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Third graders at The Mandelstam School performed a dance inspired by Pakistani culture after months of immersive learning
The performance was created with input from a family with Pakistani roots
A video of the dance went viral, sparking conversation about the importance of the arts in school
Learning about other cultures, at any age, can broaden perspectives and highlight the diverse, beautiful ways we view the world — and one school in Florida is aiming to do just that.
The Mandelstam School in South Miami recently went viral after its third graders performed a dance inspired by and honoring Pakistani culture.
During the routine, the young kids — dressed in colorful, traditional garments with smiles plastered across their faces — hit their marks after months of rehearsal. A few of the students even played instruments before rejoining the dance performance, which was set to an elaborate backdrop.
Indi Avila, Head of School at The Mandelstam School, tells PEOPLE that the elementary school’s “World Culture program is something we build on all year long.”
The Mandelstam School Dance
Credit: Courtesy of Cristie Anne and The Mandelstam School
Every year, each grade — from Pre-K4 through fifth grade — studies a different country through geography, history, research, visual art, music and dance, she explains. Its immersive, hands-on approach is designed to help students truly connect with what they’re learning.
This year, all the third graders focused on Pakistan, but the school made sure to add another layer of collaboration.
“Our dance and music teachers, who bring an incredible level of creativity, care and expertise to these performances each year, worked closely together to bring it to life,” Avila shares. “In this case, they also partnered with a family in the class with Pakistani roots, who became a wonderful resource, helping deepen the students’ understanding and enriching both the learning and the choreography.”
“This wasn’t something created just for a performance; it was the result of months of cross-curricular learning, with our teachers building a full cultural experience around Pakistan.”
The Mandelstam School Dance
Credit: Courtesy of Cristie Anne and The Mandelstam School
When the students stepped on stage to perform the traditional dance, Avila says “the dance didn’t feel new to them. “
“It felt familiar. It was something they had already been living in the classroom.” Avila tells PEOPLE. “That’s really why it comes across the way it does. It wasn’t about performing, it was about expressing something they already understood.”
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The students themselves were “genuinely excited to share it.”
“Not because it had to be perfect, but because it felt like something they owned. What stands out most is how present and joyful they are,” she says. “They’re not waiting for cues or holding back. They’re fully engaged with each other and with what they’re doing.”
The school posted a video of the performance to Instagram, where it went viral, as users were shocked by the kids’ level of commitment.
“Wait this is not a dance school? This is a third grade class? Wow! They are amazing!” one user commented, as another chimed in, “I own a Bollywood dance company. Work with kids a lot. And these kids are sooo coordinated! Great job to whoever taught them and all the passion the kids put in as well.”
To Avila, the response has been “incredible and honestly far beyond what we expected.”
“We’ve heard from people not just across the U.S., but around the world. One of the most interesting reactions has been how many viewers assumed the performers were children from Pakistani backgrounds, and were surprised to learn they’re actually students from a wide range of cultures here in Miami,” she says. “That really speaks to the level of respect and authenticity the students brought to it.”
The Mandelstam School Dance
Credit: Courtesy of Cristie Anne and The Mandelstam School
She notes that it also sparked a lot of conversations about the importance of the arts in schools.
“People aren’t just reacting to a dance. They’re responding to what it represents: confident, expressive children who are deeply engaged in their learning,” Avila says, noting that the private elementary school was created with “a very intentional focus on developing the whole child.”
“This moment really speaks to something bigger. In a diverse community like South Miami, learning about different cultures isn’t an extra; it’s essential,” Avila shares. “In a time where more learning is happening through screens, AI, and even homeschooling, it’s important to remember what children are capable of in the right environment.”
“When they’re given opportunities to move, perform, collaborate and express themselves, they rise to it in ways that can’t be replicated digitally,” she adds. “That’s really what this video represents. It’s not just a performance, it’s a glimpse into what’s possible when education is built around the whole child.”
Read the original article on People