Welcome to Skate School!
Classes Begin on Sunday Oct 19th, 2026 between 12:40-2:10 pm at the St. Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights!
Day time Classes will also be offered for 2 year olds/Ice Explorers and Preschoolers at the St. Thomas Ice Arena.
Classes Offered:
2 Year Old/Ice Explorers
Snowplow Sam- 3-6 year olds
Basic Skills- 7-12 year olds
Interested in Figure Skating Classes? Click Here!
Interested in Hockey Skating Skills Classes? Click Here!
Ready to Start Ice Skating?
No matter your age or where you are in your skater journey, skate school (sometimes called Learn to Skate) is a great place to start and grow your skating skills!
Our classes are progressive, safe, positive and prepare skaters for figure skating, competitive figure skating and hockey!
Classes We Offer, Information & Registration
2-6 Year Old Skating Classes
7-12 Year Old Skating Classes
Sunday Classes Learn to Skate Classes
Session 1 Oct-Dec, 2025 (10 weeks)
Spots Remaining: All Are Open
Session 2 Jan-March 2026 (8 weeks)
Spots Remaining: All Are Open
Session 3 (Mid-March-May 2026)
Spots Remaining: All Are Open
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Join our Learn to Skate Classes! These classes are designed to give skaters a strong foundation in skating while learning in a safe environment! Our classes will prep skaters so they can pursue figure skating, competitive figure skating or hockey!
Classes are for skaters ages 3-12 years old!
REGISTERING FOR CLASSES
*We are expecting to have full classes this season due to the Olympics so save your spot today!
There are two ways to register for classes:
OPTION A: Purchase the Session
Purchase the entire session of classes upfront.
Classes are $18 each (about $144-$180/session)
You will always have a spot in class at the time you sign up for.
You are also able to use the app to re-schedule classes up to 48 hrs in advance. More info will be sent out in the Welcome Email that skaters receive about 1 week before classes begin.
OPTION B: Purchase Drop In Classes
You can purchase classes individually.
Classes are $21 each. Classes cannot be re-scheduled.
All drop in classes must be purchased 48 hrs prior to the start of class (at the very latest).
To purchase a drop in class, you have to click on the class you want in our Class Calendar
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR CLASS FEE
Sunday Classes include:
A 30 min Warm-Up Class from 12:00-12:30 pm (this is optional, but any skater is welcome to attend)
30 min Lesson at the time you select
30 min of Practice Time in the practice end sometime between 12:40-2:10 pm (you choose your 30 min practice time)
Your Learn to Skate USA membership. This gives skater’s insurance and allows them to earn badges when they pass skating levels! (This is the $25 sign up fee that only needs to be paid once per year).
If you purchase only drop in classes, you are automatically authorizing Premier Skating Academy to charge your credit card on file $25 for your Learn to Skate USA membership so we can meet insurance mandates.
CLASS LEVELS
Our program follows the Learn to Skate USA curriculum! The curriculum is designed to teach skaters progressively with a focus on developing high quality edges.
Skaters in each time slot will be split into smaller classes. The Learn to Skate USA classes that we will split skaters into include:
Snowplow Sam- for skaters ages 3-6 years old
These classes foster the ABC’s of skating (agility, balance and coordination) while teaching strength and independence on the ice.
These classes include games and toys to help make the classes more engaging and fun for skaters at this age level.
There are four levels inside the Snowplow Sam group (Snowplow Sam 1, 2, 3, 4). The skills overlap at these levels and on skater’s name tag and class card or online profile it will detail the exact level your skater is at so they can earn badges.
Basic Skills- for skaters 7-12 years old
These levels teach the FUNdamentals of ice skating so skaters can feel confident and learn faster than the younger age group.
The focus of these classes is to learn proper skill development while having fun and learning agility, balance, coordination and strength on the ice.
There are six levels inside the Basic Skills group (Basic 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). The skills overlap and are progressive so on the skater’s name and class card or online profile it will detail the exact level your skater is at so they can earn badges.
