Policies and Procedures

Before registering, please read all policies and procedures

• Tuition Payments

• Tuition Payment Plans

• Discounts

• Withdrawal/Refund Policy

• Class Schedule Change Policy

• General Studio Protocol

• Attendance Policies

• Watch Week

• Holidays, Closings and Inclement Weather

• Year-end Presentations and Performances

• Liability/Waiver Realease

• Photograph/Likeness/Videotape Release

• Student Inclusion Policy

• Tuition may be paid out in ten interest-free installments for those registering by August 22, 2011.
• Installments will be prorated accordingly for students registering after August 22, 2011.
• Enrollment is open through February 4, 2012 as long as space is available in a class.
  • First PAYMENT
    • Regardless of when a student is registered, a first installment, determined by the level in which a student enrolls, is due at the time of registration to secure a place in class. The first installment is a non-refundable deposit that applies towards the full tuition amount.
      
  • REMAINING PAYMENTS
    • Remaining tuition installments are due on the 1st of each month through May 1, 2012. Tuition is due in full no later than May 1, 2012.
      
  • LATE PAYMENTS
    • Invoices will not be mailed. Tuition is late on the 5th. A $15.00 late fee will be charged to your account on the 5th of each month.
      
  • FEES
    • Late Fee - $15.00
    • Returned Check Fee - $15.00
    • Returned ACH Direct Payment Fee - $10.00
    • Automatic Credit/Debit Declines Fee - $5.00
    • Withdrawal Fee - $30.00

• PAY ONLINE
  • After you are registered you will receive instructions on how to log onto Ballet Austin Online where you will create a login that will allow you to manage your Academy account from home.
• PAY BY MAIL
  • Mail check payments to:
    • Ballet Austin, 501 W. 3rd Street, Austin TX 78701.
• PAY IN PERSON
• Deliver cash or check payment to:
  • Ballet Austin, 501 W. 3rd Street, Austin TX 78701
    • Schools Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
    • In addition, there is a Schools Receptionist at the Patron Services Desk in the front lobby Monday through Thursday, 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm, and on Saturdays, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
• PAY BY PHONE
• Make credit card payment by:
  • Calling during regular business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
  • 512.476.9051, ext. 138 or 102.

Automatic Payment Plans

• ACH DIRECT PAYMENT – BANK DRAFT
  • To set up ACH Direct Payment, SIGN AND RETURN the following to the Schools Office:
    • AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT FOR AUTOMATIC PAYMENT.
    • VOIDED CHECK.
  • Bank account will be debited on the 1st of each month (or 1st Business Day) an installment is due.
  • ACH Direct Payments will begin with the Second Tuition Installment.
• AUTOMATIC CREDIT/DEBIT CARD PAYMENT:
  • To set up Automatic Credit/Debit Card payment, SIGN AND RETURN the following to the Schools Office:
    • AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT FOR AUTOMATIC PAYMENT.
  • Credit/Debit Card will be charged on the 1st of each month (or 1st Business Day) an installment is due.
  • Auto Credit/Debit Card Payments will begin with the Second Installment.

• Eligibility: Annual tuition is paid in full by August 22, 2011.
• May ONLY be applied in conjunction with one of the below listed discounts.

Sibling Discount (Discount amount – 10%):

• Eligibility: Two or more siblings are enrolled and paying for the 2011/12 school year.
• If a sibling withdraws early, discount will be forfeited for the remaining enrolled student.
• May ONLY be applied in conjunction with the Payment in Full - Early Discount.

Kids Corp Discount (Discount amount – 10%)

• Eligibility:
  • One or more adults and one or more Academy students must be Season Ticket Holders.
  • Only students registered in Creative Movement Level 1 through Lower School Level 3 are eligible.
  • Season tickets must be purchased on or before October 8, 2011.
  • Schools Office must be notified of purchase by the parent or guardian purchasing the season ticket on or before October 8, 2011.
• May ONLY be applied in conjunction with the Payment in Full - Early Discount.
• Ballet Austin Box Office 512.476.2163 or sandra.krempasky@balletaustin.org.

• Mail, email or hand deliver notification to:
  • Eric Caruthers, Schools Registrar at:
    • Ballet Austin Academy
      c/o Registrar Eric Caruthers
      501 W. 3rd St., Austin, TX 78701
      eric.caruthers@balletaustin.org
• Once written notice of withdrawal is received:
  • Student will be withdrawn from class.
  • Withdrawal will be processed.
  • Account will be assessed a $30.00 withdrawal fee.
  • Tuition will be prorated according to the date withdrawal is received plus two weeks.
    • If withdrawal occurs before the start of the school year, Billing Contact will be responsible for the non-refundable deposit paid at registration.
  • There will be no withdrawal prorates after March 31, 2012.
  • The Payment in Full - Early Discount (if applicable) will be relinquished if the student withdraws before the completion of the school year.

• Mail, email or hand deliver requests to:
  • Eric Caruthers, Schools Registrar at:
    • Ballet Austin Academy
      c/o Registrar Eric Caruthers
      501 W. 3rd St., Austin, TX 78701
      eric.caruthers@balletaustin.org
• Students may only request a class change within the same level.
• Class schedule changes are approved by the Schools Office and will be based on availability.

