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The School
Guidelines for Going en Pointe
To begin pointe training students must be physically mature. Most children are ready sometime between the ages of 10 and 12. Ultimately it is the instructor who decides whether a student is ready for pointe work. Most students need at least four years of serious ballet training before they are technically ready (pre-ballet is not considered part of this training). In addition, HPSD requires students to pass a written exam of ballet terminology. Students who graduate to pointe are required to take a minimum of three 90 minute technique classes in addition to pointe class. New pointe students are evaluated during the first week to assure placement in the proper level.