CLASS DATES & TIMES
Session 1: Sundays Oct 19-Dec 21, 2025
Session 2: Sundays Jan 4-March 1, 2026 (skip Feb 8, 2026).
Session 3: March-May, times and days TBD
Class times are 12:00-12:30 pm (off ice), 12:40-1:10 pm (on ice), 1:10-1:40 pm (on ice), 1:40-2:10 pm (on ice).
CLASS LOCATION
Classes take place at the St. Thomas Ice Arena 950 Mendota Heights Rd Mendota Heights, MN 55120.
TESTING
Skaters will be evaluated to see if they earn a badge halfway through the session and at the end of the session. We will always teach new skills to skaters to keep them challenged even if they have not formally passed the test yet!
MY STUDIO APP
My Studio is the app we use to purchase classes, track attendance, etc. It is easiest for families to use the app to use their account to re-schedule any classes or to make quick purchases.
To download the app, simply go to the app store, and search “My Studio App” (it’s in green) and download it.
You have to use your email, Facebook or Google log in to sign in.
Our studio code is “Premier”.
WHAT TO WEAR/BRING
*All skaters must provide their own skates! There are no rental skates available or skates to purchase. Please look under “Resources” in the app for info on where to purchase skates and what to look for in good quality skates.
It is HIGHLY recommended that any skater new to ice skating begins in good quality, leather figure skates. These skates are the most supportive and the easiest for skaters to balance in. Skaters can always switch hockey skates or high quality figure skates once they are comfortable with the basics in skating.
*Helmet! Helmets are highly recommended for skaters unstable on their feet. Bike, scooter and hockey helmets all work.
*Mittens or Gloves
*Warm clothes that are easy to move in. Athletic clothes and a winter jacket are great clothes for skating in.
*Skaters who fall down a lot can wear snow pants!
*You should also bring a soft towel to dry off your skates when you are done skating so rust does not form on your skates.
MAKE-UP CLASSES
Only skaters who have paid for the whole session can re-schedule a class.
If you need to miss a class, please go into the app, and re-schedule your class to a later date or time within the session you are enrolled in. You may need to do two classes in one day to make-up the class.
Classes do not roll over from one session to the next.
All classes must be re-scheduled no later than 48 hrs in advance.
Families must use the app to re-schedule their own classes. PS Academy will not re-schedule classes for families.
REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS
Once you have purchased a session of classes or any drop in classes, no refunds will be issued.
The only time classes will be cancelled is if the rink itself is shut down (i.e. a power outage). This occurs so infrequently that we will contact families about how that will be handled IF this type of event ever occurs.
ON ICE SAFETY RULES
By taking skating classes with us, families are agreeing to honor the following:
-All spectators will sit in the bleachers.
-Only Skate School coaches are allowed in the the hockey boxes.
-No one is allowed to walk on the ice with their shoes on.
-Skaters cannot be chewing gum or eating anything while skating.
-Skaters should use the restroom before attending class. A parent will be waved down in the bleachers to take their child to the restroom if the skater needs to leave class for a bathroom break.
-If you are running late to class, skaters should skate to class on their own, or should wait by the door until a coach or helper can assist them.
-No hockey sticks or other objects in the practice end.
-Only skate school participants in the practice end. No guest skaters in the practice end (this includes parents and other children not enrolled in skate school classes).
-Skaters must skate at reasonable speeds in the practice end, cannot crash into the wall and must interact with other skaters in a safe manner.
-
All classes are $18 apiece if you are paying upfront for the whole session. That is about $144-180/session. In My Studio it is called the Membership Fee (it’s just the class fee).
In My Studio, there will an additional $25 Sign Up fee that is charged once per families per year. This covers your Learn to Skate USA insurance.
If you choose to just do drop in classes (pay as you go), then classes are $21 apiece, and the $25 fee will be charged to your card after you have purchased your first drop in class.
