Ed Russell, pictured, and his wife, Andrea, run Dance for Success. The program brings ballroom dance to fifth graders at low-income schools.

"These kids typically don't get the opportunity to learn social skills that other kids normally do," Andrea said.

But she says learning dances such as the tango and the rumba teach these kids respect for themselves and their fellow classmates.

"Once they start being partners on the dance floor, they start being partners in the classroom," said Andrea. "Once they're partners in the classroom, they start being partners in the community. Once they're partners in the community, they start walking each other home. They start looking out for each other."

She says getting these kids into dance position and used to the idea of working in pairs is sometimes tough at first, but they learn. And boys who don't want to touch the girls or vice versa get in step real quick.

"You don't have to like it, but you're not going to say anything negative about it because you're not going to disrespect your partner," Andrea said.

Taylor Hair takes part in Dance for Success at Orlo Vista Elementary in Orlando.

"I most personally like to tango because it has its own funky move to it," she said.

Jamal Bailey Williams says he prefers the merengue.

"I really love it," he said. "That's the only reason I come on Fridays."

The principal at Orlo Vista is a fan of what dance is doing for the kids. Brenda J. Martin-Smith says it helps them with problem solving and creativity and ultimately leads to better grades in reading and math.

"It gets that brain all fired up, and that's what they need."

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