2024-2025 Student/Parent Policies
Oct 30, 2024 11:11 AM
2024-2025 Student/Parent Contract
*Please note that this contract has been updated from previous years. Kindly read and consider all terms carefully.*
Welcome to Charleston Dance Center. Classes begin August 19, 2024.
YEAR END PERFORMANCE PARTICIPATION
As a student at CDC, I have the option to participate in the Year End Performance in June 2025 . I understand that participation includes the need to purchase performance costumes, tights, shoes and a Performance Fee of $150 per dancer or $200 per family.
I understand that in order for my dancer to participate in the Year End Performance, our account must be paid in full. Charleston Dance Center reserves the right to deny participation in the Year End Performance if there is any outstanding balance. Additionally, I acknowledge that Charleston Dance Center will not provide reimbursements for Year End Performance fees, tickets, costumes, or other related expenses if my dancer is unable to participate due to an unpaid balance.
REGISTRATION/ENROLLMENT
The annual registration fee is $40 for each student. The Registration Fee is non-refundable and is due along with the first month's tuition to secure your spot in the class.
TUITION
Tuition is averaged across all months (4-5 weeks per month including time off for Spring Break and the Christmas Holiday. Five week months serve to cover classes missed due to holidays.) Therefore, you are charged equally each month, regardless of the actual number of lessons given in a month, including our show month, June. AUGUST IS THE ONLY MONTH PRORATED. THERE WILL BE NO TUITION REDUCTION FOR CLASSES MISSED OR MAKE UP CLASSES OFFERED.
Payment Methods:
All students must have a payment method on file with the studio. We accept ACH & credit cards for automatic monthly payments that will be charged on the 1st of every month through our online portal, Dance Studio Pro. However, you have the option to pay in person with check or cash prior to the 1st of every month to avoid the card service fee. Please make checks payable to "Charleston Dance Center." Write your child's name and the nature of the payment at the bottom of the check.
There is a 1.5 % transaction fee for ACH and 3.5% for credit cards.
Returned Checks:
In the event of a returned check, a $50 fee will be charged to your account to cover administrative costs.
Late Payment Policy:
If your payment does not clear on the 1st of the month, you will have until the 10th of the month to bring in the payment to avoid a $10 late fee. If payment is not received by the 10th, the late fee will be added to your account.
$1 per day will be added to your account until the 20th when you will receive a total of $20 late fee.
Withdrawal Policy:
Withdrawal from the program must be made in writing and the account must be settled within 14 days of withdrawal.
If no formal withdrawal request is received, CDC will continue to charge your account and you will be responsible for those payments regardless of attendance.
ON TIME ARRIVAL AND PICK UP
Dancer Drop Off and Pick Up:
Dancers may not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled class time.
Please pick up your child promptly after class. While our front desk is staffed, CDC cannot supervise children left after class. It is crucial for the safety and well-being of our dancers that they are not left unattended, especially since there may be another class scheduled that may be canceled afterward. There have been instances when the last class of the night is canceled, and dancers who haven't been picked up on time have delayed CDC staff from being able to go home. After one time, your account will be charged $2 per minute if faculty must wait on your child.
Late Arrival Policy:
Students arriving 15 minutes late to class may be asked to observe the class rather than participate. Timeliness is essential for a safe and effective dance experience. Dancers who arrive late to class may not have sufficient time for proper stretching, increasing the risk of potential injuries.
Minimum Attendance Requirements & Class Cancellation Policy:
To ensure the best learning experience for all participants, we require a minimum number of students to be present for each class to be held successfully. Typically, this number is six.
Failure to attend class or consistently arriving late may lead to class cancellations due to poor attendance. Please be aware that classes canceled for this reason will not be rescheduled by CDC.
Excessive absences will not have you prepared for the Year End Performance and you realize the teacher has the right to pull you from the show and your costume fees are non-refundable.
CLASS OBSERVATION
Lobby-Based Monitors:
CDC has class observations available via television monitors in the lobby. The monitors are a courtesy to our families - please do not adjust the settings.
Please note that the observation monitors are for our downstairs dance rooms only, or Studio A and Studio B on the class schedule.
No Classroom Observations:
Observers are not allowed in the studios - parents/visitors distract our students and inhibit our ability to teach a productive class. Only dancers are allowed beyond the door to the right of the reception window. Parents, siblings and guests must remain in the lobby.
PROPER DANCE ATTIRE
At our dance studio, proper dance attire is essential for effective dance instruction and the safety of our dancers. Students will NOT be allowed to dance without proper dance shoes and attire. Please ensure that your child comes to class wearing the appropriate dance shoes and attire. Below are samples of appropriate attire, for more information please visit our website.
Preschool Classes:
Pink ballet shoes and tan tie tap shoes. Any style or color leotard and tights.
Jazz:
Girls: Leotard or dance top (any color) and dance pants (any color). Tan slip-on jazz shoes (Bloch, SuperJazz is preferably used).
Boys: Leotard or dance top (any color) and dance pants (any color). Black jazz shoes.