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We use the My Studio app for registrations & to schedule classes. To download the app, simply go to the app store and download the “My Studio” app that is in green. Type in the studio code “Premier” (no quotation marks), and all of our classes will pop up.
All drop in classes and make-up classes have to be scheduled in the Class Calendar.
Here is the link to the CLASS CALENDAR:
-
All skaters must provide their own skates for classes!
It is highly recommended for beginner skaters to wear a leather figure skate to start skating! The blade is flatter so it helps kids balance sooner! Then it’s easier to transition to a hockey skate when the skater can stop, skate backwards & balance on one foot!
Skaters can wear whatever skate they choose to class, and when you are looking for a good pair of skates make sure the blade has no rust, the ankles are supportive, and that they are single blade skates!
There is a lot more info on skates, where to buy them and what to look for in good skates in our Resource page in our My Studio app!
-
This depends upon the skater, and their development, but most levels take about 8 classes to pass, especially Snowplow Sam 1 & 2 and also Basic 1, 2, and 3!
Snowplow Sam 3 & 4, Basic 4, 5 and 6 and Hockey and Figure Skating classes all take longer than 8 classes to pass, but that is because these skills are harder so they just simply take more time to learn. And that is okay! We want skaters to learn high quality basic skills so they can continue to progress in skating without backtracking!
Daytime Classes 12:00-1:00 pm Oct-May, 2026
For Ice Explorers & Snowplow Sam Classes (classes for ages 2-6 yrs old)
*We will create a class for skaters ages 7-12 yrs during the day if there are three skaters or more willing to do class. Class time would be between 8-9 am or 12:00-2:00 pm weekdays.
Please email info@premierskatingacademy.com if you are interested!
Session 1 Oct-Dec 2025 (9 weeks)
Spots Remaining: All Spots Open
Session 2 Jan-March, 2026 (8 weeks)
Spots Remaining: All Spots Open
Session 3 (Mid-March-May, 2026)
Spots Remaining: All Spots Open
-
Join our Learn to Skate Classes! These classes are designed to give skaters a strong foundation in skating while learning in a safe environment! Our classes will prep skaters so they can pursue figure skating, competitive figure skating or hockey!
Classes are for skaters ages 2-6 years old!
REGISTERING FOR CLASSES
*We are expecting to have full classes this season due to the Olympics so save your spot today!
There are two ways to register for classes:
OPTION A: Purchase the Session
Purchase the entire session of classes upfront.
Classes are $18 each (about $144-$180/session)
You will always have a spot in class at the time you sign up for.
You are also able to use the app to re-schedule classes up to 48 hrs in advance. More info will be sent out in the Welcome Email that skaters receive about 1 week before classes begin.
OPTION B: Purchase Drop In Classes
You can purchase classes individually.
Classes are $21 each. Classes cannot be re-scheduled.
All drop in classes must be purchased 48 hrs prior to the start of class (at the very latest).
To purchase a drop in class, you have to click on the class you want in our Class Calendar
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR CLASS FEE
Daytime Classes include:
30 min Lesson at the time you select
30 min of Practice Time in the practice end either before or after your class (the practice time will be sent out in the Welcome Email).
Your Learn to Skate USA membership. This gives skater’s insurance and allows them to earn badges when they pass skating levels! (This is the $25 sign up fee that only needs to be paid once per year).
If you purchase only drop in classes, you are automatically authorizing Premier Skating Academy to charge your credit card on file $25 for your Learn to Skate USA membership so we can meet insurance mandates.
CLASS LEVELS
Our program follows the Learn to Skate USA curriculum! The curriculum is designed to teach skaters progressively with a focus on developing high quality edges.
Skaters in each time slot will be split into smaller classes. The Learn to Skate USA classes that we will split skaters into include:
Ice Explorers- for skaters 2 years old
This is a very two year old-orientated class that gives these little ones an introduction to skates, wearing skates, being on the ice, playing on the ice and starting the very basic skills on and off the ice (i.e. falling down, standing up, dips) with toys and games.
