by Caroline Crosson Gilpin

Every so often, a student shines impressively with a talent and drive to excel both academically and artistically. 

This year’s valedictorian at Dwight Global Online School is one such student: Neve Chang ‘26, an accomplished ballet dancer who also leads her graduating class with the highest GPA score.

Neve, who responded to a preliminary set of written questions for this article with eight pages of detailed, well-written notes, distinguishes herself immediately with her work ethic, thoughtfulness, and care. 

However, those qualities are only some of her characteristics. Neve, who was born in New York City and moved to Palo Alto, California at age five, is also kind, well spoken, and fun to talk with about all things Dwight Global, dance, and her path to achieving her dreams. 

“What I appreciate most about Dwight Global is that the school’s scheduling flexibility never came at the expense of rigor and connection,” said Neve.  “I was still able to participate in live classes, engage in discussions with classmates, build close relationships with amazing teachers, and take AP courses, all while training intensively and performing with a professional ballet company.”

Neve attributes much of her success to her parents’ emphasis on education–both parents are physicians–and her own sustained dedication to her studies in the studio, on the stage, and in the classroom. 

“I started ballet when I was two years old, and as I got older, I grew to love it more and more,” said Neve. “In fifth grade, I was invited to train at San Francisco Ballet School, which is ranked among the top 10 ballet schools worldwide. During sixth grade, I continued to attend school in person. Because my ballet schedule was much more intense at SFBS (3:30 pm until 7 pm, five days per week), and because I had an hour-long commute, I had to leave school an hour early everyday. And while that routine technically allowed me to fit my ballet training in with my school schedule, I really disliked missing time in the classroom everyday,” said Neve. 

During the pandemic, Neve’s dance and school classes went online, and she discovered she enjoyed having more control over her time. She no longer had to sacrifice ballet to accommodate her academics, or vice versa. 

“When I found Dwight Global, I knew that it was the right fit for me because it offers rigorous, high level academics, with live teaching and class discussions, through a flexible system that accommodates my ballet training schedule.”

After training at SFBS for five years, Neve moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to train at the International City School of Ballet, drawn by that small studio’s individualized coaching and the special quality of its dancers. 

During her junior year, she trained intensively in classical and contemporary dance, and had the opportunity to compete at Youth American Grand Prix, where she placed first In the Classical category and second place in the Contemporary category, and American Dance Competition’s International Ballet Competition, where she placed first in the Contemporary category and second in the Classical category.  After these competitive dance wins, she was accepted into the prestigious American Ballet Theatre’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School for her senior year. 

“In the fall of 2025, I moved to New York City to train at ABT’s school for preprofessional dancers. Unfortunately, I injured my ankle, and I moved back to my home in California to recover. My home base has always been California, and Dwight Global has allowed me to move around the country to pursue my ballet training while maintaining high level academics.” 

Neve, who took seven Advanced Placement classes during her four years at Dwight Global, said her small classes and rich classroom discussions were highlights of her learning. 

“Neve is a young woman of poise and maturity; she is an exemplary student, with a particular aptitude for writing and a talent for literary analysis,” said Advanced Placement English teacher Angela Rice, who taught Neve and also worked with her on her Valedictory Address for graduation. 

“Neve's scholastic diligence, writing skills and narrative voice made her an easy choice among faculty for the 2026 departmental English award.”

Neve will attend the University of California at Los Angeles next year, where she plans to major in English. In the summer of 2026, one of Neve’s poems will be published in the Blue Marble Review, a literary journal for young writers. 

“Dwight Global has supported me in so many ways throughout high school, both academically and personally,” said Neve. 

“Ballet training is extremely demanding, not just because of the long hours of physical training, but also because opportunities often require travel and surprise schedule changes. Dwight Global made it possible for me to continue challenging myself academically while also pursuing my ballet opportunities fully,” she said. 

“My deans and teachers always helped me create a plan for success. I’m also thankful for other lessons, too, like the importance of communication, time management, and proactivity, as these skills are crucial to success at any endeavor.”