Every March, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, we recognize Dance in Schools Month, a time to highlight the importance of dance education and advocate for #DanceEducationForALL.
As someone who started as a dance educator in underfunded schools, I’ve seen firsthand how dance changes lives. Many of my students faced challenges outside the classroom, dance gave them structure, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Now, as a program coordinator, I work with schools to bring dance education to more students, but I know how much work still needs to be done.
Despite its benefits, dance programs are always at risk. Schools cut funding, administrators overlook the impact, and students miss out. That’s why this month matters! It’s a chance to push for change and show why dance belongs in every school.
Why Dance Education in Schools Matters
Dance is more than movement! It’s a tool for learning, self-expression, and community-building. For students, dance:
✔ Boosts academic performance – Studies show dance improves memory, focus, and problem-solving.
✔ Supports social-emotional growth – Dance teaches resilience, teamwork, and self-discipline.
✔ Encourages cultural awareness – Students connect with history, storytelling, and traditions through movement.
When I taught in low-income schools, I saw students come alive in dance class. Kids who struggled to focus in other subjects thrived when they had the freedom to move. Dance gave them a voice they didn’t always have elsewhere.
Even with research proving the value of dance education, schools continue cutting programs. We saw this when the Trump administration proposed eliminating funding for the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). (Read more about that here.)
How Schools Can Celebrate Dance in Schools Month
You don’t need a big budget to bring dance into schools, just commitment and creativity. Here are ways to celebrate this month:
1. Make Dance Part of Learning
- For young students: Use movement in storytelling and literacy lessons.
- For older students: Introduce choreography tied to historical events or social movements.
- Cross-curricular connections: Show how dance relates to math, science, and physical fitness.
2. Host a Dance Event
- Organize a student showcase featuring different styles of dance.
- Bring in a guest artist for a masterclass or Q&A.
- Highlight cultural dance traditions with performances and discussions.
3. Advocate for Dance Education
- Share success stories from students who found confidence through dance.
- Push for arts funding at school board meetings.
- Use social media to spread awareness, tagging posts with #DanceEducationForALL.
We’ve seen what happens when dance gets the spotlight. The 2024 Super Bowl halftime show was a prime example of dance’s influence on pop culture and its power to captivate audiences. (Check out our Super Bowl dance breakdown here.)
Dance Education Needs Support Beyond March
One month of advocacy isn’t enough—dance education needs champions all year. Budget cuts and shifting priorities threaten arts programs every school year.
We’ve seen national conversations about arts funding before, but change happens at the local level. Schools with strong dance programs keep them because teachers, parents, and students fight for them. (Learn how funding impacts arts education here.)
For many students, dance is more than an elective—it’s their way to express themselves, build confidence, and succeed in ways that traditional academics don’t always allow.
Take Action for Dance Education
✅ Share this article to spread awareness.
✅ Follow our social media pages for advocacy resources.
✅ Speak up at school meetings to support dance programs.
Every child deserves access to dance education. Let’s make it happen, not just this month, but all year.
Happy Dancing!
Taylor B.