Snowplow Sam- for skaters ages 3-6 years old
These classes foster the ABC’s of skating (agility, balance and coordination) while teaching strength and independence on the ice.
These classes include games and toys to help make the classes more engaging and fun for skaters at this age level.
There are four levels inside the Snowplow Sam group (Snowplow Sam 1, 2, 3, 4). The skills overlap at these levels and on skater’s name tag and class card or online profile it will detail the exact level your skater is at so they can earn badges.
CLASS DATES & TIMES
Session 1: Week of Oct 20-Week of Dec 14th, 2025
Session 2: Week of Jan 4-first week of March, 2026
Session 3: Late March-May 2026
Class times are between 12:00-1:00 pm Tues-Thurs.
CLASS LOCATION
Classes take place at the St. Thomas Ice Arena 950 Mendota Heights Rd Mendota Heights, MN 55120.
TESTING
Skaters will be evaluated to see if they earn a badge halfway through the session and at the end of the session. We will always teach new skills to skaters to keep them challenged even if they have not formally passed the test yet!
MY STUDIO APP
My Studio is the app we use to purchase classes, track attendance, etc. It is easiest for families to use the app to use their account to re-schedule any classes or to make quick purchases.
To download the app, simply go to the app store, and search “My Studio App” (it’s in green) and download it.
You have to use your email, Facebook or Google log in to sign in.
Our studio code is “Premier”.
WHAT TO WEAR/BRING
*All skaters must provide their own skates! There are no rental skates available or skates to purchase. Please look under “Resources” in the app for info on where to purchase skates and what to look for in good quality skates.
It is HIGHLY recommended that any skater new to ice skating begins in good quality, leather figure skates. These skates are the most supportive and the easiest for skaters to balance in. Skaters can always switch hockey skates or high quality figure skates once they are comfortable with the basics in skating.
*Helmet! Helmets are highly recommended for skaters unstable on their feet. Bike, scooter and hockey helmets all work.
*Mittens or Gloves
*Warm clothes that are easy to move in. Athletic clothes and a winter jacket are great clothes for skating in.
*Skaters who fall down a lot can wear snow pants!
*You should also bring a soft towel to dry off your skates when you are done skating so rust does not form on your skates.
MAKE-UP CLASSES
Only skaters who have paid for the whole session can re-schedule a class.
If you need to miss a class, please go into the app, and re-schedule your class to a later date or time within the session you are enrolled in. You may need to do two classes in one day to make-up the class.
Classes do not roll over from one session to the next.
All classes must be re-scheduled no later than 48 hrs in advance.
Families must use the app to re-schedule their own classes. PS Academy will not re-schedule classes for families.
REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS
Once you have purchased a session of classes or any drop in classes, no refunds will be issued.
The only time classes will be cancelled is if the rink itself is shut down (i.e. a power outage). This occurs so infrequently that we will contact families about how that will be handled IF this type of event ever occurs.
ON ICE SAFETY RULES
By taking skating classes with us, families are agreeing to honor the following:
-All spectators will sit in the bleachers.
-Only Skate School coaches are allowed in the the hockey boxes.
-No one is allowed to walk on the ice with their shoes on.
-Skaters cannot be chewing gum or eating anything while skating.
-Skaters should use the restroom before attending class. A parent will be waved down in the bleachers to take their child to the restroom if the skater needs to leave class for a bathroom break.
-If you are running late to class, skaters should skate to class on their own, or should wait by the door until a coach or helper can assist them.
-No hockey sticks or other objects in the practice end.
-Only skate school participants in the practice end. No guest skaters in the practice end (this includes parents and other children not enrolled in skate school classes).
-Skaters must skate at reasonable speeds in the practice end, cannot crash into the wall and must interact with other skaters in a safe manner.
