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Metropolitan School of the Arts

4.6 ★★★★★ 54 Google reviews · Ballet school in Alexandria, Virginia

Kids & teens Pointe Private lessons Pre-professional

Plan your first class

  • Ages classes for ages 3–12 — check the schedule for the right level for your dancer
  • Class price classes around $25 — many studios bill by term or month instead, so ask about tuition and any trial rate
  • Pointe pointe and pre-pointe work for dancers who are ready — the pre-pointe strengthening comes first
  • Pre-professional a serious, conservatory-style track for committed students aiming high
  • Recitals end-of-year performances and shows — ask about costume and performance fees when you enroll
  • Summer intensive holiday and summer intensive programs — these fill early, so ask about dates and auditions
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — ask about rates and availability
  • Today see hours ·
  • Phone +1 703-339-0444
  • Website & schedule metropolitanarts.org — enroll and see the live class schedule

Hours

Monday 9 am–9 pm
Tuesday 9 am–9 pm
Wednesday 9 am–9 pm
Thursday 9 am–9 pm
Friday 9 am–8 pm
Saturday 9 am–2 pm
Sunday Closed

Studio hours shift for holidays, recitals, and term schedules — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The programs they offer

Ballet programs on the schedule at Metropolitan School of the Arts, confirmed in families' own reviews and the studio's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🌸 Kids Ballet 19 mentions

“AND as an added bonus if your child is taking classes at the Metropolitan School of the Arts, they will walk your kids to their lessons and bring them back again.”

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Pre-Professional

“Both daughters now participate in their pre-professional companies which provide additional instruction and performance opportunities.”

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☀️ Summer Intensives

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How they train

The training methods and syllabi Metropolitan School of the Arts teaches, drawn from their own info and students' reviews — the quickest way to tell how a studio approaches classical technique.

Methods are mined from the studio's own info and reviews — they tell you the approach, not a formal certification or exam board. If a specific syllabus matters to you, confirm it with the studio before enrolling.

What families & students say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 54 Google reviews — with their own words as proof.

🧸 wonderful with young kids 4 mentions

“Additionally, we participated in the spring break camp and my son had a blast! He loved the different field trips each day.”

💛 nurturing, non-competitive 5 mentions

“Our daughter has attended for the past few years and as a family, we really enjoy the whole experience.”

🎭 beautiful recitals & performances 10 mentions

“Their productions are top notch as I was personally blown away by amount of effort and the creativity behind these performances.”

serious pre-professional training 2 mentions

“This non-competition, student-first, dance studio was life-changing for our now college-age daughter, instilling in her an expected lifelong love of dance.”

🗓️ well-run & communicative 4 mentions

“Both daughters now participate in their pre-professional companies which provide additional instruction and performance opportunities.”

From the reviews

I go to the Academy at Metropolitan, and it is truly amazing. The teachers pay very close attention to what they think is good for you, and let you personalize you experience. The school teachers allow you to work wherever, and help you in a more personalized way.

★★★★★ — Anya, Oct 2016

My daughter attends a dance class every week at the studio as well as the after school program, MetroClub. She loves every second of it. MetroClub is not like any other after school program out there. It's engaging and full of new experiences centered around the fine arts.

★★★★★ — Kelly, Nov 2016

My son was involved in METROCLUB after school during kindergarten. We were very happy with the program and the staff. I was excited for my son to be exposed to music, arts, and dancing, which weren't things he had prior experience with. He enjoyed being there every day and had fun working on different craft projects.

★★★★★ — Lindsey, Oct 2016

My daughters have danced at MSA for the last decade. They have excellent teachers, and a wide variety of classes. Dancers are able to participate in number of performances, both as a part of the regular classes or audition opportunities to perform in the yearly Nutcracker and Spring Production.

★★★★★ — Carey, Jan 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 54 reviews →

Your first ballet class at Metropolitan School of the Arts

Nervous about walking into your first class? Almost everyone is — and a good studio expects beginners, whether your dancer is five or you're returning at fifty. Here's what to know. What to wear: comfortable clothes you can move in, with socks or bare feet; a leotard and tights are nice if you have them, but not required, and pointe shoes are years down the road — never day one. What to expect: class usually starts at the barre with slow, simple movements to warm up, then moves to the center — follow along, copy the teacher, and don't worry about getting it "right" the first time. Arrive early: come 10–15 minutes ahead to change, find a spot, and let the teacher know it's a first class so they can keep an eye out. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

Ballet is for every age and every body. If you're returning from an injury or have a health concern, mention it to the teacher before class so they can offer modifications.

Where to find Metropolitan School of the Arts

5775 Barclay Dr, Alexandria, VA22315

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and student reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this studio? Claim your listing — it's free.