General Studio Protocol

• Students are expected to behave respectfully and courteously at all times.
• Photography/Videography by patrons in the Butler Dance Education Center is prohibited.
• Students must wear street shoes and cover up clothing before leaving the building.
• Creative Movement, Pre-Ballet, and Lower School students should not enter a classroom until the teacher is present.
• Upper School Students may stretch in the studio before their class begins if there is not another class in the studio.
• Parents are asked to remain outside the studio.
• Chewing gum, food and drinks (except water in closed containers) are not allowed in the studio or dressing rooms.
• Toe tape, Band-Aids, containers, wrappers, etc. must be disposed of in trash cans.
• Students are not permitted to sit at or play the pianos.
• Ballet Austin is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. Labeling personal items with the student’s name is recommended.
• There is a lost and found bin located in the study area next to the upstairs lounge for missing items. At the end of the month, items that have not been retrieved will be discarded or donated to charity.

• Attendance will be taken in each Academy class.
• Students must arrive prepared, properly dressed, and on time for all scheduled classes.

Late Arrival

• Students enrolled in the Lower and Upper School may be asked to sit and watch class if arriving more than 10 minutes late.

Absence

• Chronic absences and/or tardiness will be addressed by the Academy Principal, Lynne Short. She can be reached at 512.476.9051, ext. 158 or via email at lynne.short@balletaustin.org.
• If a student misses a class for any reason, his/her parent or guardian must call or email the Schools Office to report the absence.
  • Call: Registrar, Eric Caruthers at 512.476.9051 ext. 138.
  • Email: eric.caruthers@balletaustin.org.

Make-up

• All Students may make up missed classes or take extra classes by attending another class at or below their current level of study.
• Upper School students are required to make up missed classes whenever possible. Chronic absences and/or tardiness will be addressed by the Academy Principal and may result in restricted participation in classes (i.e.-pointe and partnering) and/or performances.

Illness or Injury

• Students who are ill (infectious) should not come to class.
• Extended illness requires a note when returning to class.
• Injured dancers are encouraged to come observe class so they are familiar with the curriculum and combinations being taught when they return to class.

• One Watch Week is scheduled each fall and spring. Watch Weeks allow you the opportunity to experience the hard work and dedication that your child demonstrates in his or her studies at Ballet Austin Academy.
  • Dates are listed on the Academy Calendar.
• A FEW REMINDERS:
  • Please keep noise and/or distraction to a minimum.
• This includes:
• Managing the behavior of  siblings during class
• Keeping cell phones on silent mode during class
• Arriving on time for class
• Staying in the studio for the duration of class
• Photography and/or videography are not allowed during watch week classes.
• Creative Movement through Level 4B classes will end a few minutes early to provide time for parents to photograph and/or videotape their child in the studio.

• Since Ballet Austin Academy students come from many different school districts, the Academy does not follow the holiday/closing calendar of any particular school district.
• Holidays and closings are listed on the Academy Calendar.
• There may be unforeseen circumstances that require Ballet Austin Academy to cancel or change a class. Students will be given advance notice whenever possible. Refunds are not given for classes not held, but the Class Make-up Policy will apply.

Inclement Weather

• Ballet Austin does not follow the school closing decision of any particular school district.
• Decisions to cancel classes due to inclement weather will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Directors of Ballet Austin.
• Weather can vary greatly from one area to another. If classes are not canceled, but threatening weather conditions in your area make it unsafe for you to drive to Ballet Austin, please use your discretion and stay home.  You may make up any missed class during the remainder of the school year.
• Whenever possible, announcements regarding delays or closings due to inclement weather will be posted on the Academy website. However, we cannot guarantee that the website will reflect the latest information. 
• Weather updates will be available by calling 512.476.9051 ext. 126 (AFTER HOURS - or press 2 for Schools after calling the main line).
• If classes are not held due to inclement weather students may make up any of those classes during the remainder of the school year at any time that is convenient in the same level or a level lower.

• Year-End Presentations and Performances allow another opportunity for parents to view their child’s progress.
  • Dates are listed on the Academy Calendar.
• A FEW REMINDERS:
  • Photography/Videography (no flash please) will be allowed during in-studio Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet Level 1 Presentations.
  • Photography/Videography (no flash please) will be allowed during Pre-Ballet Levels 2 and 3 through Lower School Year-end Presentations held in the AustinVentures StudioTheater.
  • Upper School Performances will be recorded and DVD’s will be made available for sale. No photography/videography will be allowed.

The enrolled participant authorizes any representative of Ballet Austin to have the participant treated in any medical emergency during their participation in activities of the Ballet Austin Academy. Further, the participant and/or parent/guardian agrees to pay all costs associated with medical care and transportation for the participant.

Any special medical/health problems of which the staff should be aware will be submitted to the Schools Office before participation begins.

Photograph/Likeness/Videotape Release
As the enrolled participant and/or the parent/guardian of the enrolled participant, I authorize Ballet Austin, Inc. and/or its representative, agent, or employee to photograph and/or videotape and use any photograph/likeness of me or my minor child for any purpose, including publicity, choreographic archives, promotional materials and/or any other reason deemed appropriate by the School’s Directors.

Ballet Austin Student Inclusion Policy
The Schools of Ballet Austin do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin.

Uniform Requirements