FAQs

     In the fall of 2024, the Academy was endowed with a generous gift from The Grainger Foundation, changing its name from Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, to Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet. The decision to rename our Academy comes with a transformational benefit: the resources this partnership unlocks. The Grainger Foundation's generous $5 million gift will allow the Academy to invest in scholarships and expand outreach and accessibility programs— especially for students and their families who dream of opportunities to experience dance regardless of their financial means. While this is a substantial change, it's assured that the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet will continue to uphold the same artistic integrity, curriculum, and commitment to excellence that have long defined the Joffrey tradition. What remains unchanged is the dedication to nurturing the next generation of dancers and providing an environment where they can challenge themselves, grow, and ultimately flourish. You can read the press release with the full announcement here. 

The Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet is the only training program owned, operated or endorsed by The Joffrey Ballet. The Joffrey Ballet is not affiliated with any other dance training or school program, including the Joffrey Ballet School in New York. The Grainger Academy, located in the Exelon Education Center at Joffrey Tower in Chicago, Illinois, is the only school that follows the organizational mission, training syllabi, and artistic vision of The Joffrey Ballet. No other program, including those holding the Joffrey name, is sanctioned by The Joffrey Ballet. For more information, please contact Joffrey Reception at 312.784.4600.

The Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet has two locations in the heart of Chicago. 

Joffrey Tower

Located at 10 E Randolph St, our Academy studios can be found on the 3rd floor of Joffrey Tower. Joffrey Tower is located in the heart of Chicago’s loop, near most major public transportation, including the Chicago Transit Authority (Red, Brown, Green, Blue, Orange, and Purple lines).

South Loop Studios

Located at 1920 S Wabash, our Academy studios are located on the first floor of the building. Our South Loop studios are near both the Red and Green Chicago Transit Authority lines. 

Joffrey Tower

There is an Inter-Park self-parking garage located next to Joffrey Tower at 20 E Randolph St that charges by the hour. Individual parking stickers are available for purchase at Joffrey Reception. Pre-paid parking packs are available at Joffrey Reception as well. Individual parking stickers and parking packs are eligible for use after 3PM on weekdays and all day on weekends. 

Aside from the garage, there is paid street parking in the surrounding area. 

South Loop

Paid street parking is available on S Wabash and in the surrounding area. Additionally, there are several SpotHero spaces in the area. 

*SpotHero is an app on your phone in which you can reserve private parking spaces in the city. Prices vary.  

All of the Academy's breaks, holidays, and more can be found on the Academy Calendar here and listed under Schedules and Calendars on each program's page.

The Academy Newsletter is a monthly newsletter emailed out every first Tuesday of the month. Each month's edition includes important information, dates, opportunities, and more. The Newsletter is essential to students and families staying informed. To receive the newsletter, you must be an active student in the Academy. Non-Academy students are not able to receive the newsletter. Newsletters are sent to the email listed in Club Automation for the student who is registered. The newsletter is only able to be sent to one email per registered student. If you are a registered student and are not receiving the newsletter, please doublecheck your email in Club Automation and reach out to Reception should further help be needed. 

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The schedules of classes for Children’s, Dance Lab, and Pre-Professional Programs are intended to accommodate the academic schedules of our students. Students continue their education in a variety of ways. Some enroll in local schools, while others complete their coursework through correspondence with either their home school or an online university. Students in the Conservatory, Trainee, and Studio Company programs may consider distance learning programs if they have not yet received their high school degree. Students seeking online K-12 education should pursue this independently, as the Grainger Academy does not take any responsibility for arranging academic needs and does not provide an accredited program for the completion of high school. All academic arrangements are the responsibility of the student.

If a student or staff member contracts COVID-19, that person must follow CDC guidelines before returning to Joffrey property. Masks are not currently required on Joffrey property. People may choose to mask at any time. Any changes in mask requirements as identified by the CDC guidance will be communicated by The Joffrey Ballet. 

The Grainger Academy does not offer any refunds or credits for missed classes, withdrawal, or dismissal from the program. By registering for classes and programs, students agree that they are liable for the full amount indicated on any Grainger Academy materials and will adhere to any payment plans or scheduled payments put in place.

Adult Division Refund Policy: The Grainger Academy does not offer any refunds for missed or canceled classes, withdrawal, or dismissal from the class/program. By registering for classes and programs, students agree that they are liable for the full amount indicated on any Grainger Academy materials and will adhere to any payment plans or scheduled payments put in place.

All students participating in Grainger Academy programming are required to complete three forms: a Medical Exam, a Medical Waiver, and a Participant Liability Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreement. Participant Liability Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreements are signed upon registration. Please see below for details regarding our Medical Exam and Medical Waiver policy. 

Medical Forms Policy

The Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet requires all students to have a Medical Exam and Medical Waiver on file in order to participate in Grainger Academy programming, with the exception of students in the Adult Division. This is for the safety of the student and the Grainger Academy. Students who do not have all medical forms on file by their first class will be permitted to attend and observe class, however, will not be able to dance. Students may begin participating fully in classes once all medical forms have been submitted. Medical Exams must have been completed and signed within twelve (12) months of August 31 the year the student is registered for Grainger Academy programming. Students who are still missing forms after two (2) weeks of being enrolled in Grainger Academy programming will be un-registered from said programming. Forms only need to be submitted once per school year. New forms must be submitted at the start of each fall or at the time the new student joins the Grainger Academy. Blank copies of the Academy Medical Waiver and an Illinois State Medical Form can be found linked in the submission form. To find them, hover your mouse over the part of the form where you upload your files and the link will appear to the right. They are only accessible on a laptop or desktop computer and not on a mobile device. The Medical Exam does not have to be the Illinois State Medical Exam provided. The Grainger Academy will accept any medical exam form provided and completed by a licensed medical professional. Students and families may find the submission form linked in the Student and Families Handbook.

