Student Handbook

Behavior Problems

We want to see all of our students thrive in our dance classes. Students who are repeatedly disrupting class or have shown disrespect to teachers or peers, may be asked to attend an action plan meeting to resolve problems moving forward. If behavior problems are not resolved, students may be removed from class.

Bullying 

We strive to create a safe space for all students to learn, grow, make mistakes, and have fun. Any behavior towards another student that may compromise that is not tolerated and may result in removal from the studio if behavior is not improved. 

If your student is experiencing any form of bullying or harassment at the studio or online by an Innovate PAC student, please contact us immediately to ensure we can resolve the situation and help your student feel safe in our community. 

Social Media

To keep the positive community and atmosphere of Innovate PAC, we ask all caretakers and students to keep social media surrounding the studio, its students, staff, and teachers positive. Any form of negative comments, bullying, or anything that may cause harm to anyone at Innovate PAC is not tolerated and will result in a mandatory action plan meeting that may result in removal from the studio. 

When posting videos of choreography, please receive permission from the teacher/choreography first and always give credit to the choreographer. 

We love seeing you share photos and videos of your dancer! Be sure to tag us in your posts! 

Respect the Property

Please stay in designated areas for parents and dancers, children must be monitored at all times. Grass areas are not part of our rental space. The property also has multiple homes and other businesses. Smoking of any kind is prohibited on the property. 

Tuition

Tuition is due on the 1st of each month. An invoice will be sent out on the 15th of the prior month, for the following month. 

For billing purposes, all 40 minute classes are rounded up to 45 minutes, all 55 minute classes are rounded up to 1 hour, and all 1 hour and 10 minute classes are rounded up to 1 hour and 15 minutes. 

Automatic Tuition Payments

Automatic payments are highly encouraged for families to create ease for everyone, ensuring no tuition payment is missed and removing the risk of late payment fees. To set up automatic tuition payments, please contact the office for an auto pay form.

Late Payments 

Any tuition invoice not paid by the 7th will be subject to a $25 late fee. 

If tuition is overdue by more than one month, the student will not be eligible for classes until tuition is paid in full or until a payment plan is put in place with the studio director. If more than two months of tuition are unpaid, the student will be dropped from all classes.

Any account that is paid late more than two consecutive months must be placed on automatic payments to continue classes. 

We understand unfortunate circumstances may occur leading to late or unpaid tuition payments. Please reach out to our Office Manager to set up an action plan meeting for payment.  

Annual Registration Fee

At registration a $25 registration fee per student is due each year. Payment is due by the student’s 1st class.

Sibling Discount 

20% off one student’s monthly tuition. Applies to the student with the least amount of weekly class hours.

Refunds

All tuition, costume, registration, and any other payment made to Innovate PAC is nonrefundable. 

If your student is going to miss class, a free make-up class may be scheduled if an equivalent class is available on our schedule to your student’s class. Make-up classes must be taken within one month of the missed class and scheduled ahead of time through the office. To schedule a make-up class email office@innovatepac.com. 

For classes requiring placement, the student’s placement is determined by the instructor and studio owner based on ability, age, and experience. New students will be assessed in their first class and may be moved depending on level. 

For all combo, creative dance, tiny tumblers. and beginning level classes, parents may register their dancer without placement based on age. Final placement will be determined by the instructor and studio owner. 

Students are likely to spend 2-3 years in a single level before moving up. Please keep in mind, all students progress at different rates. Level changes typically occur at the start of a dance season, but if the teacher and studio owner see fit, they may be invited to move up a level mid season. Please note, all dance studios use a different system for leveling classes.

As with any program, steady attendance is a requirement for success. Failure to meet such requirements can lead to adjustment in level.

Student safety is of the highest importance, students who arrive more than 15 minutes late to class, may be asked to sit and observe class. Missing warm up greatly increases the chance of a dancer getting injured during class.

Advanced notice of 30 days for withdrawal is preferred. Official notification must be sent to office@innovatepac.com. No tuition reimbursement will be provided.

We put the safety of our dancers of the highest importance. Injuries are documented by teachers in our attendance logs. If a student sits out of class due to the same pain or injury for more than two weeks with no improvement, they are required to get a doctor’s note to return to dancing. 

If a student is injured, we highly recommend observing class and taking notes. Dancers can learn by observing and listening to corrections. This will also allow students to learn and retain any choreography from class.

Our dress code prepares students for success by eliminating distractions, allowing dancers to move safely and properly, increasing focus, and improving confidence. Students not following dress code may be asked to sit and observe class at the discretion of the instructor. 

Learn more on our dress code page 

Innovate Performing Arts Center follows the Arlington School District for all inclement weather events. If classes are canceled due to inclement weather, a make-up class may be scheduled for your student if an equivalent class is available. 

• School is canceled: Studio is closed, all classes are canceled. 

• 2 hour late start: Studio is open, classes run normally. If it is not safe for your student to attend class, email the office to schedule a make up class, if eligible.

The teacher will meet students at the front door and will walk students upstairs into the studio at class time. The teacher will lead the students to the same location at the end of class. Parking lot is a short walk from the studio, students under the age of 10 must be accompanied to and picked up at the front door of the studio. 

If your student is going to be late to class, please let us know by texting 425-224-5393 and walk your student upstairs to the dance studio. Being late should be avoided to not disrupt the class. 

Students must be picked up promptly after class. Students are not allowed to hang out on the property before/after their class time. Any student picked up more than 10 minutes late will be charged a late pick up fee of $10 for every 10 minute increment past the end of their class time. 

To try to eliminate any distraction in the classroom, we ask all parents to drop students off and observe class from the Google Meet provided for your students class from the comfort of your vehicle. 

If your child is nervous or uncomfortable being left in the classroom without a caretaker, caretakers may walk them up the stairs and remain inside the classroom until no longer needed by the student. If observing class in the classroom, phones are to remain off and no talking is allowed to keep distractions to a minimum.

We typically hold in studio observation weeks the last week of classes before winter and spring break. Parents and loved ones are invited into the studio to observe class. 

Absolutely no street shoes are allowed to be worn in the dance studio. All observers must remove shoes before entering the studio space.

At the end of the dance season we will be hosting a Spring Recital at Byrnes Performing Arts Center. Each performing class will learn a recital dance in class starting in February. 

If your student is not able to participate in the recital, a Spring Recital Opt-Out Form must be completed by February 1, 2025. All students are required to purchase a costume for the showcase through the studio. Each performing class will have one costume. Costume fees are due February 20, 2025. Any student who does not complete the opt-out form by January 31st will be charged a costume fee. Costume fees are as follows:

Ages 8 and under: $65/costume

Ages 9 and up: $75/costume

There is no additional fee to perform in the showcase, but observers are required to purchase tickets to observe the recital. This helps to cover the fees associated with putting on a showcase for our students. 

Please note, regular class attendance is mandatory to perform in the showcase as students need to keep up with choreography, formations, and technique. Students with excessive absences will not be eligible to perform. 

If your student is not participating in the recital, they are still able to participate in class and will learn the dance alongside the performing students in class.

All important information will be emailed to the contact email listed on your dancer’s registration form. It is your responsibility to stay up to date on all information from the studio. We do our best to share information in a timely manner that is thorough and clear. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at office@innovatepac.com for the most timely response. 

Don’t forget to like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @innovateperformingarts!

All students must be potty trained or able to go the full duration of class without bathroom assistance.