General

Please review all policies and procedures, then download and complete the REGISTRATION and RELEASE form.  You and/or your child will not be allowed to take class until we have this signed form on record.

IMPORTANT:  In an effort to be a “green” business and communicate with students and parents as efficiently and accurately as possible, the Baltimore School of Dance uses only e-mail, Facebook and Twitter to send out sudden class cancellation notices, important reminders and updates.  It is very simple, safe and free to set up accounts at these media sites and you can have both go to your cell phone.

 

Please make sure you include an e-mail address that you check daily when you register on the Studio Director and DO NOT set the e-mail preferences to “do not send e-mails to family.”  We use this e-mail tool to send account statements, progress reports, reminders, class cancellations and other vital information.  We respect your privacy and will never sell or give out your e-mail address.  Please DO NOT mark email from us as SPAM.  SPAM is not junk mail, they are scam and phishing emails that are potentially criminal.  If you would like to be removed from our email list at any time, just ask.

 

As of 8-1-2011, EVERYONE will be required to have a valid credit card on file, regardless of how you want to pay your tuition.  No exceptions.  If we do not receive payment by the 1^st of the month, your card will be billed and a late fee applied by the 6th.

General Studio Policies

Registration

A non-refundable fee of $30.00 per new student or $15.00 per returning student is required yearly at time of registration plus 1st installment payment to reserve class space. All students must create a Studio Director account and fill out a policy/release form COMPLETELY and mail it with payment (if not paying with a credit card through the Studio Director). All families must have a credit card on file, no exceptions.  If you want to pay monthly with a credit card, you must enroll in automatic payments.  Credit cards will be charged on the 1^st of the month.  If you are not enrolled in automatic/recurring payments and do not pay by the 5^th, you will be charged a late fee and your credit card will be billed on the 6^th of the month.  Tuition will be prorated for late enrollment.

Age Requirements

Student must be the required age by Sept. 1 and will not be allowed to switch mid year when they have a birthday.

 

Withdrawals and Refunds

There is a two month minimum on all classes. If you register for a class, you are responsible for a minimum of two monthly payments per class, regardless of how many classes you attend.  You may be responsible for more than 2 monthly payments if the cost of the number of classes that were attended is more than the monthly payments.  One month’s notice from the first of the month is required to discontinue any class. Withdrawals must be done in person at the school’s office (not with the teacher) and will not be accepted over the phone. No withdrawals will be accepted after April 1. To withdraw from a class/classes a parent or adult must: 1) Inform director in person, and 2) Complete and sign a withdrawal form. THERE ARE NO REFUNDS ON TUITION  NO EXCEPTIONS, a studio credit (available only to immediate family) will be issued and may be carried for up to 1 year from the date of issue. No refunds for attire or costumes will be given. The Baltimore School of Dance reserves the right to terminate lessons to any student without notice.

Care of Students

Baltimore School of Dance is not responsible for providing before or after class care for students. Small children should be taken to the bathroom prior to class to help minimize frequent “potty breaks”. Please supervise children in the bathroom, dressing room, and lobby.  Children are NOT allowed in the dance studio unless supervised by a BSD TEACHER.  The studio is a place of learning, not a daycare or play area.  Please keep noise to a minimum.  Please do not be late picking up your student, particularly after the last class of the evening. Late pick up fees will be charged at $1.00 per minute.

Injuries

Parents, legal guardians of minor students and adult students waive the right to any legal action for any injury sustained on school property resulting from dance activity conducted by the student before, during and after class time.

Photo Release

The Baltimore School of Dance is hereby granted permission to take photographs and video of the students to use in promotional material the school creates. Permission is also granted for Baltimore School of Dance to copyright such photographs in its name.

 

Student Pick Up/Drop Off

NO PARKING in the auto body parking lot for ANY length of time. YOUR CAR WILL BE TOWED!

Observation

Classes are closed to the public. Only students are permitted in the classrooms. Parents may observe on scheduled observation days and via observation windows from the lobby.

Waiting Area

The waiting area is for your convenience. Please pick up and clean up after your children and report all spills to the front desk. Siblings are always welcome but must remain quiet and safe at all times. Absolutely no running or yelling in the hallways.

Food & Drink

Food and drinks are to be kept in the lobby area. Water only may be brought into the studio.

Restrooms/Dressing Rooms

Restrooms are not to be used to change for class. Do not throw away dirty diapers in the bathroom, waiting room or studio trash cans. The dressing room is a private area, but please do not lock the door. Screen has been added for modest students.  No eating or drinking in the dressing room. No hanging out or doing homework in the dressing room.

Cancellation Policy

A substitute instructor will replace the original instructor in cases of illness or vacation. If a class has to be cancelled, the class will be notified by email of the cancellation and makeup day, if necessary.

 

Snow Policy

We follow Baltimore City Public Schools regarding inclement weather. Tuition is based on the full year, so your class may not need to be made up. We will notify you if a makeup class is necessary.

Teacher Conferences/Questions

If you wish to leave a note for the director or instructors, their mailboxes are located at the front desk. They will be happy to assist or address any concerns that you may have. Please do not delay teachers between their classes.

Terms & Conditions

Baltimore School of Dance reserves the right to change days and/or times of classes as needed. In the event that 3 or less students report to class, class may be shortened 10-15 minutes at the discretion of the instructor. If a class has less than 3 students registered, we reserve the right to move them to a similar class or cancel the class.

Discipline Policy

Baltimore School of Dance strives to offer a place of safety, fun and learning in a minimally restrictive environment. For small children, a gentle redirection will be given. After several redirections, a “timeout” will be given.   After two “timeouts” are given, the student will be asked to leave the room and discuss with Parent/Guardian why following directions in class is essential to everyone’s safety and enjoyment. For older children, if disciplinary action is required, the following steps will be followed: 1st Incident) The instructor will talk with the student about their behavior. 2nd Incident) The Parent/Guardian of the student will be called and informed of the student’s behavior. 3rd Incident) The director of the school will be notified and the student will be suspended from class for one week. 4th Incident) The director will be notified and the student will be expelled from all classes for the remainder of the year.

Depending on the severity of the infraction, Baltimore School of Dance reserves the right to accelerate this process and expel the student without intermediary steps. Should a student be removed from class no credit or refund will be given.