To participate in Grainger Academy programming, all students MUST submit a Medical Care Waiver and Medical Exam Form by their first class.

Students may receive either a scholarship or financial aid but will not be awarded both in the same semester/session. Scholarship and financial aid awards are only applicable to the programs they are assigned to. Students who have any type of need for financial assistance are encouraged to apply for financial aid.

The Grainger Academy does not currently offer a work-study program.

Financial Aid

A limited amount of need-based financial aid is available for students whose financial circumstances would limit their exposure to classical ballet and other dance forms. Anyone interested in being considered for financial aid must submit a complete application during the application window. Students from any program can apply for financial aid, with the exception of the Adult Division. Financial aid only applies to tuition. It does not apply to the registration fee, housing, attire, visas, or any other fees related to the program.

Financial Aid Application | Grainger Academy

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available each year to students in auditioned programs who have demonstrated extraordinary professional potential. Scholarships are merit-based and awarded at the discretion of the Artistic staff. Scholarships only apply to tuition. They do not apply to the registration fee, housing, attire, visas, or any other fees related to the program. If a student is awarded a scholarship, they will be notified in their acceptance letter. 

Students may receive either a scholarship or financial aid but will not be awarded both in the same semester/session. Scholarship and financial aid awards are only applicable to the programs they are assigned to. Students who have any type of need for financial assistance are encouraged to apply for financial aid.

Financial Aid

A limited amount of need-based financial aid is available for students whose financial circumstances would limit their exposure to classical ballet and other dance forms. Anyone interested in being considered for financial aid must submit a complete application during the application window. Students from any program can apply for financial aid, with the exception of the Adult Division. Financial aid only applies to tuition. It does not apply to the registration fee, housing, attire, visas, or any other fees related to the program.

Financial Aid Application | Grainger Academy

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available each year to students in auditioned programs who have demonstrated extraordinary professional potential. Scholarships are merit-based and awarded at the discretion of the Artistic staff. Scholarships only apply to tuition. They do not apply to the registration fee, housing, attire, visas, or any other fees related to the program. If a student is awarded a scholarship, they will be notified in their acceptance letter. 

Scholarships and financial aid only apply to tuition and do not cover housing or any other fees. All scholarship and financial aid students are responsible for any required fees for their program.

All Children’s Program classes from Toddler and Me through Ballet IA are age-based classes. Beginning at age 9, new students are required to take a trial class to determine their placement in the Children's, Dance Lab, or Pre-Professional programs. Acceptance into the Conservatory, Trainee, Studio Company, or Summer Intensive programs is by audition only. Placement in the Academy is at the sole discretion of the artistic staff and directors.

Private lessons are offered to Academy students at the discretion of the Academy artistic staff and are dependent upon regular attendance in the classes in which the student is already enrolled. The price of the lesson will include a studio rental fee as well as the Faculty member’s rate for private lessons. Faculty pricing for private lessons is at the discretion of the instructor. Please contact Joffrey Reception at [email protected] to schedule a lesson or for more details. 

The Adult Division is the only program at the Academy that offers classes on a drop-in basis, however, pre-registration is required for each class. Students can pre-register online through their Club Automation account as early as 7 days in advance and up to 5 minutes before the class begins. All classes fill on a first-come, first-served basis.

Classes on pointe may be permitted for intermediate and advanced Adult Division students only at the discretion of the faculty and Academy Artistic Team. Pointe work will not be permitted at beginning ballet levels.

Adult Pointe is in an Enrollment Class Series, not a drop-in class. Enrollment Class Series are not available for online pre-registration due to required instructor permission. Students interested in joining an enrollment class series should express interest to reception and their teacher. Once receiving permission, they may join the following week. 

Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is the Internet system that maintains information on nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors. The fee-supported system enables schools and program sponsors to transmit information to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor’s stay in the United States. This information includes status changes such as admission at Port of Entry, change of address, change in program of study, and other details.

The Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students with M-1 visas.

An M-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that is used by those who wish to study in the United States temporarily for vocational reasons.

Only students accepted to the Studio Company, Trainee Program, and Pre-Professional Division Levels V and VI qualify for an M-1 visa.

The Grainger Academy will ensure that qualifying students go through the proper steps to apply for a visa, however, visa approval cannot be guaranteed.

You can enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the start of your intended program.

The M-1 visas are issued for specific program lengths. Students will have 30 additional days after their program ends to prepare and leave the country.

With a valid I-20 and valid I-94, a student can enter and exit the U.S. freely.

A student cannot work unless they have written permission from USCIS.

Initial Steps: Fill out the Grainger Academy information form; Receive I-20 form from the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet; Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee of $200. Apply for a visa: Apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Schedule an Interview: Schedule an interview; Gather and prepare all documents for visa interview.

U.S. Department of State

U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement

Students with questions should contact Joffrey Reception at [email protected].

Yes, all students are required to have health insurance while attending the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet. You can use a health insurance company of your choice or you can use one of our two approved insurance companies, International Student Insurance (ISI) or ISO Student Health Insurance. Quotes can be obtained at either of the Grainger Academy’s program landing pages:

ISI: https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/school_requirements/7108/Joffrey_Academy_of_Dance.html

ISO: www.isoa.org - select “International student,” type “Joffrey Academy of Dance (IL),” and select student date of birth

Students who participate in ISI plans will have access to Rush Hospital, Joffrey’s medical partner, through the United Healthcare network.