The State Ballet Academy / Vocational School is a two-year programme. Students up to the age of 18 are admitted; exceptions are possible. Conditions for admission to the Academy are a high standard of technical proficiency in classical dance and a completed academic school education. The tuition is full-time and includes the following subjects: classical technique, variations, repertoire, Pas de deux, character dance / Spanish dance, contemporary dance, improvisation, pointe work, German, English, sociology, dance history, music history and theory, anatomy / dance theory and make-up. At the end of the first year there is a theoretical examination, at the end of the second year there is a practical final examination. After passing the final examination the students leave the Ballet Academy as state-certified classical dancers. The education at the Academy is free of charge. However, the students need to pay for their board and lodging. For accommodation the Boarding School of the John Cranko School or private accommodation can be considered.
By participating in a large number of performances of the Stuttgart Ballet and the Opera of the Württemberg State Theater, the students acquire a feeling for the stage and work in a theater. In addition,several school performances take place each year. Numerous guest performances have brought the John Cranko Schule to various German cities as well as countries such as Russia, Poland, France, Austria, Hungary, Japan, Greece, USA, Canada and Mexico. Students of the John Cranko Schule have repeatedly been awarded with prizes at the most renowned ballet competitions.