The Music and Ballet School of Baghdad

The Music and Ballet School of Baghdad (Arabic: مدرسة بغداد للموسيقى و الباليه) was founded in Baghdad, Iraq in 1970. It was initially opened as part of secularist cultural campaign.^[1] There are also claims that the school was founded in 1968^[2][3] and 1969.^[4]

Two ballet dancers of the Iraqi National Ballet (which is based in Baghdad) performing a ballet show in Iraq in 2007.

The Music and Ballet School of Baghdad Arabic: مدرسة بغداد للموسيقى و الباليه
Information
Established	1968; 57 years ago (1968)
Gender	Mixed
Age	6 to 18
Enrollment	c.500 (2014)

In March 2016, the Associated Press reported that the school was facing financial difficulties owing to the government's budgetary crisis.^[5] According to the report, the Ministry of Culture had ordered the school to begin charging tuition.

School Structure

The school has approximately 500 students and is co-educational. Many of the female students are withdrawn at the age of 12 or 13 because their parents object to them dancing with boys on religious grounds.^[6]

The school teaches students between the ages of 6 and 18 and teaches a standard curriculum alongside music and dance classes.^[4]