Summer Intensives

Current students in our Children's and Dance Lab programs who are interested in attending a Summer Intensive will need to attend an audition. 

Our expectation for our intensives is that students will participate in the entire program and their experience will culminate with the final presentation at the end of the program. However, we understand that the summer season can be a very busy time for families and we are willing to address this issue on a case-by-case basis. Please note that tuition must still be paid in full for all students beginning late or leaving a program early. Please contact [email protected] to request late entry or early dismissal from a program. Note that due to limited capacities on programs this year, participating students may be required to complete their entire program.

Students and families are responsible for their own transportation from the airport to the dorms and will not be greeted by Grainger Academy staff at the airports. Chaperones will be available to supervise students only once they arrive at the dorms on the official check-in day. If you are not comfortable with your student getting a cab on their own, we suggest getting a car service. Someone from the car service will go into the airport with a sign of your student’s name, and safely escort them to the car, help with baggage, and drive them to their location. Car services can be booked in advance.

Transportation from the airports to downtown Chicago can be arranged by CTA trains and buses, cabs, or car services. Cabs are available curbside at either Midway or O’Hare International Airports. CTA train maps and schedules can be found by visiting: transitchicago.com

Students should be prepared for all classes on the first day. They should have their tights and leotard, ballet shoes and pointe shoes (if applicable), jazz and character shoes (if applicable), and any warm-ups they would like to have with them. The Grainger Academy recommends that each student bring a water bottle and nut-free snacks. All students will either need to pack a lunch (with an ice pack) or students ages 15+ have the option to purchase lunch locally (students ages 15-17 must have a signed Liability Waiver and travel in groups of 3). For a complete recommended packing list, please refer to the Orientation Packet that is emailed prior to arrival.

Injured students should observe class unless they are unable to do so. For students staying in the dorms, there will be a chaperone stationed there to stay with sick/injured students. If students are unable to get to class, students must call our Attendance Hotline at 312.784.4698. Failure to notify us of an absence may lead to a strike being issued against the student. Students who will be late to class or leave class early must inform the Academy. Late arrivals and early dismissals can be reported to Reception at 312.784.4600 or [email protected]. 

Students with injuries should speak with their instructor, chaperone (if applicable), and Academy administrative staff so they are informed of any restrictions. 

The Grainger Academy maintains a “three strikes” policy during summer intensive programs. Any misconduct will be counted as a strike and an incident report will be completed to record each rule violation. When a student receives their second strike, families will be contacted and teachers will be informed. A student who has three strikes will be dismissed from the program without a refund. 

Due to the number of students and faculty involved for our Summer Intensive programs, no written evaluations will be issued for the Summer Intensives. Summer Intensive faculty evaluates students on a continual basis throughout the program and offer corrections as needed during classes. 

An audition class will be held for year-round programs during select intensives. Students who are interested in becoming a Grainger Academy student during the year should attend this audition. Students whose intensive does not include an audition class should speak to Joffrey Reception about their interest in our year-round programs.

The Advanced Summer Intensive: 5 Week, Advanced Summer Intensive: 3 Week, and Junior Summer Intensive Level 3 offer housing options where students will be supervised by Academy Chaperones. Housing includes chaperone supervision and breakfast and dinner each day.

Academy chaperones are required to be with their students at all times outside of Joffrey property with the exception of students age 15 and up with signed liability waivers. Students and chaperones will be expected to get to and from class as a group. Academy chaperones are also responsible for acting as role models and mentors to their students and maintaining an open door policy to help address all student concerns. Chaperones and Grainger Academy staff are in communication on a daily basis about students. 

Students over the age of 18 are not required to be with a chaperone at all times. However, students are expected to abide by the rules and regulations set forth by their chaperones and the dormitory. Students who are 18 and over who violate any of these rules will be issued a strike as outlined in the discipline policy.

This form allows dorm students between the ages of 15 and 17 to be off campus without the supervision of a chaperone by permission of their guardian, however, students with a signed liability form must still abide by the rules:

Students must be in a group of 3 or more any time they are off campus.

Students must check in and out with Chaperones when they will be leaving campus.

Students must provide Chaperones exact details of where they will be going, who they are going with, and when they will return.

Students must return by building curfew (9pm Sunday-Thursday, 10pm Friday and Saturday) and be checked in with a Chaperone.

Students may only go up to 20 minutes walking distance of the dorms or Joffrey Tower.

Under no circumstance are students to use public transportation unless accompanied by an Academy Chaperone.

Should a student engage in any illegal activity while off campus, it is grounds for their dismissal from the program. No refund or compensation will be made for early dismissal and any costs incurred through dismissal will be the responsibility of the student/parents.

Check-in is the Sunday before the program starts, and check-out is the Saturday after the program ends. The exact times of check-in and check-out will be emailed to students after registration. Students can also check-out on the Friday night after the final presentation. Grainger Academy staff, chaperones, and dorm housing staff are not responsible for students or their luggage who arrive early to check-in for the dorms.

Students residing at University Center must live in a shared bedroom with one roommate. A bathroom is shared among two rooms, for four students total.  There are no single rooms available for Summer Intensive students. Students wishing to reside alone must secure housing on their own, and will not be supervised by a chaperone. 

Students will be placed in suites/rooms based on program, age, and gender. Students will be placed with other students in their same program who are the same age or close in age.

Students can request roommates during registration. Both students must request each other as roommates in order for a request to be accepted. The Grainger Academy will try to accommodate these requests, but they are not guaranteed. 

Yes, students may receive mail at University Center as early as move-in day. Pre-move-in packages will not be accepted or guaranteed. Room numbers will be assigned and provided prior to move-in day. Please address envelopes or packages as:

Attn: University Center525 S. State Street Chicago, IL 60605  

Yes. Students interested in attending a religious service on the weekend should let their chaperone know at the beginning of the program. If possible, chaperones will arrange a drop-off and pick-up time or accompany the student to the services depending on the situation.