Ballet is one of the most beautiful yet demanding art forms, requiring years of disciplined training to master. If you’re an aspiring dancer looking for the best ballet schools to learn and refine your technique, choosing the right institution can make all the difference.

Over the years, I’ve had the chance to visit some of the world’s top ballet academies, each offering a unique approach to training. Below, I’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the top 20 ballet schools worldwide, including the most prestigious institutions and some hidden gems that deserve more recognition.

1. The Royal Ballet School – London, UK

📍 Location: London, United Kingdom
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One of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world, The Royal Ballet School is known for producing legendary dancers like Darcey Bussell and Carlos Acosta. Situated in Covent Garden, it has strong ties to The Royal Ballet, making it an ideal place for dancers aiming for elite training and performance opportunities.

2. Vaganova Ballet Academy – St. Petersburg, Russia

📍 Location: St. Petersburg, Russia
This school is synonymous with the Vaganova method, one of the most widely recognized ballet techniques. With alumni like Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov, the Vaganova Ballet Academy is regarded as one of the most challenging yet rewarding ballet institutions worldwide.

3. Paris Opera Ballet School – Paris, France

📍 Location: Paris, France
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The Paris Opera Ballet School has over 300 years of history, emphasizing the French ballet technique known for its precision, elegance, and artistry. Graduates often join the Paris Opera Ballet, making it one of the best ballet schools to learn classical technique.

4. School of American Ballet (SAB) – New York, USA

📍 Location: New York City, USA
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Founded by George Balanchine, SAB is the official school of New York City Ballet, specializing in Balanchine technique—known for fast footwork, musicality, and expressiveness.

5. Bolshoi Ballet Academy – Moscow, Russia

📍 Location: Moscow, Russia
One of the most famous ballet institutions in the world, the Bolshoi Ballet Academy focuses on dramatic expression and powerful technique. The Bolshoi method is distinct for its athleticism and grace, making its graduates highly sought after.

6. John Cranko School – Stuttgart, Germany

📍 Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Affiliated with Stuttgart Ballet, this school emphasizes both classical and contemporary ballet. It’s well-known for producing versatile dancers who thrive in a variety of dance styles.

7. Canada’s National Ballet School – Toronto, Canada

📍 Location: Toronto, Canada
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With a focus on technical excellence and artistic development, Canada’s National Ballet School produces dancers that go on to join top ballet companies across the world.

8. Australian Ballet School – Melbourne, Australia

📍 Location: Melbourne, Australia
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The official school of The Australian Ballet, this institution provides top-tier training with an emphasis on stage performance and artistry.

9. La Scala Theatre Ballet School – Milan, Italy

📍 Location: Milan, Italy
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This school is housed within the legendary La Scala Theatre, making it a dream for dancers who wish to train in a historical European ballet setting.

10. National Ballet School of Cuba – Havana, Cuba

📍 Location: Havana, Cuba
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With a unique blend of Russian, French, and Cuban ballet techniques, this school is known for its powerful jumps, strong technical execution, and expressive performances.

11. Princess Grace Academy – Monte Carlo, Monaco

📍 Location: Monte Carlo, Monaco
This exclusive school provides individualized attention and a rigorous training program, producing dancers that often join top European companies.

12. Royal Danish Ballet School – Copenhagen, Denmark

📍 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
Famous for Bournonville technique, which emphasizes grace, musicality, and storytelling, this school is a cornerstone of Scandinavian ballet training.

13. Joffrey Ballet School – New York City, USA

📍 Location: New York City, USA
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A versatile training academy offering programs in classical, contemporary, jazz, and modern dance, this school prepares dancers for the dynamic demands of today’s dance world.

14. Palucca University of Dance – Dresden, Germany

📍 Location: Dresden, Germany
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A leading institution for contemporary ballet, Palucca University is known for its innovative approach to dance training.

15. San Francisco Ballet School – San Francisco, USA

📍 Location: San Francisco, USA
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The official school of the San Francisco Ballet, this institution blends classical and contemporary training with excellent performance opportunities.

16. Ecole Supérieure de Danse de Cannes Rosella Hightower – Cannes, France

📍 Location: Cannes, France
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With a strong emphasis on multicultural ballet education, this school produces well-rounded dancers prepared for international careers.

17. New Zealand School of Dance – Wellington, New Zealand

📍 Location: Wellington, New Zealand
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The best ballet school in New Zealand, offering training in both classical and contemporary dance.

18. Hungarian Dance Academy – Budapest, Hungary

📍 Location: Budapest, Hungary
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One of Central Europe’s top ballet schools, producing dancers known for their precision and artistry.

19. The Rock School for Dance Education – Philadelphia, USA

📍 Location: Philadelphia, USA
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A competitive training ground known for producing dancers who excel in international ballet competitions.

20. Ellison Ballet – New York City, USA

📍 Location: New York City, USA
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A prestigious academy focusing on pure classical ballet training, producing dancers with exceptional technique.

Final Thoughts: Which Ballet School is Right for You?

Whether you’re drawn to the prestige of the Paris Opera Ballet School, the rigorous training of Vaganova Academy, or the versatile approach of Joffrey Ballet School, there is a perfect ballet academy for every aspiring dancer.

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📌 Which of these schools do you dream of training at? Let me know in the comments!