Studio Policies

REGISTRATION / TUITION

A $35 registration fee ($20 Spring & Summer), due at time of registration, will be charged per student. This fee holds your place in the class and is non-refundable. A maximum of $75 ($50 Spring & Summer) will be charged per family. Upon registration parent/student agrees that photos or video may be taken while participating in performances or classes which may be used for promotional purposes.

Tuition is due at the time of registration or at the first class of each month for those on a monthly payment plan. A 10% discount is offered for full school year students if tuition is paid in full by the first week of classes. Monthly students are encouraged to keep a credit/debit card on file to be billed automatically the first week of each month Students who do not wish to keep a card on file are responsible for making payments on time each month. Late payments are subject to a $5 late fee per week. All returned checks will be subject to a $25 fee. Please make all checks payable to "Perfect Pointe Dance Studio."

Summer camp tuition is non-refundable but is transferable to another open camp or future class with a minimum two week notice.

All refunds require a two week notice and will be issued in the form of a studio account credit for the full amount of any remaining classes or in the form of the original payment for the full amount of any remaining classes minus a $25 administrative fee.

PARENT / GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITIES

As per Arlington County requirements, all students 10 years old and younger must be escorted to and from the studio by a parent or responsible adult, i.e. they may not be dropped off or picked up in the parking lot.

Students and parents are encouraged to park in the free garage under the Harris Teeter when the parking lot is full. There is a sidewalk behind the building leading from the garage to the back door of the lower level. Perfect Pointe is down the hall to the right from this entrance.

Parents of Pre-school Combo students must either remain on premises during class or ask another adult who is staying to be responsible for taking their child to the restroom when needed. Dance Combo parents who do not wish their child to be allowed to go to the restroom unsupervised should follow the same guidelines.

Please note that there is a changing room provided in the studio. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping the restrooms available for all to use by not using them for changing purposes.

COMMUNICATION POLICY

Important class information and announcements will be posted on our whiteboard and website each week. It is each student or parent’s responsibility to check the whiteboard each week to make sure you stay up to date. If you miss a class or for whatever reason do not come with your student to class, it is your responsibility to check the weekly announcements section of our website, or call the studio and ask for the weekly announcement information.

DRESS CODE - CLASSES

Mommy & Me Adults: Comfortable clothes that you can move in. Nothing too baggy or restrictive. Bare feet or ballet slippers. Hair pulled back.

Mommy & Me Toddlers: Pink ballet slippers, black patent leather tap shoes and hair pulled back required for girls. Black ballet shoes and black lace up tap shoes required for boys. Dance leotard and tights, with or without skirt, recommended but not required for girls.

Pre-school: Black dance leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, black patent leather tap shoes (please replace ribbons with elastics to facilitate shoe changes or purchase elastic or buckle shoes), black or pink skirt optional (no tutus please), hair pulled back. Boys refer to Dance Combo boys.

Dance Combo (Age 5 & 6 and Age 6 & 7) Girls: Black dance leotard, pink tights, black ballet slippers, black leather (not patent) Mary Jane or U-shell style tap shoes, black or pink skirt optional, hair pulled back.

Dance Combo (Age 5 & 6 and Age 6 & 7) Boys: Black sweat pants, stretch pants, or shorts, white t-shirt, black ballet slippers, black leather lace up tap shoes.

Dance Combo Age 7.5+: Any color dance leotard or tight fitting t-shirt or tank top, black tights or tight fitting black jazz pants or shorts, hair pulled back, Black Leather (not patent) Mary Jane or U-shell style tap shoes and black split-sole jazz shoes

Ballet & Modern Girls: Black dance leotard, pink tights (footless or convertible for modern), pink split-sole ballet slippers (ballet only), any color ballet skirt optional, hair in a bun or twist (no loose ponytails).

Ballet & Modern Boys: Black tight fitting jazz pants or tights and dance belt, tight fitting black or white t-shirt or tank top, black split-sole ballet slippers (ballet only).

Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop & Musical Theater: Any color dance leotard or tight fitting t-shirt or tank top, black tights or tight fitting black jazz pants or shorts, hair pulled back, appropriate shoes as follows:

• Tap I/II girls: Black Leather (not patent) Mary Jane or U-shell style tap shoes
• Tap III/IV & all Tap boys: Black Tap Oxfords or Jazz Taps
• All Jazz & Musical Theater classes: black split-sole jazz shoes
• Hip Hop: Black Hip Hop dance sneakers

Adult Classes: Dance leotard* and tights or jazz pants of any color, skirt or shorts optional, hair pulled back, appropriate shoes as specified by teacher. *While dance leotards are preferred, Perfect Pointe strives to make all adult students feel as comfortable as possible in class. Tank tops and/or t-shirts will be allowed in lieu of leotards at the students' discretion so long as movement and technique are not inhibited.

