Paris Opera Ballet School
The Paris Opera Ballet School, officially known as the École de Danse de l'Opéra national de Paris, represents the pinnacle of classical ballet training worldwide. Founded in 1713 by Louis XIV, it stands as the oldest ballet school in continuous operation, having shaped the art form itself over three centuries. Located in the magnificent Palais Garnier complex, this legendary institution has produced generations of dance luminaries who have graced the world's most prestigious stages. The school admits only the most exceptional young dancers, typically between ages 8 and 12, through an extraordinarily rigorous audition process that evaluates physical attributes, musicality, and artistic potential. Each year, thousands of candidates compete for approximately 20-30 places, making it one of the most selective performing arts institutions globally. Students who gain admission enter a world where classical technique, artistry, and discipline converge in pursuit of perfection. The Paris Opera Ballet School maintains an unwavering commitment to the French school of ballet, characterized by elegance, precision, and ethereal quality that distinguishes it from other national styles. While honoring its historical traditions, the institution has evolved to prepare dancers for the demands of contemporary repertoire while preserving the classical foundation that defines the Paris Opera Ballet's distinctive aesthetic.
- Acceptance Rate
- 65.0%
- SAT Range
- 1050–1250
- ACT Range
- N/A
- Avg GPA
- 3.25
- Size
- N/A
- Type
- N/A
- Student:Faculty
- N/A
- Setting
- N/A
- Graduation Rate
- N/A
- Retention Rate
- N/A
- Tuition (In-State)
- N/A
- Tuition (Int'l)
- N/A
Student Life & Environment
Life at Paris Opera Ballet School revolves entirely around dance, with students following structured daily schedules that begin with morning classes and extend into afternoon rehearsals and academic study. The school's Nanterre campus provides purpose-built facilities including multiple dance studios, academic classrooms, dormitories for boarding students, and physical therapy services. Students live in a cocoon-like environment designed to nurture their development as dancers while protecting them from distractions. The boarding community creates close bonds among students who share the intensity of their training and the singular focus of their ambitions. Despite the demanding schedule, students find time for friendships, quiet recreation, and the normal concerns of growing up. The school organizes outings and cultural activities, recognizing that well-rounded young people make better artists. Students attend performances at Palais Garnier and Opera Bastille, watching the company they aspire to join and learning from watching professionals at work. Older students appear in Paris Opera Ballet productions, experiencing the thrill and pressure of performing before thousands. Medical and psychological support helps students cope with the physical and emotional demands of intensive training during crucial developmental years. The small size of each class cohort means everyone knows everyone, creating a familial atmosphere within an institution known for exacting standards.
Location & Surroundings
The school's location in Nanterre places students just west of Paris proper, with easy access to the cultural riches of the French capital while maintaining a focused training environment separate from the city's distractions. The purpose-built campus provides everything students need for their daily lives and training, though the proximity to Paris means world-class cultural experiences are just a short train ride away. Students regularly travel into the city to watch performances, visit museums, and experience the broader artistic life that informs their development as dancers. Paris itself needs little introduction as a cultural capital, with the Paris Opera occupying pride of place in the city's performing arts scene. The Palais Garnier, the ornate 19th-century opera house that inspired the Phantom of the Opera, and the modern Opera Bastille together host the Paris Opera Ballet's performances throughout the season. Students training at the school grow up knowing these theaters intimately, performing on their stages from relatively young ages and understanding them as the eventual destination for their years of preparation. The French capital's museums, from the Louvre to the Musee d'Orsay, provide visual education that complements dance training, while the city's history of artistic innovation surrounds students with inspiration.
Costs & Career Outcomes
Paris Opera Ballet School operates as part of the Paris Opera, a French national institution receiving significant government funding. This public support keeps tuition costs lower than they might otherwise be for such specialized training. French citizens and residents access the school under favorable terms, while international students face different fee structures. The school provides boarding facilities essential for students whose families do not live nearby, with fees covering room and board during the academic year. Financial assistance exists for families who cannot afford the full cost of attendance, recognizing that ballet talent appears across all economic backgrounds. The ultimate goal for Paris Opera Ballet School students is joining the Paris Opera Ballet, and those who succeed become part of one of dance's most prestigious ensembles. The company employs its own graduates almost exclusively in the corps de ballet, creating a direct pipeline from school to company. Dancers who join progress through ranks from quadrille to coryphee to sujet and potentially to first dancer and etoile, the company's highest distinction. Students who do not join the Paris Opera Ballet graduate with training that opens doors at major companies worldwide. Alumni dance with American Ballet Theatre, the Royal Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, and leading companies across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
Campus Location
Explore More
See your match score for Paris Opera Ballet School
Find out how you compare to admitted students with a personalized admission assessment.
See your match score — Sign up free