The Ballet Academy, Inc.
2009-2010 Student & Parent Handbook
REGISTRATION AND REGISTRATION FEE
Registration is conducted by mail, online or in person. Students register for the entire academic year, September through May. There is an annual registration fee of $10 per student or $15 per family that is due with the registration form prior to the start of class. To discontinue enrollment, a 30-day advance written notice is required. If the student re-enrolls, a new registration fee will be charged.
TUITION AND TUITION DISCOUNTS
Tuition is paid in two installments due at registration and January 5th or by the month. Tuition is prorated over a 9-month period with the first payment due at registration. The remaining monthly payments are collected via electronic withdrawal on the 1st Wednesday of each month, October through May.
REFUND POLICY
There will be no refunds for missed classes. Students are encouraged to make up classes in another class of the same or similar level. Classes not held due to holidays or weather may also be made up.
BAD WEATHER
Morning classes at the Academy are canceled when Cedar Rapids cancels its morning pre-school programs. Afternoon/evening programs at the Academy are canceled if Cedar Rapids Schools cancels their afternoon or evening activities or if Coe College and/or Kirkwood College cancel evening classes. If there is a winter storm advisory or tornado watch and newscasts advise travelers to stay home or seek shelter, classes are canceled.
OBSERVATION
Parents and family members may observe classes during Observation Week, the week before Spring Break.
CLASSROOM ATTIRE AND HAIR
Students wear their class leotards, tights and ballet slippers. Separate ballet skirts are permitted in Level 4 and up. For Jazz, Tap and Irish students may wear either black jazz pants with a solid color tank top/camisole or black over-tights with a solid color leotard. In all classes, hair must be secure away from the face; for ballet, hair must be styled into a bun. Jewelry should be restricted to small earrings only. Required attire for male students is a white T-shirt, black tights/dance pants, and white ballet slippers.
LEVEL PLACEMENT POLICY
Students are placed into levels by age and ability as determined by faculty evaluation. Students frequently spend more than one year in a level depending on the number of classes taken, personal progress and age. To ensure the quality of teaching, The Ballet Academy, Inc. reserves the right to discontinue a student who fails to exhibit interest, attendance, discipline or progress.
PRE-REQUISITES FOR POINTE WORK
Level 3 and up can include pointe for dancers who are ready. The student must commit a minimum of two ballet classes per week and must have achieved, as determined by teacher evaluation, “the required strength, balance and coordination for purposeful pointe work.” (The Healthy Dancer: ABT Guidelines for Dancer Health) Dancers who are not on pointe (including boys) will participate in the pointe section of class in their regular technique shoes. This section of class will also include general foot and ankle strengthening and boys' steps.
POINTE SHOES
Please consult with your teacher before purchasing pointe shoes and obtain your teacher’s approval before sewing ribbons or wearing your pointe shoes. For pointe shoe fitting we recommend Mark’s Dancewear, 6212 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, IA 50131. Call 515-270-0744 to make an appointment for a fitting.
LES BEAUX ARTS (RECITAL) PERFORMANCE FEES
There is a $50.00 performance fee per student. The performance fee for additional siblings under 18 years of age is $25 each. The performance fee is mandatory. Admission is free, with a $2.00 recommended free-will donation.
SPRING CONCERT COSTUME POLICY AND FEE
Costumes for all ballet and modern classes are $45 each class. The costume fee for Jazz/Tap is $80 and this fee includes two costumes. For hygienic and modesty reasons, we recommend that each dancer purchase an inexpensive nude liner to wear under costumes, especially if the dancer is in more than one class. Some custom designed costumes such as handmade tutus are the property of The Ballet Academy, Inc. After the performance concludes purchased costumes are the property of the student.
SPRING CONCERT PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY POLICY
No flash photography is permitted in order to protect the safety of the dancers. Professional photographers must sign permission and release forms prior to working at our performances. No videography is permitted when professional videography is in house as part of the agreement for their services. All Academy performances, choreography, website, and written material are copyrighted.