-
Ice Explorers/ 2 Year old Classes:
Tuesdays 12:00-12:30 pm
Wednesdays 12:00-12:30 pm
Snowplow Sam/ 3-6 Year old Classes:
Wednesdays 12:30-1:00 pm
Thursdays 12:30-1:00 pm
-
IteAll classes are $18 apiece if you are paying upfront for the whole session. That is about $144-180/session. In My Studio it is called the Membership Fee (it’s just the class fee).
In My Studio, there will an additional $25 Sign Up fee that is charged once per families per year. This covers your Learn to Skate USA insurance.
If you choose to just do drop in classes (pay as you go), then classes are $21 apiece, and the $25 fee will be charged to your card after you have purchased your first drop in class. m description
-
We use the My Studio app for registrations & to schedule classes. To download the app, simply go to the app store and download the “My Studio” app that is in green. Type in the studio code “Premier” (no quotation marks), and all of our classes will pop up.
Skaters must pre-schedule all classes on our Class Calendar.
Here is the link to the CLASS CALENDAR:
-
All skaters must provide their own skates for classes!
It is highly recommended for beginner skaters to wear a leather figure skate to start skating! The blade is flatter so it helps kids balance sooner! Then it’s easier to transition to a hockey skate when the skater can stop, skate backwards & balance on one foot!
Skaters can wear whatever skate they choose to class, and when you are looking for a good pair of skates make sure the blade has no rust, the ankles are supportive, and that they are single blade skates!
There is a lot more info on skates, where to buy them and what to look for in good skates in our Resource page in our My Studio app!
-
This depends upon the skater, and their development, but most levels take about 8 classes to pass, especially Snowplow Sam 1 & 2 and also Basic 1, 2, and 3!
Snowplow Sam 3 & 4, Basic 4, 5 and 6 and Hockey and Figure Skating classes all take longer than 8 classes to pass, but that is because these skills are harder so they just simply take more time to learn. And that is okay! We want skaters to learn high quality basic skills so they can continue to progress in skating without backtracking!
What is Skate School & Who Can Take Classes?
Skate school is group classes where skaters learn how to ice skate! These classes teach the basics and some advanced skills in ice skating and give skaters the foundations for figure skating, hockey or speed skating! It also teaches skaters to be safe and confident on the ice at a reasonable cost so people new to ice skating can try it out! Classes are fun, progress in levels and skating is a life sport! Sometimes “Skate School” is called Learn to Skate.
We offer classes for skaters ages 2 through 12 years old!
The Mission of Our Skate School
We proudly partner with Learn to Skate USA! It is recognized as the world’s best ice skating program and is endorsed by USA Hockey, US Figure Skating and US Speed Skating. Our Skate School mission is the same as Learn to Skate USA’s: to provide a safe and positive experience that will instill a lifelong love of skating.
Curriculum
Our curriculum for Skate School follow the Learn to Skate USA curriculum! Click the buttons below to see the detailed list of skills for each set of type of class.
Because our skate school runs all year long, skaters are evaluated to see if they pass into the next level every fourth class they attend! Skaters may be moved up at any time though, so that they stay excited and challenged on the ice!
Features of Our Skate School
Our class calendar provides FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING for families. Families can book as many classes as they want, re-schedule or cancel classes. You never lose out on a class!
Classes are 30 min long and skaters can also practice in the PRACTICE END of the ice when they aren’t in class during Skate School time~ that is free extra skating time!
Our COACHES are HIGHLY QUALIFIED! All coaches have their certification in Learn to Skate USA, are background checked and have completed Safesport training. Coaches are given continuous training on skate school techniques throughout the year and are high achieving skaters themselves. Most of our coaches have received gold medals in some aspect of skating! Even our high level coaches enjoy working with grassroots level skaters!
Our CURRICULUM is highly progressive. Not only do we begin teaching higher level skills as soon as skaters are ready, we also teach edges at an early age and use other techniques to help skaters learn more complicated skating skills at a younger age.