Note: Students who are not properly attired may be asked to sit out of class. No loose jewelry or gum chewing will be permitted in any class.

DRESS CODE - CAMPS

Ballerina Princess Camp: Comfy stretchy clothes that campers can move in, ballet slippers, any color. *Leotards and tights are recommended.

Hip Hop Jamz Camp: Comfy stretchy clothes that dancers can move in, dance sneakers or street sneakers (clean), any color.

Creative Movement/Broadway Babies/Jazzy Diva Camps: Comfy stretchy clothes that campers can move in, ballet slippers or other soft sole dance shoe, any color. *Leotards and tights are recommended.

Dance Combo/Totally Tap & Jazz/Best of Broadway Camps: Comfy stretchy clothes that campers can move in, ballet slippers or other soft sole dance shoe, any color, tap shoes any style. *Leotards and tights are recommended.

Cinderella Ballet Camp: Girls: any color dance leotard and tights, pink ballet slippers, ballet skirt optional, hair neatly pulled back. Boys: Any color jazz pants, athletic shorts or tights and dance belt, tight fitting t-shirt or tank top, black ballet slippers.

MAKE-UP CLASSES

If you miss a class due to illness or family emergency you may call the studio to set up a time to make-up in another class or review missed material with your instructor. Please notify the studio as soon as possible if you are going to miss a class. This opens up make-up spaces for other students and ensures the availability of a make-up class for you. Please note that attendance is important to the learning process and you are expected to be in your assigned class each week unless an unavoidable problem arises. Excessive absenteeism may result in your inability to participate in upcoming performances and will inhibit your advancement to the next class level.

In the event of inclement weather, Perfect Pointe class cancellations follow Arlington County School District closings. We will also post cancellations on our website and voicemail for your convenience. You may schedule make-ups for these missed classes - refunds will not be given.

CLASS PLACEMENT AND ADVANCEMENT

Placement in the appropriate class is important to each student’s skill development and personal growth. For students younger than seven, placement is based on the student’s age as of the first day of class. For students age seven and older, skill level and experience are also considered. Premature advancement to the next level can have a profound and negative impact both on a student’s self-confidence, and on skill acquisition and development of proper technique. The instructor’s placement decisions are final and are always meant to be in the best interest of the student.

POINTE

Pointe can be a beautiful and exciting extension of a student's ballet training. However, going en pointe is a serious commitment and not something to be undertaken lightly. It is Perfect Pointe's policy that no student will be allowed to start pointe work before they are both physically and technically prepared. Readiness will be determined by the instructor and all decisions made by the instructor in this matter are final. General guidelines for pointe readiness are as follows:

• No student will be allowed to go en pointe until they are at least 11 years old. The average age is 12 - 14.
• No student will be allowed to go en pointe until they have at least 3 years of prior dance experience.
• No student will be allowed to go en pointe before they have developed sufficient strength in their feet, legs, and center to maintain proper alignment and balance in flat shoes.
• All decisions made by the instructor are final and are meant to be in the best interest of the student.

PRIVATE LESSONS

Private lessons are available in any dance style subject to teacher and space availability; call the studio to inquire. In order to perform a solo or duet in the recital, the student must be enrolled in a technique class corresponding to the solo/duet style as well as a ballet class and be at least 10 years old.

RECITAL

Each school year culminates with the annual recital, in which every school year session student may perform. Summer session students do not perform in a recital but have a smaller, in-class demonstration instead. The annual recital gives students the opportunity to showcase what they have learned throughout the year and is meant to be a fun and exciting way to cap off the season.

Costumes for the recital will be chosen by the teacher and announced to students and parents by the end of November. Costumes range in price from $50-$75 and must be paid for in full when ordering - no later than the first week of December. Costume orders are non-refundable. Students must have a costume in order to perform. Each student will receive 2 free tickets to the recital. Additional tickets may be purchased for $7 each. Tickets will go on sale approximately the first week of May. If you are interested in additional performance opportunities, please inquire about our competition companies.