Should You Add Acro to Your Dance School? The Pros, Cons, and Practicalities

As teachers, we’re always looking for ways to inspire students and grow our schools. Sometimes that means keeping things fresh with new classes, other times it’s about recognising trends that parents and dancers are asking for. In recent years, one style has caught attention across the globe and seems to be massively on the rise: acro dance.

Acro is an exciting blend of acrobatics and dance. Done well, it offers breathtaking routines where strength, flexibility, and control are showcased alongside choreography and performance quality. For audiences, it’s a “wow” factor. For students, it can be exhilarating. But for teachers and school owners, the question isn’t just is it popular?—it’s should we be offering it?

Let’s explore the benefits, challenges, and practical considerations so you can decide if acro has a place in your studio.

The Rising Appeal of Acro

More parents are asking about acro than ever before. Dance competitions, TV shows, and social media have fuelled its visibility, making young dancers eager to try it. Schools that offer acro often see an uptick in enrolment, with children excited by the chance to learn “tricks” alongside their dance training.

One friend of mine, Clare, who runs a busy dance school, told me that adding acro after the pandemic completely reshaped her timetable. “Some of my styles were declining,” she explained, “but when I introduced acro it just took off. Now I run around 15 acro classes every week and the numbers are huge.” Stories like this show just how much demand there is—and how powerful acro can be for building back student numbers.

For teachers, this can mean:

• Stronger student retention – dancers have another reason to stay at your school.
• Cross-training benefits – acro develops strength, flexibility, and body awareness that can enhance ballet, jazz, and contemporary technique.
• A competitive edge – if neighbouring studios offer it, parents may start looking elsewhere.

The appeal is real—but so are the responsibilities.

What Teachers Need to Think About

Safety and Training

Acro involves weight-bearing, inversions, and high-risk tricks. Teachers need specialist training in spotting, progressions, and injury prevention. Without it, you could be putting children at risk. If you’re considering training, organisations such as Acrobatic Arts and Acrotrix offer structured pathways for teachers to qualify.

Equipment and Space

Proper mats, flooring, and space are essential. A sprung floor might be fine for ballet, but acro requires surfaces designed for impact and safety. That does mean an investment—most professional mats cost around £150–£300 each, with larger crash mats reaching £500+. It can feel like a big outlay, but quality equipment builds trust with parents and, when cared for, will last for years.

Insurance and Accreditation

Many insurers won’t cover acro without proof of training or certification. Parents, too, may want reassurance that their child’s teacher has recognised credentials.

Keeping Dance at the Heart

The key with acro isn’t just about tricks—it’s about making sure they sit naturally within your choreography. Tricks should enhance a performance, not take it over. Students also need to develop stage presence, artistry, and musicality alongside their acro skills. That’s where the real magic happens.

The Rewards When It’s Done Well

When schools get it right, the results can be transformative. Students often gain confidence from mastering skills they once thought impossible. Parents see discipline and strength combined with artistry. Teachers get the reward of watching dancers grow in new ways.

In fact, many schools report that acro strengthens their sense of community—students cheer each other on as they conquer new milestones. It’s a really lovely atmosphere to create in class, where progress is celebrated just as much as performance.

Is It Right for Your Studio?

Here’s a way to think about it:

• Do your students and parents want it?
• Do you have the resources (trained staff, equipment, insurance) to deliver it safely?
• Will it complement your existing ethos, or could it distract from your school’s core identity?

Not every studio needs acro, and that’s okay. Some thrive on being “acro schools,” others choose to focus on the styles they love most. What matters is alignment—with your vision, your teachers, and your community.

Something to Think About…

Acro dance can open doors to creativity, growth, and new opportunities, but only if it’s approached with care and clarity. As teachers, we’re the ones who decide what’s best for our students and schools. The question isn’t whether acro is trendy—it’s whether it fits your journey as a teacher.

So… should you add acro to your timetable? Only you can answer that—but whichever path you choose, know that your role in shaping dancers’ futures is what really matters.