BETHEL – Some Gould Academy students will literally be kicking up their heels and dancing when classes start Sept. 13.

The private school will for the first time be offering dance instruction on campus, spokesman John Nesbitt said Tuesday.

Deb Irons of Art Moves Dance Company in Norway is known regionally for her work as a dancer and choreographer, and will be heading the new dance program.

Students have in the past traveled off campus for dance instruction, Nesbitt said.

This year, Irons will instead offer electives including modern dance, jazz, ballet, and even hip-hop, on school grounds.

“The performing and visual arts have always been one of Gould’s strengths,” Nesbitt said. “This just adds onto that history of strength in the preforming art.”

The dance classes are being offered with the help of a grant by the Edward E. Ford Foundation, he said.

Gould will also this year offer a new interdisciplinary history-English curriculum for students in their junior year. The curriculum is intended to allow students to explore literature and history together.

Gould has hired four new faculty and administrative members this year, Nesbitt said. They are: David Lynch, math; Christopher Snedecor, French; Mike Popovic, Web site and communications; and Justin Londergan, development and alumni relations.

The school has a total enrollment of 210 students, Nesbitt said. Of the 101 staff members, 35 are teachers and 17 are administrators.