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EDUCATION PROGRAM 

POLICIES

These policies apply to all Ballet Arkansas Education programs, including the School for Dance, Summer Programs, Community Cast, and other educational offerings unless otherwise noted in program-specific materials. Program-specific enrollment guides may provide additional requirements or exceptions. In the event of conflict, the program-specific guide governs.

ENROLLMENT & REGISTRATION

Enrollment processes vary by program and are outlined in each program’s enrollment guide.

  • Enrollment is subject to class availability and/or program capacity.

  • Some programs operate on annual enrollment cycles, while others operate on monthly enrollment models or audition-based registration.

  • Enrollment is not guaranteed until confirmation is received through the designated registration system.

Program-specific registration fees may apply and are non-refundable unless otherwise stated.

TUITION & PAYMENTS

Tuition structures vary by program and are defined in program-specific enrollment materials.

General billing principles include:

  • Tuition and Fees are non-refundable, except in the event of program cancellation by Ballet Arkansas

  • Tuition is due according to the billing schedule outlined for each program

  • Accounts must remain current to maintain enrollment

  • Late or failed payments may result in suspension of participation

  • Balances must be paid to enroll in new programs

  • Payment methods, schedules, and installment options vary by program

PAYMENT METHODS & AUTO DRAFT

Payment methods vary by program and may include online payment systems or approved alternatives.

Where applicable:

  • Accounts may be set up for automatic billing or installment payments

  • Families are responsible for maintaining valid payment information

  • Payment deadlines must be met according to published schedules

  • Failure to maintain valid payment information may result in suspension of participation

  • Early or full-session payment options may be available

  • Requests for payment plans may be made in writing to education@balletarkansas.org

FEES

Late or failed payments may result in additional fees, including:

  • Late payment fees

  • Returned payment fees

  • Administrative or collection-related fees

Students remain responsible for all outstanding balances regardless of participation status or withdrawal.

WITHDRAWALS & CANCELLATIONS

Withdrawal policies vary by program and enrollment type.

  • Withdrawal requests must be submitted in writing to the designated program contact

  • Timing of withdrawal determines financial responsibility according to program billing structure

  • Some programs require notice prior to the next billing cycle or session start date

  • Program-specific enrollment guides define exact deadlines and financial terms

ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION

Attendance expectations vary by program and class type.
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, rehearsals, or program sessions.
Consistent participation is required for progression in placement-based programs.
Excessive absences may impact casting, placement, or continued enrollment.

Specific attendance rules, including make-up eligibility, are defined in program materials where applicable.

ABSENCE & EARLY DEPARTURE

Participants should notify Ballet Arkansas of any anticipated absence via the parent portal or by emailing education@balletarkansas.org.

Refunds are not provided for absences.

If an underage student needs to leave early:

  • Written parent/guardian consent is required

  • Students may not leave the building during program hours without staff sign-out approval

MAKE-UP CLASSES

Make-up eligibility varies by program.
Where permitted:

  • Must be scheduled in advance

  • Subject to availability

  • Must be completed within the applicable enrollment period

  • Not guaranteed in all programs

HEALTH, SAFETY & LIABILITY

Ballet Arkansas maintains a commitment to safe training environments across all programs.

Participation involves physical activity and inherent risk.
Students are responsible for following staff instructions.

Participants who are ill or exposed to communicable illness should notify Ballet Arkansas immediately.

INJURY & ILLNESS

  • Medical conditions affecting participation should be communicated promptly

  • Basic first aid may be provided onsite

  • Emergency contacts will be notified in the event of serious injury

  • Refunds are not provided for injury or illness-related absences

  • Ballet Arkansas is not responsible for injuries sustained during participation

FOOD ALLERGIES

Parents/guardians must notify Ballet Arkansas of all allergies prior to participation.

Students are expected to:

  • Keep necessary medication accessible

  • Avoid sharing food

  • Notify staff immediately in case of reaction

CODE OF CONDUCT

All participants are expected to maintain respectful behavior toward faculty, staff, peers, and facilities.

Ballet Arkansas reserves the right to:

  • Remove or suspend participants for unsafe or disruptive behavior

  • Deny continued participation when conduct is inappropriate

Prohibited behaviors include:

  • Harassment or bullying

  • Discriminatory or threatening language

  • Physical aggression

  • Theft or vandalism

  • Disruption of instruction or operations

COMMUNICATION

Official communication is conducted via:

  • Email

  • Program portals

  • Program announcements

Families are responsible for monitoring all communications.

FACILITY & ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES

Participants must follow all facility rules, including:

  • Studio access procedures

  • Arrival and pickup expectations

  • Property and space guidelines

CELL PHONES & ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Devices must be silenced and stored in dance bags during class or rehearsal. Devices may be checked between classes for emergency purposes only.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Ballet Arkansas is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items. Valuables should be left at home.

LOBBY & OBSERVATION

Parents and guardians may wait in designated lobby or common areas when applicable.

Studio and rehearsal spaces are closed to observation unless otherwise stated.
Access to studios is restricted during instruction and rehearsal.
Emergency exceptions may apply at staff discretion.

DRESS CODE

Footlights Dance Store, the official shoe sponsor of Ballet Arkansas, is available to assist you with all of your dance wear needs.

 

YOUTH DIVISION | COMMUNITY CAST | SUMMER PROGRAMS

Students are expected to arrive in appropriate ballet attire for their class level.

Female students:

  • Black leotard (School for Dance and Community Cast), Colored Leotard (Summer Programs), Blue Leotard (YAGP)

  • Full-length pink tights with pink ballet shoes

  • Dancers of color may wear full-length skin-tone tights and skin-tone ballet shoes

  • Tights must be worn inside ballet slippers; drawstrings must be tucked

  • Leotards must be free of attached skirts, except where program-specific exceptions apply (e.g., Creative Movement)

  • Hair must be secured in a bun or similar updo and kept out of the face and eyes

Male students:

  • White or black fitted t-shirt

  • Dance belt (as appropriate)

  • White or black ballet shoes

  • Black tights or dance shorts

  • Hair should be neat and secured away from the face

All students:

  • Warm-ups must be removed before class and stored in dance bags

  • All items must be clearly labeled

ADULT DIVISION

Form-fitting athletic wear or traditional ballet attire with ballet slippers (leather or canvas for proper traction on the specialized marley dance floor).

POINTE TRAINING

Pointe work is an advanced and specialized component of Ballet Arkansas training, offered to students as they demonstrate appropriate technical readiness and strength. Pre-pointe and pointe placement are determined by faculty based on established technical and developmental criteria, including strength, alignment, and overall readiness.

Pointe training is introduced progressively and may be adjusted over time to support each dancer’s continued growth and safety.

Ballet Arkansas reserves the right to:

  • approve or deny pointe participation

  • adjust placement or class assignment

  • remove a student from pointe work if safety or readiness concerns arise

All decisions are made in support of long-term dancer health, development, and injury prevention.

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC POLICIES

Programs may include additional requirements governing:

  • Parking and arrival logisticsand a

  • Enrollment timelines

  • Tuition structures

  • Attendance requirements

  • Performance eligibility

  • Scheduling expectations

Program-specific policies take precedence over general policies when applicable.

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS

Ballet Arkansas is closed for major holidays, including:

  • Labor Day

  • Thanksgiving

  • Christmas

  • New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

  • Spring Break

  • Memorial Day

Annual calendars are published in program materials and/or the parent portal.

POLICY UPDATES

Ballet Arkansas reserves the right to update or modify policies at any time.
The most current version will be posted on the official website or included in program materials.

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