Family
Handbook

Tuition & payments

 

In short: a flat monthly fee, charged automatically on the 1st. Late after the 10th.

 

PAYMENTS

 

Payments for lessons and group classes are a monthly flat fee that remains the same regardless of the number of weeks in a month, school closings, absences, or school vacations. Your first month will be prorated based on the number of visits, except when starting in the first week of the month. All payments are processed by auto-payment on the first of the month. A valid form of payment must be kept on file via the SCSPA portal while your membership is active or on hold. Any payment given past the 10th of the month will result in a $35.00 late fee. Lessons will not be taught if payment is more than 3 weeks late, and will not be resumed again until the account is current.

 

Absences & make-ups

 

In short: cancel in the portal 24+ hours ahead for a make-up.

 

PRIVATE LESSONS

 

Single visit cancellations for private lessons can be processed via the client portal. This will notify the studio and the assigned teacher of the change in attendance for that given day.

 

If a student cancels more than 24 hours prior to their private lesson, they will be given a make-up credit for our make-up class.

 

If a student cancels less than 24 hours prior to a private lesson or does not attend without notice to the studio, there will be no credit given. The instructor will post asynchronous work in the portal for the student to do in lieu of their lesson (which will also be received by email).

 

If an instructor cancels and we are unable to provide a guest teacher for the lesson, the student will receive a credit for a makeup private lesson.

 

GROUP CLASSES

 

If you cannot attend your group class on a given date and you would like to make up that class, please reach out to the office by text. If you let us know more than 24 hours in advance, an office staff member will assist you in finding an available alternative as a makeup class.

 

SCHEDULE CHANGES

 

We understand that your personal schedule can change. If you have an extended conflict of more than a month with your assigned lesson/class time, please let us know at the studio. We can help you find a new lesson time with your current instructor or a new instructor.

 

Pausing or cancelling

 

In short: email cancellations@scschoolofperformingarts.com by the 20th to stop next month's charge.

 

HOW TO PAUSE OR CANCEL

 

The office of SCSPA (not the student's teacher) must receive a withdrawal notice in writing to cancellations@scschoolofperformingarts.com stating the student's name and what classes the student has chosen to pause or cancel. A verbal withdrawal will not be sufficient. You will receive an auto-response with a link to our cancellation form that must be completed to complete your withdrawal request.

 

Registration fees, showcase registration fees, costume fees, and tuition fees are non-refundable. If notice of withdrawal, for either a subscription pause or cancellation, is not received in written form to cancellations@scschoolofperformingarts.com by the 20th of the month, you will automatically be charged for the following month's tuition. There will be no refunds issued.

 

Our processing team works on holds and cancellations at the end of the month, so you will see the changes to your account, schedule and invoices made at that time.

 

The member portal & teacher notes

 

In short: book, cancel and message your teacher in the portal.

 

USING THE PORTAL

 

We are proud to offer an online portal for all scheduling and student/instructor communication. Log in with Member Portal at the top of any page on our website. In the portal, you can register for classes, cancel a class to let us know you will be absent, and communicate with your instructor.

 

When an instructor sends you a message, you will receive it as an email and see it in the portal. If you would like to reply to the instructor directly, please do so in the portal. Replying to their email will go to our admin office rather than the teacher.

 

LESSON COMMENTS

 

It is the policy of SCSPA that all instructors leave comments after every lesson/class summarizing the content of the lesson, the progress of the student, and the skills to be practiced at home before the next lesson. Some instructors also offer comments and summaries of group class curriculum and progress.

 

Drop-off, pickup & the lobby

 

In short: a parent or listed contact must be in the building at pickup.

 

PICKUP

 

Teachers are not permitted to dismiss students from classes or lessons unless the parent or guardian is physically present in the building to pick them up. If someone other than the parent or guardian is picking up a student, we will verify that their name is listed in the emergency contact section of the student's profile in the portal before releasing the student.

 

DURING GROUP CLASSES

 

Guardians should wait in the lobby area during group classes (unless they are a registered part of the class for early childhood classes).

 

DURING PRIVATE LESSONS

 

Guardians are encouraged to wait in the lobby during private lessons, but they are welcome to attend lessons if they wish. We understand that some students may benefit from one-on-one instruction, while others may feel more at ease with a guardian present during the lesson.

 

What to bring & wear

 

In short: music books to every lesson. Dancers dressed and ready 5 minutes early.

 

MUSIC BOOKS & MATERIALS

 

Students must bring ALL music books to lessons. Our studio has beginner lesson books for piano, ukulele, and guitar that will be used for lessons and billed to the student. Students enrolled in the Animal Adventures program will also receive new books from the studio required for their lessons every ten weeks, which will be billed to the student account. Other lesson materials may also be recommended by the teacher (PDF printouts, supplemental books, etc.) and should also be brought to each lesson.

 

PRACTICING AT HOME

 

Students will make the most progress if they practice at home during the week between lessons, so practicing is encouraged. Voice students may want to bring a recording device (a phone is fine) to record their lessons for practice. Feel free to bring a water bottle with you to lessons if needed.

 

DANCE CLASS

 

Dancers should wear comfortable clothing (leotards and tights recommended but optional) and appropriate footwear for their particular class (ballet shoes, jazz shoes). Arrive about 5 minutes early for your class dressed and ready to go.

 

Showcases & costumes

 

In short: performing is optional and encouraged. Costume balances must be paid first.

 

CONCERTS & SHOWCASES

 

Participation in performances is not required but encouraged. Tickets will be available for purchase. All are welcome to attend the performances. Additional opportunities may arise throughout the year and we will communicate them accordingly.

 

DANCE COSTUME FEES

 

Dancers will have additional fees for Showcase costumes. No refunds are given for costume fees. Children will not receive their costumes or be allowed on stage at the showcase if there is an outstanding balance at SCSPA. Costume returns and exchanges will have additional fees.