Circus Center
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Circus Center offers unique opportunities for adults and teens to try flying trapeze, acrobatics, tumbling, and mini trampoline with experienced and encouraging instructors. They also host monthly circus cabaret shows that are highly entertaining. However, parents considering youth programs should be aware of serious reported concerns regarding safety, supervision, facility maintenance, and communication.
Key Highlights
- ✓Flying Trapeze program is highly praised by adult participants, with an 'intro 3-pack' deal.
- ✓Varied acrobatics available, including balancing, mini trampoline, tumbling, and human pyramids.
- ✓Instructors for adult and party activities are described as patient, informative, supportive, and fun.
- ✓Facilities, converted from a high school, offer plenty of space for classes.
- ✓Monthly circus cabaret shows provide enjoyable entertainment for general audiences.
- ✓Front desk staff is reported to be very nice and welcoming.
Standout Features
- ⭐Spacious facility, converted from a high school, providing ample room for classes.
- ⭐Highly rated Flying Trapeze program for adults/teens.
- ⭐Diverse range of acrobatic activities available for participants.
- ⭐Engaging and fun monthly circus cabaret performances.
- ⭐Supportive and knowledgeable instructors for well-run programs.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →For adults or teens interested in flying trapeze, inquire about the 'intro 3-pack' as it's considered a great deal.
- →If considering youth classes, *urgently* inquire about current coach-to-student ratios, supervision policies, and safety protocols due to past concerns.
- →Verify current program communication practices for youth classes with other parents before enrolling children.
- →Consider attending a circus cabaret show for general family entertainment.
- →Be prepared for muscle soreness if trying activities like flying trapeze or acrobatics, even after a single session.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Serious decline in quality of youth programs in recent years due to leadership changes and loss of key staff.
- ⚠Reported unsafe conditions in youth classes, including insufficient coach-to-student ratios and kids performing risky activities without adequate supervision.
- ⚠Facilities are described as 'dilapidated'.
- ⚠Consistently poor communication with parents about programs, with conflicting or missing information.
- ⚠Undervalued and poorly treated coaches, leading to low staff morale.
- ⚠Mistrust and lack of support for parent volunteers.
- ⚠Questionable management by an inexperienced board, including lack of transparency and financial concerns.
Price & Value
The 'intro 3-pack' for the Flying Trapeze program is explicitly mentioned as 'a great deal'. No other specific pricing details are provided for other classes or shows. The value for youth classes is questionable given the reported decline in quality and safety.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No accommodations mentioned.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No policy mentioned.
🚗Parking Info
- •No parking details mentioned.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No specific crowd levels mentioned, but a significant concern was raised about insufficient coach-to-student ratios in youth classes, implying overcrowding or understaffing relative to participant numbers.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Reported inadequate coach-to-student ratios and lack of supervision in youth classes, leading to 'unsafe conditions' and 'risky acrobatic activities' for children.
- •Dilapidated facilities are cited as a concern.
- •Instructors for adult classes and birthday parties are described as patient, informative, supportive, and fun, suggesting good safety practices in those specific contexts.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Enrolling children in youth classes without direct, current verification of improved safety conditions, adequate supervision, and reliable parent communication.
- • If facility upkeep and organizational transparency are high priorities, as these have been cited as major issues.
- • If you are uncomfortable with the possibility of unsafe conditions in youth programs.
Pricing/Package/Events
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 3 reviews)
- Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Clara McCreery
5 months agoI am a huge fan of the Flying Trapeze program at Circus Center. I showed up on a whim over a year ago (the intro 3-pack is a great deal!) and quickly became a regular. Now I am very sad if I have to go a whole week without flying. The staff are encouraging, helpful, and very knowledgeable. I’ve never been in better shape and have found so, so much joy here!
Circus “SFYC Parents & Youth” Youth
a month agoThis place has been through a lot of leadership changes and it has seriously impacted the quality of programs. My child used to enjoy youth classes here but it has really gone downhill in recent years with the loss of several key people. Now there are sometimes unsafe conditions with not enough coaches to students and kids doing risky acrobatic activities without adequate supervision. The facilities are dilapidated. Communications with parents about programs are consistently poor; parents and students frequently get different information or no information. The few remaining good coaches who survived the last round of layoffs are undervalued and poorly treated so morale is low. Parents who pitch in as volunteers are mistrusted, unsupported and sorely underappreciated. The small 5-person board that leads the organization has little experience, and their lack of experience shows up in the decisions they make, the way they hire and fire people, their lack of transparency, and the questionable way finances are managed. Although there are still some good coaches there, the organization has sadly has become a bastion of mediocrity and dysfunction. Don't bother.
Lenka “Blanca” Lukáčová
7 years agoAwesome place to unwind and try your limits. We were there for a birthday party and got to try the flying trapeze and some acrobatics, like balancing, mini trampoline and human pyramids. My muscles are still sore three days later, but we had a great time. The instructors were patient, informative, supportive and fun. All in all, I will definitely be back for more at some point 🙂
Emily
6 years agoI took a one-off class while visiting SF for work and this place is awesome! I love how it was converted from a high school, since it gives plenty of space for classes (also I loved tramping around a school). I took the intro to tumbling and mini trampoline and it was great - I'm feeling a lot more confident in my handstands now. Also the front desk is super nice!
Katie Casella
7 years agoWe went to see the circus cabaret with a friend who was taking classes there. It was so much fun, we were laughing and in awe of the abilities of the performers! And they have a new show each month! Check it out!