UNIVERSE DANCE SCHOOL

                  Policies and Procedures

 

                        Enrollment Policies

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• First semester is from August to December; Second semester is from January to May.

• Upon enrollment or before, the director will determine the student's level of placement.

• Students wishing to make any changes to their class schedule must do so in writing at least 30 days prior to the start of each month, or they will be automatically re-enrolled in the courses taken the previous month.

• All workshops, masterclasses, or specialized classes are offered at an additional charge and are not included in tuition.

• All continuing students are expected to re‐enroll before the start of the school year in August.

• Enrollment will consist of reading, agreeing to, and signing all necessary forms for your student, including but not limited to:

  • UDS Registration Form

  • UDS Policies and Procedures

  • Tuition and Billing Form

  • Competition Team Form

  • Release of Liability Form

  • Photography and Videography Release

 

                             Billing Information

• All monthly tuition is due on the 1st of each month. Tuition payments received after the 5th of the month will incur a $25 late fee.

• All debit or credit card payments will include a 2.59% fee on the total payment. This also applies to payments made automatically through the Studio Portal app. Payments made by cash or check will incur no such fee.

• Full tuition may be paid in advance for the semester for a 5% discount, and tuition paid in advance for the year will receive a 10% discount.

• Fees are based on 10 months of instruction plus a 2‐month summer intensive course. There are weeks during the year when the studio may be closed. Billing for months with fewer classes due to holidays will be prorated accordingly.

•                                  Family Discount

  • There is a 10% family discount on the total tuition (for the students of the same family) if payments are made together. Family discounts apply only to direct family members. This discount does not apply to class fees, workshops, masterclasses, or specialized classes.

•                                 Vacations

  • No adjustments to tuition will be made for absences or vacations, unless otherwise noted 30 days in advance.

  • Those who notify the 30 30 days in advance may arrange to pay only for the classes they will attend that month, at a rate of $25 per class hour.

•                             Refund Policy

  • If a student withdraws for any reason (injury, illness), unused tuition will be credited to the account and can be used to re-enroll within the same school year.

  • Any credit is non-transferable and will be forfeited if not used within that year.

  • Refund credits are issued only for classes canceled by the school.

  • No refund credit is available if a student withdraws permanently, unless protected under a Military Clause.

•                             Make-Up Classes

  •  Students may make up for missed classes, but the make-up class must be at the same level or lower, not higher, and must be taken within the same month.

  • Make-up classes may be carried over from one semester to another only with administrative approval.

  • The correct day and time for make-up classes must be arranged with the instructor in advance.

 

                                 Class Placement by Level

• Level placement evaluations typically occur at the start of each fall and spring semester, otherwise at the time of enrollment.

• After summer session, returning students will be placed in the appropriate class.

• Placement is at the sole discretion of our teaching staff.

• Students promoted to the next level before summer are encouraged to take summer classes in preparation for the next level beginning in fall.

 

                             Arrival & Dismissal

• Parents are responsible for dropping off and picking up children on time. Parents are strongly encouraged to call the studio or message the administration if they are running late.

• Parents should not arrive after the studio has closed.

• No child under 10 may be left alone in a studio without an instructor present.

 

                               Communication

Consistent and effective communication is key to a successful partnership between our families and the school. UDS communicates via:

• Email (our primary form of communication—parents are advised to ensure their email address is correctly registered).

• Notices on our information board or at the school entrance.

• Text messages or personal phone calls.

• In person.

 

                 Communication Between Parents & Teachers

• Parents with concerns about their children or other general concerns are encouraged to schedule a meeting with school administration.

• Since instructors may have limited time before or after class, it is best to arrange an appointment for a private conversation at a mutually convenient time.

• Parents are not allowed to message or call any UDS instructor directly. All concerns or questions must be directed only to the UDS directors.

 

                                Food, Beverages, Trash & Lost Items

• No food or drinks are allowed in the studios other than water, which must be in a water bottle.

• UDS is not responsible for any personal belongings left in the studio.

• The lost‐and‐found box is located at the end of the hallway.

