ANDOVER, Mass.—The Phillips Academy Skating School will host an open house from 3-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at the Harrison Rink on South Main Street. Skating School staff will be on hand to assist area residents in signing up for fall skating lessons. In addition, a free open skating session for visitors will be held from 3:20-4:20 p.m.

The first 10-week session of skating classes begins Tuesday, Sept. 9. The popular Tots program will be offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoon as well as Thursday and Friday morning. The Basic Skills “badge” program will be offered Friday and Sunday evening as well as Saturday afternoon. Ice Dancing has been moved to a full ice sheet at 7:20 p.m. Sunday, and the popular Skate to Fitness exercise program will continue at lunchtime Friday.

The Tots and Basic Skills programs are designed by the United States Figure Skating Association to serve the needs of both recreational and competitive skaters. Skating director Andrea Mohns Brillaud and assistant director Arlene Collins both have over 20 years of experience as professional figure skating instructors. In addition to group lessons, the Skating School staff members also provide private lessons.

The Skating School, now in its third year, has over 300 area residents participating in its programs. The addition of the Thursday afternoon Tots class and Friday evening Basics Skills class, as well as a dedicated hour Sunday for adult dancers, has been in response to the overwhelming demand.

“People have been very enthusiastic about these programs. We have skaters of all ages and skill levels involved in our classes,” says Brillaud.

The Tots and Skate to Fitness classes cost $100 each series, while the fee for Basic Skills and Ice Dancing is $120 each. Helmets (bicycle or skating) are required for Tots classes and less proficient skaters. Figure skates are required for Basic Skills.

For registration information, call the Phillips Academy Skating School at 978-684-7200 or Andrea Brillaud at 978-684-7203.