Studio Handbook & Registration Guide

Registration:

Registration for 2023/2024 classes begins on 7/15/23 and runs until 10/31/23 (or until the class is full). To complete the registration process, fill out the registration form online.  The first payment, plus the registration fee ($20 per dancer) must be included. Class placement will not be held without a completed form, fee, and tuition installment. please keep in mind:

1) We do not prorate tuition for those who join late.

2) Classes are at a first come, first serve basis. Registering early will help secure a place in your desired class(es).

3) We will not hold spots in class for anyone who has not completed the registration form, and made the first payment. No exception.

Class Placement:

Classes are arranged first by age/grade, and then by ability. In some cases our levels overlap in age. If you are new to the studio, then you will first be placed in the lower level class according to age.  Ability will be assessed and movement to a higher level will be at the discretion of the teacher.

Returning students will be placed by studio staff, the classes best suited for each dancer will be highlighted on individual registration packets emailed the first week of July.

If there are any questions or concerns with your child’s placement, please contact the studio. 

Payment Information:

Tuition payments may be made by cash, check,PayPal, Venmo or with credit/debit via our Parent Portal. 

Tuition for a full year (September through June) is divided into 10 installments and due on the 1st of the month. Payments made after the 7th of the month will be considered late and accrue a $10 late fee. After the 14th of the month (for which payment is due), the dancer will not be allowed to participate until their full balance is paid, including the late fee.

All paid tuition is non-refundable.

Discounts: 

A 10% discount on tuition will apply to anyone who pays for the dance year in full prior to 9/1/23. Please note, all paid tuition is non-refundable. Full year payment MUST be paid with cash or check. 

Registration & recital fees still apply.

Returned Checks:

Returned checks will be charged a $25 return fee. If a check is returned for any reason, the party must then pay the total balance in cash (fee and returned tuition amount). All future payments (within the same dance year) must also be paid in cash.

Other Fees:

A registration fee is due with your first tuition payment and registration packet (or online form). The fee is $20 per dancer.

A costume fee is due 12/1/2023 and is $65 per costume. One costume is ordered per class unless otherwise specified. If you are ordering 4 or more costumes, then you may split the fee into two parts. One due 12/1/23 with the other half due by 1/1/2024. 

**We order costumes by 12/31 for our Spring show. If you do not desire to be in the recital, it is optional. However, a decision must be made before our Winter break (around 12/20). Once a costume has been ordered, no refunds will be given for those who no longer wish to participate, and all balances will still be due on remaining costume fees.**

A Recital Fee of $20 (per dancer) is due on 4/1/24 and will be collected with April's tuition payment. 

Attendance:

Attendance is extremely important for the success of each student. If you know you are going to miss a class, arrive late, or have to leave early, please let the studio or your instructor know prior to class. If at any time, an instructor feels that you have missed too many classes and have fallen behind, a private lesson will be scheduled to review choreography. Private lessons are $30 per half hour and must be set up with your instructor.

No refunds are given for missed classes. However, in the event of a serious illness or injury, a student who is no longer able to participate for a lengthy period of time (as advised by their Dr.) will not be held to any future tuition payments within the same dance year, or until the time they are once again able to fully participate in class. 

Weather Related Cancellations and Closings:

In the case of inclement weather, In Step Dance Studio reserves the right to cancel any and all classes for the day. Notification is posted online, on Facebook, on the studio answering machine, and Channel 30 (WFSB). After two cancellations (weather related) for any one class, a makeup class will be scheduled.  At no time, will refunds be issued for cancellations due to weather.

Holiday Closings: 

A studio calendar will be posted at the beginning of the year listing all holidays and prescheduled closings. This may or may not coincide with your town’s school schedule. 

Recital Information:

Our recital is held in late spring (tentative date, June 9th). Rehearsal and show dates will be announced as soon as days/times become available to us. We do our best to post all days and times by the first of the year so there is plenty of time to adjust your schedule.

If participating in the spring recital, rehearsals (both studio and stage) are mandatory. No exceptions will be made.

Social Media/Internet Policy:

Posting pictures or videos without the permission of the studio and/or guardians of each dancer is prohibited. 

Choreography is property of the studio and is not to be posted via Youtube, Facebook etc. without the permission of the teacher and/or studio.

Negative comments involving any teacher, the studio, a dance family or dancer is strictly prohibited. We have a no tolerance policy for bullying and that carries over to social media.

Anyone caught violating any of these rules will be asked to leave the studio. No exception.