Home / Registration / School Policies

FDSchool Policies

2024-2025 FDS Policy

Administrative and Academic Policies

SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS

Email is FDS’s primary communication source, keeping accounts informed and updated on regular school happenings. Please add info@fantasydance.us to your contacts list ASAP to ensure you receive essential school information sent via email after registration. FDS Facebook and Instagram sites also communicate important information to our dance families. Please take a moment to connect with FDS social media accounts, Fantasy Dance School, on Facebook and Instagram.

PLACEMENT POLICY

Class Levels: If your student has experience but you are unsure of his/her level, please call us to schedule a tryout class. If a teacher determines that a student is at an incorrect level at the start of the session, the student may be transferred to the appropriate class at that time.

Fantasy Dance Troupe (FDTroupe) and Elite Competition Teams: Class placement for FDTroupe and Elite Competition Teams is determined by style and level and is based solely on auditions.

CLASS SIZE POLICY

Dance Classes:

Ages 3-5: The average class size is 8 students.

Ages 6 and up: The average class size is 10 students.

Gymnastics Classes:

All ages have an average class size of 8 students.

Art Classes:

All ages have an average class size of 6-8 students.

Minimum Enrollment Requirement:

We must have a minimum of 8 registered students to hold a class. If this minimum is not met, the class may be rescheduled or canceled.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Our classes run from August to December for the Fall session and January to June for the Spring session. To best support your child's training, CONSISTENT ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED.

Planned Absences:

If your child has a planned absence, written notice must be emailed to info@fantasydance.us prior to the event.

Late Arrivals:

For their safety, your child will not be able to participate in class if they arrive more than 15 minutes late.

Late students must observe the class and take notes.

This policy will be strictly enforced.

Extended Absences:

For absences longer than two weeks due to illness or injury, a doctor's note is required. Students should communicate their return plans with the instructor to ensure a smooth transition back into classes.

Participation Requirement:

Consistent attendance and active participation are crucial for your child's progress and the class's overall success. Repeated unexcused absences or tardiness may result in a reassessment of your child's placement in the program.

MAKE-UP POLICY

There are NO MAKE-UP classes for missed classes. No refunds will be issued for missed classes for any reason. It is imperative to your child's success that this program is viewed as a serious commitment.

STUDENT VACATION

Tuition will not be prorated and must be paid in full if a student is sick and misses sessions, regardless of whether a doctor’s note is provided. If a student will be going on vacation for more than three weeks, a written notice must be provided to Fantasy Dance School 30 days in advance, along with a $200 deposit. The deposit will be applied to future tuition upon returning to the program. If a student is going on vacation for less than three weeks or written notice is given less than 30 days before vacation, the full month’s tuition will be required. Full monthly tuition will be required for months that may include holidays or breaks. There are no makeup sessions if a student misses a session, regardless of the reason for absence.

SCHOOL WITHDRAWAL

To withdraw a student from a class or enrollment altogether, an email request "Drop Notice" must be sent to info@fantasydance.us by the 25th of the month for tuition not to be charged the following month. Tuition refunds will not be given after tuition is paid. Families may withdraw from classes or the school anytime during the dance year but should be mindful of non-refundable tuition and fees.

RESCHEDULING, MODIFYING, AND CANCELING CLASSES

FDS reserves the right to reschedule, modify, or cancel classes and/or replace the teacher as the school may deem necessary. Classes are subject to change or be canceled based on studio enrollment and teacher requirements. Enrolled participants of changed or canceled classes will be provided with alternative class options. FDS also reserves the right to deliver classes through an online platform if they cannot be conducted live for any reason, including but not limited to teacher absence or COVID–19 government advisory.

Privacy and Health Policies

PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

Each account must list one parent or legal guardian over 18 as the financially responsible party and primary contact for all student communication. The School will not release payment history, attendance records, or other student information to a third party without permission from the responsible party.

MEDIA RELEASE

I authorize FDS to photograph/video the individual child(ren) registered under my account for use in FDS advertising or marketing in print or through FDS social media platforms.

I authorize FDS to use the cell phone number to text important school information, such as class cancellations, with the understanding that it will never be used for FDS advertising or sales.

REHEARSAL POLICY FOR ALL PERFORMING CLASSES

Attendance Responsibility:

You must be aware of all rehearsals your dancer needs to attend. Fantasy Dance School (FDS) sends out multiple emails regarding rehearsal schedules. Please ensure that you are up-to-date with all communications.

Mandatory Presence:

Your student is expected to attend all rehearsals for which their classes are called. Consistent attendance is crucial for the success of the performance and the group as a whole.

Consequences of Absence:

If your dancer misses 2 or more rehearsals, they risk being removed from the performance. This decision will be made at the discretion of the Artistic Director.

Notification of Absence:

If you know your dancer will be absent for one or more rehearsals, please coordinate with the office as soon as possible. Advanced notice helps in planning and making necessary adjustments.

Communication:

Maintain regular communication with the office and ensure all contact information is current so that all updates and scheduling information are received promptly.

Adhering to these guidelines will ensure a smooth and successful rehearsal process for everyone involved. Thank you for your cooperation and dedication to FDS.

MEDICAL RELEASE

I hereby give permission for my child(ren) to receive medical attention under the direction of a physician, emergency personnel, or at any emergency facility in the event that an accident, sickness, or injury may occur at Fantasy Dance School until the time I am contacted. Furthermore, as the account holder, I agree to carry my own medical/accident insurance and fully accept responsibility for payment for any or all medical services provided.

