Policies and Procedures

Student Pick-Up Policy
It is very important that you pick your child up in timely manner. Students must be picked up within 15 minutes after their last class, or at class’ end if it is the last class of the ACA day. We care deeply about our students, but our very limited staff cannot be responsible for childcare duties that take them beyond their job descriptions and normal working hours. If you are running late, please call the office immediately at 989-3363. Should there be more than one occurrence from the same family, ACA will charge the family $20 for every 15 minutes, or portion thereof, in order to retain security and personnel past their regularly scheduled hours.

Injury Procedure
There are times when a student may have an injury or illness that may make them unable to participate fully in their scheduled class. In this case the student is to have a injury/illness notifi- cation form completed to present to the teacher of each class that the student is to attend for that day. This form is available at the front reception desk. That process is to be repeated for each day the student is unable to participate fully. Should a student injure themselves in a class, they are to notify their teacher immediately so the proper procedures may be followed.

Classroom Guidelines
We maintain the fun and high energy that dancing creates but also encourage disciplined behavior. Respect for the teacher and for one another is essential to a successful classroom environment.

• All street clothing and shoes are to be removed prior to entering the studio, and be placed neatly in your ballet bag.
• If you must leave class early, please tell the teacher BEFORE class. When you leave you must catch the teacher’s eye so he/she can dismiss you with a nod.
• If you are late to class, come in as quietly as possible so as not to distract the class. Walk in behind the movement . In cases where a student is 10 or more minutes late to class, they may be asked to actively observe rather than to take class. This is because the student may not be properly warmed up and may risk injury.
• Yawning openly or leaning/hanging on the ballet barre in front of the instructor is rude. Please be considerate and cover your mouth and stand still when being given instruction.
• Appropriate attire and attitude (OPEN and POSITIVE) are required!
• Foul language will not be tolerated. Respectful language is always to be used when speaking to fellow students, parents, and staff.
• No jewelry is to be worn in class-this includes necklaces, bracelets (wrist and ankle), watches, etc. Stud earrings are fine (no dangling earrings).
• No gum, food, or drinks are allowed in the studios. Water bottles are allowed.
• Do not set anything on the piano.
• Attention to your own work and development (and not others) will improve your concentration and ability to act upon instructions and incorporate corrections.
• Never stop in the middle of a combination when dancing across the floor and walk off. Continue to move in an improvisatory fashion if you cannot remember the sequence.
• Students should acknowledge the teacher after the completion of class as directed.
• Please remove all clothing and articles from the studio immediately after class. If they are left in the studio, ACA cannot be held responsible for them.

Waiting Area
Parents are invited to wait for their child in the lobby of ACA. There are snacks and drinks available for your convenience. Bring your cell phone, your laptop or a really good book and make our home your home. If you have brought other children with you while waiting, please be sure that you are supervising them. We do also ask that parents remain in the lobby and do not block class doorways. The back hallway that leads to the dance company costume rooms and Artistic Director’s Office and is off limits to all visitors, including parents and students.

Refund/Withdrawal Policy

• NO refunds will be given for classes missed because of a student’s personal schedule. In the event of a prolonged illness or injury that prohibits dancing, a doctor’s statement must be presented to the Director or the Office Manager in order to secure a partial refund.
• Registration and production fees are not refundable.
• Classes missed may be made up within one month.
• A student may withdraw during the first 4 weeks of enrollment and will be refunded only the production fee. (effective October 1, 2008) Any student withdrawing after the first 4 weeks of class, is responsible for the balance of the tuition for the year. Withdrawal requests at any time during the semester must be made in writing. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. Refund Policy: After the first 4 weeks of the year, no tuition refunds will be given without a written, signed medical excuse. There are no refunds on Costumes once the order has been placed. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

Photographs
Photographs taken during class and performances may be used for promotional purposes. No student shall be discriminated against in regards to race, creed or color.

Lobby and Dressing Room Guidelines
We strive to have this be a safe and comfortable environment for your children, hence we ask:

• Please do not climb or allow others to climb on any railings, chairs or tables within the lobby and dressing room areas. At no time should anyone be sitting, standing or lying on tables or standing on chairs or benches.
• Please do not sit in or block any walkways in the lobby or administrative areas.
• Only students actively attending classes should be in the dressing rooms. This area is not a play area for any other children.
• All ballet bags and personal belongings must be taken inside the studios during your class time unless otherwise directed by your instructor. At no point are bags, purses or clothing to be left unattended in the lobby, halls dressing rooms. Purses should be placed deep within ballet bags and the bags kept closed at all times.
• Please be considerate of those around you. Turn off all cell phones and pagers during class times. Throwing objects, running and rough-housing are not permitted within the lobby and dressing room areas.
• Coloring books and crayons and books are available for waiting children. Please return them to their proper place when finished with them.
• Staff, students, parents and siblings should be respectful of each other. Manners are not only appreciated but expected at all times.

Safety Guidelines for the Drop-off and Pick-up Areas

• Students should always wear street clothes (shorts, skirt, pants, etc.) over their dance attire as well as street shoes when arriving to and leaving from class. Students should never wear their dancing shoes outside of the building, as they will pick up debris that will ruin their shoes and the studio floors.
• Parents dropping off their child at the front door should watch their children until they have safely entered the building.
• Parents picking up their children should instruct their child to stay within the facility until they see you and your vehicle. They should not hang around outside the door or stand outside the door at the front or in back of the building while waiting.

Weather Policy
In the case of inclement weather, the Academy telephone message (512-989-3363) will be changed to reflect any changes in class schedules due to weather. Make-up classes can be scheduled for any classes missed due to a weather emergency.

Tuition Payment Policy
Registration is for a 10 month calendar year. Tuition is the same for all months. Registrations received after May 17, 2008 will be accepted on a space-available basis. Registration fees and production fees are non-refundable. Tuition is not transferrable. There are no refunds or credits due to absences. All classes are subject to change based on enrollment. All tuition is due by the 1st of each month, August-May. We will not invoice you. Accounts not paid by the 5th of each month will incur a $15 late charge and an additional $10 for every month tuition is past due. Balances from the previous year must be paid-off by the first day of classes in August or students will be removed from class until the account is up-to-date. Current students with delinquent accounts past the first of May, may not be eligible to perform in the Spring Student Performance.

Family Payment Plan
In order to serve our ACA families’ needs most equitably, we have devised the following payment plan: The first family member will pay full tuition, the second family member’s tuition will be discounted 10%. and the third family members tuition will be discounted 15%. This does not apply to registration or production fees.

No student shall be discriminated against in regards to race, creed, or color.