Dance

New Bedford Public Schools offers dance instruction during the school day for elementary students. In these classes, children explore movement through play, creativity, and imagination. Students learn to move safely and expressively while discovering how dance can tell stories, share feelings, and work with music and space.
Aligned with the Massachusetts Arts Frameworks for Dance, students learn as young dance artists by creating, performing, responding to, and connecting through movement. Through a variety of dance experiences, students build body awareness, coordination, rhythm, and expressive movement while developing confidence, communication skills, and collaboration with others.

New Bedford Public Schools offers dance instruction during the school day for middle school students. Classes build on elementary-level movement skills and introduce more structured technique, choreography, and performance experiences. Students explore a variety of dance styles while learning to express ideas, emotions, and stories through movement.
Aligned with the Massachusetts Arts Frameworks for Dance, students work as developing dance artists by creating original movement, performing individually and collaboratively, responding to and analyzing dance, and connecting their experiences to culture, history, and their own lives. Through these experiences, students strengthen body awareness, coordination, rhythm, musicality, and expressive movement, while also building confidence, communication skills, and collaboration.

New Bedford Public Schools offers comprehensive dance instruction for high school students, providing advanced training in technique, choreography, performance, and production. Classes challenge students to refine their skills in a variety of dance styles, explore creative expression, and develop leadership in collaborative performances.
Aligned with the Massachusetts Arts Frameworks for Dance, students engage as proficient dance artists by creating complex movement, performing with intention and artistry, analyzing and responding to dance works, and connecting their practice to culture, history, and contemporary issues. Through sustained rehearsal, performance, and reflection, students develop strength, coordination, musicality, expressive movement, and choreographic skills. The program prepares students for continued study or careers in dance after graduation—including college dance programs, community and professional performance, choreography, and related creative fields—while fostering confidence, collaboration, and artistic independence.

Dance students from across the district have the opportunity to participate in the New Bedford Public Schools’ Annual Dance Festival. Featuring student performances and showcases of outstanding work from their dance classes and after-school ensembles, the festival celebrates the creativity, skill, and dedication of all NBPS dance students and teachers.

Elementary School Dance Staff

Ashley Clark – Pulaski ES

Rachel Machado – Carney ES, Gomes ES

Rachel Mello – Hayden-McFadden ES, Lincoln ES

Middle School Dance Staff

Olivia Aguiar – Normandin MS

Jennifer Jones – Keith MS

Addison Kaeterle – Roosevelt MS

High School Dance Staff

Rebecca Juarez – New Bedford High School