• To keep the environment clean and organized, we ask students and parents to retrieve personal items and dispose of trash in the bins.

 

                                       Injuries

• For safety, UDS reserves the right to verbally correct any child behaving in a way that may cause physical harm to themselves or others. If the behavior does not stop, the instructors reserve the right to remove the child from the studio.

• If a child is injured, parents will be notified immediately.

• Parents are strongly encouraged to keep their phones handy and have emergency numbers on file with the office.

• As dance is a physical activity, injuries may occur.

• Students may opt out of any activity they deem potentially harmful and must inform the instructor of any physical limitations.

 

                                          Observation Policies

• Parents and guests may observe classes during Parent-Watch weeks in November and March.

• After enrollment, parents wishing to observe a student’s class must obtain permission from the director and instructor.

• Observation is allowed from outside the classroom while maintaining respect and discipline.

• Parents must not interact with the student during class, as it may be distracting.

• Injured dancers are expected to attend class in uniform and take notes at the front of the room if able.

 

                                    Photo, Video & Audio Consent

• Upon enrolling, parents receive and sign a form to authorize or deny permission for the institution to photograph, video record, or audio-record their student(s) for promotional use on our website, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

 

 

 

                                                  Code of Conduct

• Students are expected to behave appropriately and show respect for teachers and classmates.

• UDS has a zero‐tolerance policy for bullying and will not allow any behavior that endangers the physical or emotional safety of others.

• Respect for teachers, parents, and peers is required at all times.

• Inappropriate behavior will result in removal from class and notification to parents.

• Students must arrive on time for all classes—arriving 10 minutes early is strongly recommended as late arrivals waste valuable learning time and are disruptive.

• Instructors may refuse entry to students arriving more than 10 minutes late.

• UDS is not responsible for students who leave the premises during breaks or between classes; students must remain on the premises until picked up by parents or guardians.

• Chewing gum is not allowed in class.

• Outside class attire is required when not in the studio; during class and rehearsal students must wear their assigned class attire.

• Students must remove shoes in the studio unless specifically required. Bags and belongings should be stored in hallway cubbies.

• Running, touching mirrors, or hanging on barres is not permitted.

• Students must wear the correct uniform for each class, following UDS uniform requirements.

• Hair must be neatly tied up, and in a bun for girls with a ribbon in the designated color for each level:

 

     Ribbon Color by Level

 

• Primary - White

• Beginner Ballet - Light Pink

• Level 1 - Golden Yellow

• Level 2 - Purple

• Level 3 - Dark Green

• Level 4 - Dark Blue

• Level 5 - Red

• Pre‐professional (Levels 6, 7 & 8) - Black

Leotards by Level

• Baby Ballet - any color

• Primary - white with white skirt

• Beginner Ballet -pink with light pink skirt

• Level 1–5 - black

• Pre-Professional Levels 6,7,8 - black

 

• Attire for Contemporary, Lyrical Jazz, Hip-hop, Physical Training, Acro classes - Black pants or leggings, with a black top.

• Long‐sleeve leotards are allowed in winter, following the level’s required color.

• Theft of any kind in the studio will result in immediate dismissal.

• All belongings must be labeled, and valuables should be left at home.

• Only stud earrings are permitted in class.

• Students are not allowed to bring cell phones into classrooms. Parents are encouraged to communicate with the school regularly.

 

                                    Safety

All Universe Dance School families must take seriously and abide by all rules stated in this document, which are established to ensure the safety and well‐being of all students. UDS has 24‐hour surveillance cameras for student, parent, and teacher security.

 

                                     Performance Opportunities

Universe Dance School offers performance opportunities such as the December production of “The Nutcracker” and the year-end performance in June.

We also offer placement in the Universe Dance Company, our youth company that participates in national and international competitions. This troupe is comprised of students selected for exceptional ability and a strong desire to promote their artistic talents.

 

                                 Severe Weather Information

 

In the event of severe weather, parents are advised to stay alert for updates. UDS will send an email regarding class cancellations due to severe weather. If severe weather occurs during class hours, parents should keep their phones nearby for possible announcements about suspending classes.