The Wooden Floor Main Street

For over four decades, The Wooden Floor Main Street has stood as a beacon of hope and transformation in Santa Ana, California, impacting the lives of thousands of young people from low-income communities. More than just a dance studio, this nationally recognized, award-winning non-profit organization is a comprehensive creative youth development program that uses the power of dance as a catalyst for educational success and personal growth. Its mission is profoundly clear: to inspire and transform the lives of young people through rigorous dance education and guaranteed access to higher education. This dual focus distinguishes The Wooden Floor as a unique and vital resource for families across Orange County.

Founded in 1983 as Saint Joseph Ballet, The Wooden Floor has consistently delivered on its promise. Since 2005, an astonishing 100% of its graduating seniors have not only completed high school on time but have also immediately enrolled in higher education. This remarkable achievement speaks volumes about the holistic support system the organization provides, encompassing not just dance training but also critical academic, college and career readiness, and family support programs—all provided free of charge. For local Californians, especially those in Santa Ana, The Wooden Floor represents an extraordinary opportunity to empower the next generation, offering a pathway to success that extends far beyond the dance floor.

The Wooden Floor Main Street is prominently located at 1810 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92706, USA. This address places it in a well-established area of Santa Ana, a central city within Orange County, California. Its position on North Main Street ensures excellent visibility and straightforward accessibility for residents from Santa Ana and surrounding communities such as Orange, Tustin, and Irvine.

Main Street is a significant thoroughfare, making navigation to the facility convenient whether traveling by personal vehicle or utilizing local public transportation options. The building itself is designed to evoke the essence of movement, with its architectural design reflecting the grace of dance. The facility reportedly includes three dance studios, dressing rooms, a courtyard, a community room, a volunteer room, and an education center, providing a comprehensive and dedicated space for its wide range of programs. Ample parking is generally available in the vicinity, which is crucial for parents and visitors to the center. This accessible and purpose-built location underscores The Wooden Floor's commitment to serving its community effectively.

Services Offered:

• Comprehensive Dance Education: Students receive high-quality, long-term dance instruction in various styles, including modern, ballet, improvisation, and choreography. Classes are taught by professional faculty, often accompanied by live music.

• Performance Opportunities: Young artists collaborate with recognized choreographers to create and perform original contemporary dance works in professional settings, building confidence and stage presence through annual concerts and other showcases.

• Academic Services: The program provides individualized one-on-one tutoring, homework assistance, remedial workshops, and access to a computer lab and resource library, ensuring students meet or exceed grade-level proficiency.

• College & Career Readiness Programs (The Next Step™): College planning begins as early as the sixth grade, with services including college tours, standardized test training (e.g., SAT classes), career nights, and comprehensive workshops for college applications and financial aid.

• College Scholarships: A significant number of graduates qualify for merit-based, four-year scholarships, often totaling up to $10,000, directly from The Wooden Floor, further supporting their access to higher education.

• Family Services & Enrichment Programs: The organization adopts a case management approach, offering counseling, crisis intervention, workshops (e.g., parenting, family health), and social service referrals to help families overcome socioeconomic hardships and navigate pathways toward self-sufficiency.

• Mentoring and Relationship Building: Students receive daily mentoring from The Wooden Floor’s skilled staff, including dance faculty, tutors, and mentors, fostering long-term, supportive relationships.

• Community Engagement (Dance Free Weeks™): This outreach program brings free, week-long dance training programs into Santa Ana public schools, reaching thousands of additional students annually and introducing them to the arts.

Features / Highlights:

• 100% College Enrollment Rate: Since 2005, every graduating senior from The Wooden Floor has immediately enrolled in higher education, a testament to the program's effectiveness and dedication.

• Holistic Youth Development Model: The Wooden Floor's approach goes beyond dance, offering a comprehensive support system that addresses academic, social, emotional, and family needs, ensuring well-rounded development.

• Long-Term Commitment: The organization makes a deep, 10-year investment in its students, typically from third grade through high school and into college, providing consistent, sustained support.

• National Recognition: The Wooden Floor is a national award-winning organization and is recognized as one of the foremost creative youth development non-profits in the country.

• Empowering Low-Income Youth: The program specifically targets and transforms the lives of young people from low-income communities, providing them with opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

• Creative and Innovative Dance Aesthetic: The dance curriculum values exploration, discovery, and innovation, encouraging students to think differently about themselves and push through obstacles.

• Architecturally Designed Facility: The Santa Ana campus features a unique, purpose-built facility designed to reflect the "movement" of dance, providing an inspiring environment for students and visitors.

• Generational Change: By empowering students to access higher education and achieve success, The Wooden Floor is actively creating generational change within families and communities.

Contact Information:

Address: 1810 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92706, USA

Phone: (714) 541-8314

For locals in California, particularly those residing in Santa Ana and the broader Orange County region, The Wooden Floor Main Street represents an invaluable community asset that goes far beyond a typical dance studio. Its deep-rooted commitment to social impact, demonstrated by its extraordinary 100% college enrollment rate for graduates since 2005, makes it uniquely suitable for families seeking not just artistic enrichment but genuine life transformation for their children. This is a place where young people from underserved communities are given the tools, guidance, and support to break cycles of poverty and build brighter futures, all through the powerful medium of dance.

Supporting or engaging with The Wooden Floor means investing directly in the future of Orange County’s youth. Whether you are a parent looking for a program that offers comprehensive academic and personal support alongside top-tier dance instruction, or a community member interested in the arts and social change, The Wooden Floor provides a compelling opportunity. Their public performances offer a chance to witness the incredible talent and dedication of these young artists, while also understanding the profound impact of the organization's work. The Wooden Floor doesn't just teach dance; it inspires, transforms, and empowers, making it an essential and highly recommended point of interest for anyone in the local California community who believes in the power of art to drive positive social change.

The Wooden Floor Main Street

1810 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92706, USA