Home » About » Policies & Procedures

Policies & Procedures

DANCER EXPECTATIONS

  • Have Fun!
  • All Students are making a commitment for the dance season; End-September thru end of May/Beginning of June (unless enrolled into adult or 10 week session programs)
  • All Students are expected to attend each class and arrive on time
  • Respect all classmates and instructors
  • No cell phones/smart watches allowed in classroom
  • No talking in rehearsals or classes
  • No negative comments to or about anyone/work together as a team/support each other with positive feedback…everyone will have his or her time to shine!
  • Water should be brought to class. No gum, food, or drink (besides water) allowed in the studio.
  • All students are expected to try their best and work as hard as they can. 100% effort will pay off! Personal integrity and hard work are what makes dance fun and challenging for everyone.
  • All students must follow the dress code. See dress code information
  • Parents: Please support all dancers and have a great time watching your children grow and learn!
  • We welcome all students and parents to DDA Dance Academy!

COVID-19

  • DDA Policies & Procedures may change at anytime due to COVID-19.

POLICIES & PROCEDURES (ANNUAL PROGRAM FOR GROUP CHILDREN’S CLASSES)

REGISTRATION

Students may register anytime until Beg-December 2022. Register early, classes are limited! Our yearly school runs from September 19th to end of May/or Beg- June. There is an annual non-refundable/non-transferable registration fee of $40 per student ($50/Max. per family). DDA requires that a registration form is completely filled out and signed or electronically agreed to and signed for each dancer for our records, emergency, and scheduling purposes. A reserved spot in class will only be confirmed once payment has been received.

Participants in the program must be at least 2.5yrs. by September 19th, 2022 (unless enrolling into our Music & Movement program for ages 4 months-2.5 years)
DDA reserves the right to make changes to tuition, curriculum, and schedule. A class with less than five students is subject to cancellation. Additional classes and age groups may be added.

TUITION

Tuition ranges from $673-$748 for 1 class for the entire dance season. There is a non-refundable one time fee due upon registration of $40/student ($50/max/family)- non-refundable extended class fee of $150 for 75 minute classes or $300 for 90 minute classes due upon registration.
For convenience, we offer two payment plans… Payment in full before September 19th registration (offering a 2.5% discount if registration is completed before September 19th, 2022 cash check only)-discount does not apply to our tiny tappers program or music & movement program) or the 10 Installment Plan (giving you the option of breaking tuition down into 10 payments).

Tuition is due at the 1st of the month. Payment #1, #9 & #10 are due upon registration plus the registration fee.

Tuition is evenly distributed. It is the cost of the year broken down into 10 payments (3 installments up front). There will be approx. 29-32 dance classes in a school year and picture day/dress rehearsal (unless registering for fitness classes or our tiny tappers program). Methods of payment for sessions or 10 installment plan include cash, credit, or check (credit card payments available online).
Tuition will only be pro-rated beginning November 1st 2022. If enrolling late between September and November 1st, dancers may make up the classes missed from the beginning of the school with in a period of 4 months from enrollment date. Their will not be make up classes due to inclement weather or emergency closures because days are allotted in our school calendar. If we go over the allotted amount DDA allow for make ups in other classes.
Cash or credit card payments only after April 1, 2023. Personal checks will only be accepted before this date.

PAYMENT PLAN

If you choose the 10 Installment payment plan, a credit card will be required to remain on account. If your account is 60 days past due we will charge your credit card. There is a $10 late fee per month for tuition not received during the week due (7 DAY GRACE PERIOD). Please make checks payable to DDA Dance Academy and remember to write dancers’ name in memo! There is a $35 charge for all returned checks.

The dancer will not be able to participate in class/annual recital if the account is not up to date. DDA reserves the right to drop any student for non-payment of their tuition. Invoices will only be sent out via email if a payment is late.

  • Please note, if you prepay and are unable to complete the season, refunds cannot be granted. Tuition is non -refundable.

CLASS PLACEMENT

DDA staff and Director determine placement in classes, as we strive to provide each student with an optimal dance experience. Age is a guideline for class placement but not the determining factor. We not only assess of the student’s ability and development, but by their dedication, loyalty, performance in class and attitude.

INCLEMENT WEATHER AND SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS

Should the studio be closed due to inclement weather or emergencies, dance class cancellations and information will be emailed, posted on our website and facebook, or you can call 201.819.7989 and check the studio message an hour before classes commence. The academy reserves the right to use substitute teachers when necessary

ACADEMY CLOSINGS

We will be closed during Thanksgiving, Winter Recess, February Recess, Spring Recess, and Memorial Day Weekend. Please refer to our calendar document for specific dates.

COMMUNICATION POLICY

Parents please check your email regularly, almost all information and photos will be communicated via email. Please make sure emails from info@ddadance.com (DDA Dance Academy) are not being blocked and going into your spam folder! If you do not have email, please check our website often to make sure you are receiving all of the latest information.

