National League of Junior Cotillions
Wilmington Chapter

Year One Junior Cotillion

is designed for children in the 5th or 6th grade (6th grade students may register for Year One or be blended into the Premiere class; please contact me if you are unsure). Cotillion Year One is a mix of etiquette and dance instruction including the cha cha, fox trot, beach shag and line dances. The social and character education components of the program include introductions and proper rising, acknowledgment of gifts, correspondence and the RSVP, participating in group settings, polite conversation, paying and receiving compliments, sports etiquette, manners in the home, rules of proper telephone courtesy, basic table manners and many other areas of social behavior. The highlight of the season is the final Grand Ball.

Dress Code for classes: Ladies should wear age appropriate dresses or skirts, dress shoes and short white gloves. Gentlemen should wear khaki pants, dress shirts, ties, navy or dark blazers and dress shoes.
Dress Code for Grand Ball: Ladies should wear knee length or longer white dresses and short white gloves. Gentlemen should wear black tie tuxedos.

Tuition: $380 which includes all costs for the classes and ball. If more than one child in a family registers for the current year, the first child is full tuition and each additional child is half tuition. 

Year II and Premiere Junior Cotillion

is designed for returning students as will as middle school students that are new to cotillion.  The curriculum will vary from year to year to accomodate returning students.  Premiere will offer new etiquette topics, such as first impressions, manners in pubic places, being a guest in someone's home, party courtesies, understanding dress codes, formal place settings, rules for the formal meal, styles of dining including American and Continental. A special emphasis is placed on table manners at each class with hands on activities and demonstrations of each course.   Premiere also gives students the opportunity to enjoy the social skills learned in previous years of Junior Cotillion through special events such as an icebreaker.   Advanced topics will be introduced such as interview skills, reception etiquette, understanding the social customs of other countries, unusual foods and utensils and how to handle them. Students will learn new dance steps and continue to refine the previous dances. The final event in the Premiere season is the Gala and Dinner/Dance.  Students will be guided with individual attention and instruction as each course is served with emphasis on the place setting, napkin etiquette, and proper use of the silverware.

Dress Code for classes and outings: Ladies should wear age appropriate dresses or skirts and dress shoes. Gentlemen should wear khaki pants, dress shirts, ties, navy or dark blazers and dress shoes.
Dress Code for the final Gala and Dinner: Ladies should wear knee length or longer any color dresses evening dresses. Gentlemen should wear black tie tuxedos.

Tuition: $380 which includes all costs for the classes and gala. If more than one child in a family registers for the current year, the first child is full tuition and each additional child is half tuition.

PRE-COTILLION

is a three day program designed for children in grades K-4. 

PRE-COTILLION I—Grades K-1 offers instruction in the areas of basic manners in the home--appearances, introductions, sports manners and basic table manners, including such things as the proper way to eat soup, using a knife and fork--while introducing words and their meanings, referred to as power words, that will instill common courtesies throughout their lifetimes--thank you, you’re welcome, yes ma’am, no ma’am, yes sir, no sir, please, may I, I’m sorry, and excuse me. We will have a birthday party for Peanuts the polite elephant—complete with cake, presents, and thank-you notes—taught in a manner that will emphasize the proper courtesies.  The last class is concluded with a graduation celebration, where all graduates will be awarded certificates. All etiquette taught is age-appropriate.

 PRE-COTILLION II—Grades 2-4 offers continued instruction in the areas of introductions, sports manners, and basic table manners—while exploring new areas, including making friends—keeping friends, writing correspondences, and school manners. Fast food manners will be practiced when refreshments are served in a fast food restaurant set-up. During the third class, students will learn about dining in a nice restaurant—complete with reservation, maître d’, menus, and tipping.  These students will also learn a line dance! The last class concludes with a graduation celebration, in which all graduates will be awarded certificates. All etiquette taught is age-appropriate.

Dress Code: All sessions are dress-up affairs for which careful grooming is required. Ladies should wear Sunday dresses or skirts and dress shoes. Gentlemen should wear khaki pants, shirt, and tie (sport coat or sweater is optional), and dress shoes.

Tuition:  Membership dues are $180. We highly recommend that you send in your reservation early as classes are limited and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Tuition may be paid in full with the application or one/half with the application and the remaining one/half by the first class.