont, CA
    4.4 ★★★★☆ 10 reviews Kids & teens

    “This is a serious ballet school with an annual Royal Academy Of Dance Exam (RAD).”

  71. Texas Ballet Theater School Fort Worth Studio — Fort Worth, TX
    4.3 ★★★★☆ 22 reviews Free trial Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  72. Shore Ballet School — Island Heights, NJ
    4.3 ★★★★☆ 10 reviews Free trial Kids & teens
  73. Royal Academy of Ballet — Honolulu, HI
    4.2 ★★★★☆ 21 reviews Pointe Kids & teens Private lessons · 5 student mentions

    “My child has been with RAB for over 10 years, she loves RAB because it utilizes the syllabus and accreditation from the Royal Academy of Dance.”

  74. Deborah Messinger School of Dance — Troutdale, OR
    4.1 ★★★★☆ 37 reviews Free trial Pointe Kids & teens
  75. Santa Clarita Ballet Academy — Canyon Country, CA
    4 ★★★★☆ 31 reviews Kids & teens
  76. Los Angeles Ballet Academy — Sherman Oaks, CA
    4 ★★★★☆ 21 reviews Pointe Kids & teens
  77. Monmouth Academy of Ballet — Red Bank, NJ
    4 ★★★★☆ 12 reviews Pointe Adult classes Kids & teens
  78. Premiere Dance Center — Redmond, WA
    3.9 ★★★★☆ 36 reviews Free trial Adult classes Kids & teens

    “Eugenia, our instructor, is a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance of London and has 7 years of teaching experience in Barcelona.”

  79. 8062 La Mesa Blvd — La Mesa, CA
    Not enough Google reviews yet Private lessons
  80. Leatherstocking Ballet, Inc and School of Dance — Utica, NY
    Not enough Google reviews yet Kids & teens
  81. NWA Conservatory of Classical Ballet - Rogers — Rogers, AR
    Not enough Google reviews yet Kids & teens Private lessons
  82. Technically Ballet — Rocklin, CA
    Not enough Google reviews yet Free trial Pointe Kids & teens
  83. The Twinbrook School of Ballet — Rockville, MD
    Not enough Google reviews yet

Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) by state

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