For families in Brentwood, NY, serious ballet training typically means a 5:30 a.m. wake-up call, the Long Island Rail Road, and homework done on the 7:16 a.m. train to Penn Station. The nearest world-class pre-professional programs are not local—but they are accessible, and dedicated young dancers from Suffolk County are increasingly making the commute to build careers on stage.
If your child is showing real promise in ballet, understanding the landscape of elite training options reachable from Brentwood is essential. Below are five institutions that regularly train dancers from Long Island, along with what distinguishes each program, how to get there, and what the path realistically looks like.
The School of American Ballet (SAB) — Upper West Side, Manhattan
Commute from Brentwood: ~1 hour 20 minutes via LIRR to Penn Station, then the 1/2/3 subway to 66th Street.
Founded by George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein in 1934, the School of American Ballet holds the distinction of being the official training school of New York City Ballet. This is not a recreational studio—it is a highly selective, full-time pre-professional program for students ages 8 to 18.
Admission is by audition only, with prospective students evaluated for physical aptitude, musicality, and potential. The curriculum is built on the Balanchine aesthetic: speed, precision, and an emphasis on off-balance, athletic movement. For those who make it through, the pipeline is direct. SAB alumni who began as Long Island commuters include Tiler Peck, now a principal dancer with New York City Ballet, who entered SAB's advanced division at age 15.
Tuition runs approximately $3,500–$6,500 annually depending on level, with need-based financial aid available. Summer intensive auditions are held regionally, including at satellite locations that may spare Brentwood families an initial Manhattan trip.
The Joffrey Ballet School — Greenwich Village & Midtown, Manhattan
Commute from Brentwood: ~1 hour 15 minutes via LIRR to Penn Station, then subway or brief walk to multiple studio locations.
Where SAB is deeply rooted in one choreographic tradition, the Joffrey Ballet School deliberately bridges classical and contemporary ballet. Founded in 1953, Joffrey trains dancers for versatility—a necessity in today's job market, where repertory companies demand proficiency in neoclassical, modern, and even commercial dance styles.
Joffrey offers year-round pre-professional programs, children's divisions, and a widely attended summer intensive. The school maintains multiple Manhattan locations and has developed a reputation for welcoming dedicated students from outer suburbs and beyond. Notable alumni include Davis Robertson, former Joffrey Ballet principal, and countless dancers who have gone on to companies spanning BalletMet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Broadway.
For Brentwood families, Joffrey's flexible scheduling across locations can make commuting more manageable than a single-campus program. Annual tuition for the pre-professional division ranges from roughly $4,000–$7,500.
American Ballet Theatre's Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School — Upper East Side, Manhattan
Commute from Brentwood: ~1 hour 25 minutes via LIRR to Penn Station, then the 6 train to 86th Street.
The JKO School, named for the former First Lady and longtime ABT board member, is the official school of American Ballet Theatre. Its identity is centered on the ABT National Training Curriculum, a comprehensive eight-level program emphasizing classical ballet technique, pointe work, partnering, and character dance.
What sets the JKO School apart for career-focused students is its proximity to ABT's main company. Advanced students regularly take company classes, and exceptional graduates may be invited into ABT Studio Company, the direct feeder into the main troupe. Alumni such as Hee Seo, a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, came through this system.
The school accepts students ages 12 to 18 for its pre-professional division and holds national auditions for its summer intensives. Tuition is approximately $5,000–$7,000 per year. For families weighing the commute, the potential visibility to one of America's largest ballet companies is a significant draw.
Ballet Academy East — Upper East Side, Manhattan
Commute from Brentwood: ~1 hour 15 minutes via LIRR to Penn Station, then the 6 train to 79th Street.
Ballet Academy East (BAE) occupies a unique space between the massive institutional schools and smaller regional studios. Founded in 1979, BAE runs a rigorous pre-professional division alongside a professional company, allowing advanced students to perform in fully staged productions with live orchestras—a rarity at the student level.
BAE is particularly well-regarded for its training
