Momster.....I'd be happy to try to help. It is not my daughter's friend. It is my client/student. They do not know one another but will real well by the time this summer is over.
NMR....I totally get what your D is saying and thinking. Things evolve once they are IN school. You'll see.
bettyboop, as chrisnoo and I are both saying, what happened with NOCCA Junior whom I personally do not know, is an EXCEPTION. I know of another exception but these are truly considered just that and are not the norm. I don't know under what circumstances exceptions are made, however. Go into it knowing that the policy is primary studio for at least two years and then you can choose to stay in it or audition for an advanced studio. You also could stay three years in primary studio and audition for the fourth year in another studio.