We are proud to use Leap N’ Learn curriculum in all our Intro and Ballet classes up through Primary 2. Beyond developing skilled and artistic dancers, Leap ‘N Learn cultivates curious, imaginative, and respectful lifelong learners. We believe in the magic of childhood – it's all about letting kids be little while giving them the best start in life. Leap 'N Learn isn't just a bunch of exercises - it's a teaching method.

Developed by experts, the curriculum was created with children's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development in mind, integrated with on-the-ground knowledge of what sparks joy, excitement and curiosity in our youngest dancers.

A Whole-Child Approach

A whole child approach acknowledges the bigger picture of education and childhood experience. Leap ‘N Learn acknowledges the unique differences of children and supports them to develop physical, cognitive, emotional and cultural skills they’ll use for life — all through dance!

Engaging, Fun, and Effective.

Student engagement is embedded into every part of a Leap ‘N Learn class, from their first steps in the studio door and into their warmup, to transitions between exercises and dancing onstage. Our early childhood dance classes focus on making dance FUN, through playful activities that help dancers learn dance technique and actually enjoy it.

Built and Backed by Childhood Specialists

As our dancers grow they build upon a solid foundation of fun, playful early years dance education built by early childhood specialists. Developed by an expert dance teacher, a child psychologist, and a doctoral researcher in children’s dance education, Leap ‘N Learn blends real classroom experience with academic theories and evidence based research.

At the upper levels of ballet training at Academy 8:31, dancers benefit from a uniquely crafted curriculum that reflects over four decades of teaching experience and a deep understanding of developmental dance education. Drawing from the structure of Dance Studio Syllabus — where we are proud to serve as a Contributing Educator — our program integrates classical ballet technique with purposeful progressions that support both artistry and longevity in dance. We weave in Leap ‘N Learn philosophy to ensure dancers continue to train with body awareness and emotional intelligence, even as the technical demands increase.

The result is a ballet program that fosters a lifelong love of ballet while balancing precision and grace. Our commitment to high-quality, age-appropriate instruction ensures that every dancer is challenged, supported, and inspired — in a curriculum that is as intentional as it is rigorous.

Our Jazz curriculum is built around Dance Studio Syllabus — a thoughtfully designed, developmentally‑appropriate program that brings both structure and sparkle to every level of jazz dancer. This curriculum provides clear, progressive skill‑building blocks — from isolations and alignment, to kicks, leaps, turns and full combinations — ensuring dancers gain strength, coordination, and confidence every step of the way. It blends the discipline of ballet technique with the rhythm, musicality, and theatrical flair that make Jazz so compelling, giving students tools that transfer across all dance forms.

Beyond technical mastery, our jazz curriculum fosters creativity, self‑expression, and performance quality — nurturing well‑rounded dancers who are not only technically sound but also artistic and expressive. Above all, parents can feel confident knowing the curriculum supports physical safety and prevents injury by emphasizing proper alignment and gradual progression — all taught through fun, engaging lessons that keep students excited to return to class.

Our Tap program is rooted in the Tap Roots curriculum — a rhythm-based program that helps students not only master foundational tap techniques, but also develop a deep sense of musicality, timing, and coordination. Tap Roots places strong emphasis on body awareness, pattern recognition, and sound clarity, allowing dancers to progress with confidence while learning to treat their feet like instruments.

As students grow through the levels, they build not just speed and complexity, but also artistry and control — all within a fun and engaging classroom setting. Parents can expect their child to develop discipline, focus, and a love of rhythm that supports success in and out of the studio!