Rylie Miles of New Castle, PA, has always been involved in dance. Since she was a toddler, she has been taking classes at her local dance studio. Rylie started taking tap and jazz classes, but as she watched the older girls walk by with pointe shoes, she knew she wanted to join them at the ballet barre one day.

Now in her 5th year of ballet, Rylie loves it.

When Rylie enrolled at PA Distance in 6^th grade, her schedule allowed her to focus on her schoolwork and her busy dance schedule. 

“Ballet calms me down. It puts me in my happy place,” Rylie said.

Around this time last year, Rylie performed in The Nutcracker, where her middle school principal, Ms. Crandall, science teacher, Mrs. Brennen, social studies teacher, Mrs. Jones, and school counselor, Ms. Harvey, watched her perform (above photo).

When preparing for a big show like The Nutcracker, Rylie practices after-school almost every night of the week. With her flexible schedule, she is able to attend school at PA Distance, maintain good grades, join after-school clubs, and practice at her dance studio.

“PA Distance’s class and work schedule is well organized and fits well with my dance schedule,” she explained. “The counselors and teachers really pay attention to your after school activities. They really want the best for you and care a lot about what is important to you.”

“If I concentrate and pay attention in class, I can finish all my work. We have time to do work during the day, so that helps,” she added.

Rylie’s goal is to one day join the New York City Ballet School and become a Radio City Rockette. She also wants to own her own dance studio to teach young children ballet after her own ballet career comes to an end.

“You have to put in time, effort, and hard work to be a dancer,” Rylie explained. “I believe that as long as you want something bad enough, you can do it.”

Rylie credits her teachers and classmates for making her experience at PA Distance noteworthy.

“I also used to be really bad at math. But now, my math grades are much better,” Rylie explained. “The students are positive in class and the teachers teach very well. I’ve learned so much from them. They’re amazing and fun and always show us a fun way of learning. I’m actually starting to like math now.”

“My mom gave me a choice,” she added. “I could go back to my old school or stay here. I chose to stay at PA Distance.”