Did my teachers place me in the right level?

If your teachers are qualified, the answer to this question is almost certainly “yes.”  If you are repeating a level or have been moved to a lower level, it is because your skills and abilities would benefit most from a year of instruction at that level.  It is exceedingly rare for a teacher to make a mistake with such an important decision or take it as an opportunity to offend you on purpose.  In this post, I will give you some tips on how to cope with being placed in a lower level than you had hoped.

1.  It’s ok to be disappointed.  If you are really unhappy, try not to discuss level placement with too many other dancers.  Try not to cry or outwardly express strong emotions until you get home.  Take the rest of the day to get your feelings under control.

2.  Be honest with yourself.  If you struggled to pick up the dance at last season’s recital, it will be really helpful to your overall dance education to stay in the same level for another year.  Even if you are no longer in class with your friends, dance will be more fun if it is geared to your level and isn’t too challenging.  At most dance schools and studios, teachers and directors carefully consider your ability and technique to place you.  They select the level that is best for you based on numerous factors, which can include things like attendance and attitude in addition to ability.  It's very, very rare teachers to make the wrong choice.  

3.  It's ok if you don't understand exactly why you have been placed in a certain level.  It's also ok to ask your teacher or studio director for specifics on things to work on.  Find a quiet time to talk to your teachers privately.  You should start the conversation yourself, not your parent (it can be seen as pushy and inappropriate for a parent to campaign for a child’s promotion).  Make sure you are very polite as you tell your teacher how you feel.  Frame the conversation around self-development, not level.  Ask what you can do to improve in the future, or if there are specific skills that you can work on.  Do not bring up other dancers, and DO NOT use phrases like “I think I’m as good as (name) who got promoted.”

Most teachers will be ok with counseling you a little bit.  Expect to hear a couple of things that need work before you're ready for promotion.  Do not expect an in depth explanation of how the level system works at the studio, and don't expect an entire run-down of what you do well and what you struggle with.  Always thank your teacher for any information shared, and end the conversation shortly after that.  It can be seen as rude or pushy to ask too many questions related to your level.

4.  If you really feel like you were mis-leveled, attend the class you were assigned anyway.  It's rare for mis-leveling to happen, but it can be the case (especially if you are new to the studio and something exceptional happened the day of the placement audition, like you were sick or hurt).  If you go to your assigned class and it's clear that the level is way too easy for you, the teacher and studio director will probably speak to you about moving to a different class.  Remember that it can take a few days or classes for teachers to get to know you, so re-leveling may not happen right away.  Also, keep in mind that re-leveling is at the teachers' discretion, not yours or your parents'.

If you are not re-leveled, try to enjoy the class you are in.  It's always helpful to improve basics.  Can your turnout improve?  Flexibility increase?  Always!  It's always a great move to return to the basics for strong dance technique.  It can also be more enjoyable if you can confidently perform combinations without struggling to get the steps.

5.  If you were moved up to the next level but it feels too hard, talk to your teacher.  Ask, "Do you really feel like I'm ready for level 4?  I'm finding it very challenging."  Most teachers will say that they have confidence in you.  Ask if you can take the previous level's classes in addition to your new level's classes to help you keep up your technique.