Thank you! Newsletters, reminders, and any statements of account will be communicated by email as well. Information may also be posted in lobby. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to be aware of important dates and all studio activities. Please inform us of any address, telephone, or email changes throughout the year.

VIEWING CLASSES

To preserve quality of instruction and minimize distractions to your child and/or others, we ask that a parent/guardian drop dancer off at the start of their class time and pick child up directly outside their classroom door 5 minutes prior to the end of class. Parents are not allowed inside the room to watch class. However, we have a closed circuit camera system set up for you to view classes on a TV in the lobby at times during the year. Please respect our viewing policy and wait for parent’s observation week.

PARENTS OBSERVATION FOR AGES 2-5 YEARS

Due to limited space and in order to prevent distractions, parents only are welcome to observe the dance classes during this week (if space allows, grandparents invited as well). Parents will be able to experience the classroom atmosphere, while the dancers can show off their skills. Don’t forget to bring your video camera! Parent’s observation will be during your child’s scheduled class time. Stay tuned... specific observation times, more information, and date to be announced later in the year.

DRESS CODE

Proper attire is important to start a good attitude toward dance class discipline and allows the instructor to view and correct body placement. Please have your child(s) wear their required dance attire. Hair should be up and away from their face in order to participate.

YEAR END DANCE RECITAL

The dates for this performance to be announced. The schedule for our mandatory dress rehearsal will also be given later in the school year. Tickets may be purchased for approximately $25-$27each. Tickets go on sale several weeks before the recital.

Costume deposit of $68/student/class due November 1st. Child costumes average in price from $80-100. Child M-Adult costumes average from $80-$115. Balances are due by December 1st. Costume fees are non-refundable. Costume charges will be processed on these dates automatically if you are on auto pay. Parents/Guardians accept full responsibility for all expenses, including surcharges and postage for costumes ordered late.

DDA has multiple shows recital weekend. Siblings and dancers in multiple classes may be performing in different show times.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Attendance will be taken each class. To reach full potential in class, a student must attend on a consistent basis. We expect regular attendance from all of our students at DDA. Any student arriving 10 minutes after the class has begun will have to observe due to safety reasons. If a student must miss a class, please notify the Academy. Poor class attendance may result in dismissal from performances at the discretion of the instructor.

CHANGING OR WITHDRAWING CLASSES

Dance Classes can be changed within the first two weeks of commencement FREE of charge. Students are expected to complete the dance year. To withdraw/or change from a class, parents/or guardians must fill out and sign a withdrawal/or change form and return it to the studio prior to the first of the month to avoid additional tuition or late charges. Please notify us immediately. If it is not received, you will be responsible for the remaining tuition.

MAKE UP LESSONS/MISSED CLASSES

There is no deduction/credits/refunds in tuition for missed or discontinued lessons. Make-up classes can be arranged due to illness within a four week time period from the missed lesson. It is your responsibility to take advantage of the make-up class offered.

TRIAL CLASS

There is a $25 trial fee for our “no obligation” first time dance class. Students who register after the trial class will have the trial class fee credited that day. A waiver form must be filled out by the parent/guardian of the dancer(s) and handed in prior to participating in the class.

CLASSROOM/STUDIO CONDUCT

DDA strives to offer a place of fun and learning however, students are expected to behave respectfully and courteously at all times toward DDA faculty and staff, as well as towards each other. If a student is found to be disruptive, frequently arriving late without permission, and generally misbehaving, it will not be tolerated. Parents will be notified. They may be asked to sit for a few minutes before continuing with class or in extreme cases will be asked to leave the course and fees will be forfeited.

LOST AND FOUND

DDA is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen items. Please label all belongings! Please check our lost and found box located in schools lobby. All unclaimed items will be discarded or donated to charity every 6 months.

RESTROOM

Please remind children to use the toilet before dance class. If one child has to go, they all do!

DROP OFF/PICK UP

If classes are held after school, children must be dropped off and picked up in a timely fashion. We do not provide child-care. DDA reserves the right to charge account and credit card on file a $15- $30 fee if dancer is not dropped off or picked up in a timely fashion.

ITEMS LEFT AT DDA FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME- DVD/FLASH DRIVES, T-SHIRTS, TIGHTS, COSTUMES ETC.

DDA will only hold onto ordered items that have not been picked up until October of the year ordered. We are not responsible for items that have not been picked up. Items may be donated if not signed out. No refunds will be given.

ASSISTANT TEACHING PROGRAM

Certain classes will have a student assistant teacher to ensure individual attention to each dancer. These assistants are also learning valuable teaching skills under an experienced instructor’s guidance. Please apply for DDA’s Assistant Teaching Program by contacting Ms. Deana.

DDA PARENT VOLUNTEERS

Parent Volunteers are one of the essential elements that will make DDA Dance Academy Recitals so special. Interested in helping out? Please contact Deana for more information. Thank you in advance for your help – it is greatly appreciated.