Tutu School West Portal — Local services in San Francisco

We love the Tutu School. We first visited when my daughter was around 2yo for a parent-participatory mixed-age class. It was pretty chaotic. The teacher was not unkind, but she certainly didn’t have that special touch that it takes to motivate a room of small toddlers and their parents. I went with a friend whose daughter was younger and definitely not into it, so we decided at the time not to enroll. A few months passed and my daughter still frequently mentioned how much fun she’d had, so I decided to sign her up for another trial class in the next age bracket. This class was non-parent-participatory, although we stayed to watch. Once again, I was not particularly impressed by the instructor, but my daughter liked the activities, and so we decided to give it a chance. When we enrolled her in a weekly class, the only time slot that fit our schedule serendipitously put her into the perfect class. My daughter LOVES her teacher and the friends she’s made there. I have watched her gain a new command over her body and her movement, and her confidence continues to grow each week. She is always excited to go to class. As a parent I am always super impressed by her teacher’s infinite patience and kindness, and with her ability to bring the girls back to focus if their attention starts to stray.

On another note, the facility is always clean and well maintained in general. They have dance costumes for sale on site, and cute decor complete with a variety of kids seating options and books to read between classes. (or, as in or case, for patiently waiting siblings)

In short, although our first couple times here were less than perfect, our overall experience with The Tutu School has been more than net positive. We are very happy to share a piece of our week with her teacher and her...

Both of my daughters love Tutu School West Portal! The classes are magical and exciting (in a way that formal ballet training for older children sometimes is not). They get to twirl with their friends, be exposed to the stories and music of classical ballets, and learn real ballet terminology and poses. The teachers really understand exactly how to get children engaged. I marvel at how gentle and upbeat they are, even when my daughter gets distracted.

We also love hanging out in the neighborhood after class, which features a great indie bookstore, a huge variety of kid-friendly eateries, a candy shop, a bakery, and a toy store. Parking is plentiful as well. It's become a great part of our routine.

One more thing - we hosted our older daughter's birthday at this location, and it was nothing short of perfect. Thank you, Tutu School...

I recently had the joy of watching my friend’s five-year-old dance at Tutu School West Portal, and I can’t say enough good things about this place! Miss Charlie is an absolute angel. Her patience and ability to connect with the kids are truly remarkable.

She has a unique gift for engaging children of all personalities—gently redirecting those who get distracted and encouraging the shy ones to shine. It’s clear she creates a fun, supportive, and magical environment where every child feels special.

If you’re looking for a ballet school that nurtures and inspires little dancers, Tutu School West Portal is it. Miss Charlie and the team are phenomenal. I’m so impressed and highly recommend...