Financial Policies

FEES DUE UPON REGISTRATION

Registration Fee: $75 per student or $125 per family

This fee covers the administrative costs of the enrollment process and insurance and can also be used as a "Waiting List Fee." The registration fee is a NON-REFUNDABLE PAYMENT. All registration is online, and a current credit card must be on file. FDS must receive a completed online registration, and registration fee before your child's enrollment in any of our programs.

TUITION

Tuition is due by the 1st of each month and considered past due after the 3rd. FDS runs on a calendar month, meaning the tuition remains the same whether there are 3, 4, or 5 classes per month. Tuition is divided into 11 payments for your convenience, regardless of the number of weeks in a month, missed lessons, school closings, or school vacations. We don't prorate tuitions due to holidays because of teacher compensation.

If your family takes time off, a student's spot in class cannot be held without paid tuition. By stopping tuition, students can lose their spot in class, which then becomes available for students on the waiting list. If the class fills up and enrollment is closed, it will not be possible for the student to return with their spot unless tuition is paid during that time off.

ADDITIONAL YEARLY FEES FOR ALL DANCE CLASSES

PERFORMANCE FEE:

$150 per family is due with October 2024 Tuition and is NON-REFUNDABLE. All students enrolled in dance classes are automatically opted into our Annual Concert and will be charged our Annual Performance Fee unless our office is notified before the fee is charged. The fee includes all pictures, a digital video of the FDS’s end-of-the-year performance, extra rehearsal times outside of class times held at Fantasy Dance School, and all stage and dress rehearsals held at the theater.

COSTUME FEE:

The costume Fee is due January 10, 2025.

New costumes cost between $75 - $100 per costume

Used costumes cost between $35 - $75 per costume

All handmade costumes (folk dance costumes) are returnable and have a usage fee of $45 per costume.

CREDIT CARD ON ACCOUNT

All accounts must maintain an active credit card on file. Cards on file will be charged by parents' requests on the first of each month for account balances owed. Cards on file will not be charged if the account balance is paid by cash or check before the first day of the month. Visa, Mastercard, and Discover credit card payments will be subject to a 2.89% additional surcharge fee. Begining August 1st 2024, we will no longer accept American Express. Families can also pay by cash or check made out to Fantasy Dance School by or on the 1st of each month for tuition.

PAYMENT BEHAVIOR

All Registration Fees at the start of enrollment must be paid via Visa, Mastercard, or Discover credit card (with a 2.89% surcharge) on online accounts before a student can begin classes and programs. When families pay online, we offer autopay and one-time payment options.

Families cannot remove themselves from autopay. Please contact the office to remove the autopay plan. Families can pay any amount of the account balance online, with cash/check at the office, or by credit card on file. FDS now accepts payments through Zelle at info@fantasydance.us, Fantasy Dance School LLC. If you wish to pay a balance in advance, you may log on to your online account anytime.

DISCOUNT

Families with more than 6 classes per student per week are eligible for a 10% discount for additional siblings. The discount will be manually added to the second student’s tuition. To qualify, the new student must have an equal or fewer number of classes per week than the first student. For questions or to apply the discount, please contact the administrative office.

LATE PICK-UP FEES

If a student is not picked up within 15 minutes of their last class, a $15 late pick-up fee will be assessed, followed by an additional $5 for every 5 minutes after.

NON-SUFFICIENT FUNDS FEE (NSF)

If there are insufficient funds through the credit card on file or if we receive notice that a check bounces, families must make another form of payment immediately. Students may not be able to participate in activities until another form of payment is provided and balances are paid. Families will also be charged an additional $35 (NSF) fee on top of our late payment fees.

REFUNDS

There are no refunds for registration fees, tuition, costume fees, or performance fees FOR ANY REASON. All payments are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-TRANSFERABLE. There are no tuition reductions for students who go out of town or become ill.

CLASS SIZE POLICY

Dance Classes:

Ages 3-5: The average class size is 8 students.
Ages 6 and up: The average class size is 10 students.

Gymnastics Classes:

All ages have an average class size of 8 students.

Art Classes:

All ages have an average class size of 6-8 students.

Minimum Enrollment Requirement:

We must have a minimum of 8 registered students to hold a class. If this minimum is not met, the class may be rescheduled or canceled.

PLACEMENT POLICY

Class Levels: If your student has experience but you are unsure of his/her level, please call us to schedule a tryout class. If a teacher determines that a student is at an incorrect level at the start of the session, the student may be transferred to the appropriate class at that time.

Fantasy Dance Troupe (FDTroupe) and Elite Competition Teams: Class placement for FDTroupe and Elite Competition Teams is determined by style and level and is based solely on auditions.

PRIVATE CONFERENCE

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us at any time at (650) 965-4135 or info@fantasydance.us.

We understand the importance of staying informed about your child's progress and development. If any parent or student wishes to schedule a private conference to discuss the student's progress in more detail, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

We are committed to working closely with you to ensure that your school year is filled with both enjoyment and growth. Your satisfaction and your child's success are our top priorities.

REMEMBER, OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN...

Dear students and parents,

We want to remind you that our door is always open. We are genuinely delighted to receive your feedback and are here to answer your personal questions. Your presence and participation are the heart of our community, and we are here because of you.

Your satisfaction and success are our top priorities. We are dedicated to supporting you every step of the way, ensuring that your experience with us is positive and fulfilling. Please feel free to reach out to us at any time.

Thank you for being an essential part of our family.