Tap:
Leotard or dance top (any color) and tights or dance pants (any color). Tan or black lace-up tap shoes. *NEW THIS YEAR*
Hip Hop:
Funky, comfortable clothing that allows free movement is encouraged. Jeans are not permitted.
Dancers MUST WEAR TENNIS SHOES. Dancers without tennis shoes will not be permitted to take class.
Ballet/ Pointe:
Girls: Black leotards and pink tights. Pink ballet shoes for ballet class. Hair must be securely tied away from the face in a Ballet bun with a hairnet.
Boys: White leotard or shirt and black tights. Black ballet shoes for ballet class.
Dancers NOT DRESSED in the specified attire WILL NOT BE PERMITTED in ballet class.
Shoe Policy:
Dance shoes should be put on at the time of arrival and taken off after class.
Wearing dance shoes outside of the studio can damage both the shoes and our dance floors.
Clothing & Accessory Restrictions:
T-shirts and sweatshirts are not allowed in class, as they hinder proper body alignment and muscle tension checks.
For the safety of our dancers, we do not permit the wearing of dangling jewelry during dance classes.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO PERMISSION
I grant Charleston Dance Center permission to use photographs of my child for publicity and advertising purposes, including promotional materials, social media, and the website. I understand that these photos may showcase the studio's activities and events.
This consent is given without financial compensation, and I acknowledge that Charleston Dance Center owns the rights to the photographs.
If I wish to revoke this consent, I will inform the studio in writing.
YEAR END PERFORMANCE FEE
Each student participating in the Year End Performance will be charged a $150 Performance Fee. This fee includes the following:
A recording of the performance
A performance t-shirt
Two admission tickets for the show.
Families with more than one dancer will be charged a performance fee of $200. The Family Performance Fee includes the following:
A copy of the show.
Two performance t-shirts.
Three admission tickets for the show.
The Performance Fee is due on March 1st, 2025.
YEAR END PERFORMANCE COSTUMES
Costumes will be ordered in December and costume payments (non-refundable) will be paid in full by December 1th, 2024 – NO EXCEPTIONS! Costume charges will be added divided into 3 payments, due October 1, November 1, and December 1.
Youth costumes cost $100 each.
Adult costumes cost $125 each.
Dancers MUST have a costume for each number they are performing in. For example, if your child takes a Jazz/Tap class throughout the year, he/she will perform in two numbers in the performance. (one jazz, one tap). This class requires two costumes, costing $100 (if your child wears a youth size) each. Your costume cost total will be $200.
Please note that CDC does not order recital costumes for Hip Hop classes. Instead, we create a specific "look" and request parents to purchase the costume on their own.
If not paid in full when the group costume order is placed, you will be charged for a $50 fee to cover administrative and shipping costs.
YEAR END PERFORMANCE DRESS REHEARSAL
Dress Rehearsal is MANDATORY for all students. Students are required to stay at rehearsal until all their numbers are rehearsed. Students under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent. It is crucial that students remain present for the entire rehearsal, as any student leaving early will not be permitted to participate in the Year-End Performance.
Additionally, certain classes may have additional rehearsals prior to the Year-End Performance. We will provide advance notice of rehearsal times, and while participation in these rehearsals will not be mandatory, we strongly encourage all students to attend to ensure a successful performance.
STUDIO FACILITY
Pets are not allowed inside the CDC premises.
We kindly request students to turn off ringers on their cellular phones while in the studio to maintain a distraction-free environment.
To keep our studios clean and safe, we do not permit any food, gum, or liquid containers (except water bottles) inside the dance studios.
The use of profanity is unacceptable at CDC.
Any personal items left behind, such as clothing, dance bags, and shoes, will be placed in the Lost and Found bins.
These bins are emptied every two weeks.
To help us return lost items to their rightful owners, we strongly encourage you to label all dance attire, including shoes, with your name.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
CDC follows the Charleston County School closings for inclement weather. In the event of an extended school closure, such as during a hurricane, we will attempt to reschedule any canceled classes. Please check our studio's social media platforms for updates and closings.
SOCIAL MEDIA
We would like to remind all students and parents that postings on the internet are not private and can have long-lasting effects.
Please adhere to the following social media guidelines:
Use social networks respectfully and exercise good judgment in posting material.
Refrain from posting comments that could be considered inappropriate or harmful to CDC, its employees, or fellow students.
Avoid making disparaging remarks about other dance studios, their teams, employees, or students.
Do not publish, post, or release confidential information, including performance videos.
Bring to the attention of CDC any posts encountered that undermine good sportsmanship.
CDC reserves the right to randomly check social media postings without warning. Any content deemed negative, hurtful, or unsportsmanlike may result in consequences, including the student and/or their parent being asked to leave the studio.
Thank you for choosing Charleston Dance Center. We look forward to providing a wonderful dance experience for your child. If you have any questions or concerns about our payment policies, please don't hesitate to contact us.
I have read and understand Charleston Dance Center’s 2024-2025 Studio Rules and Regulations. By electronically signing this statement, I agree to uphold the studio rules. I understand Charleston Dance Center has the right to refuse dance instruction to any student at any time throughout the dance year.