Class Commitment & School Year

The Minnesota Ballet School academic year is divided into two sessions:

• Session 1: September 8 – January 23
• Session 2: January 25 – May 15

Our programs have different enrollment options. Some programs are designed as full-year programs, while others may be enrolled in by individual session.

Students enrolled in a full-year program are expected to remain enrolled for the full academic year unless a withdrawal is completed according to our Withdrawal Policy. Tuition may be paid in full or according to an approved payment schedule; however, choosing a payment plan does not change the full-year enrollment commitment.

The Spring Gala is an integral part of the annual curriculum. Students enrolled for the full academic year in programs participating in the Spring Gala are required to participate. The Spring Gala participation fee is due and must be paid at the time of registration.

Some programs, including Mommy & Me, Conditioning, Ballet Spin & Jump, and other designated session-based classes, may be enrolled in by individual session and do not participate in the Spring Gala.

Contemporary Ballet may be enrolled in by individual session or for the full academic year. Students enrolled in Contemporary Ballet for the full academic year participate in the Spring Gala when the program is included in the production.

Families should review the enrollment type and participation requirements listed for each program before registering.

Tuition & Fees

By registering for a class or program, families agree to the tuition, fees, enrollment terms, and payment policies applicable to that program.

Full-Year Enrollment

Students enrolled in a full-year program are committing to the full academic year. Tuition may be paid in full or through an available payment plan; however, choosing a payment plan does not change the full-year enrollment commitment.

Session-Based Programs

Certain programs are offered on a session-by-session basis. Students enrolled in these programs are responsible for tuition for the session in which they are registered.

Please review the specific program description and registration information to determine whether a program is full-year or session-based.

Tuition Due Dates

Tuition is due according to the payment schedule provided at registration.

Families are responsible for ensuring that payments are made on time and that their account remains current.

Payment Processing

All tuition and applicable fees are processed through our online GoMotion registration and payment platform.

Families must create and maintain an account in GoMotion when registering for classes or programs. The account is used to manage enrollment, view payment information, and make tuition and fee payments.

Parents/guardians are responsible for keeping their account information and payment method current and ensuring that scheduled payments are completed on time.

Required Fees

Registration, performance, audition, workshop, and other applicable program fees are separate from regular tuition unless specifically stated otherwise.

For programs participating in the Spring Gala, the Spring Gala participation fee is required and must be paid at the time of registration.

Discounts

Current tuition discounts and eligibility requirements are listed on the Tuition & Registration page and during the registration process.

Our current discounts include:

• Family Discount: 10% for two children enrolled; 15% for three or more children enrolled.
• Multi-Class Discount: 10% off additional weekly classes after the first registered class.
• Early Bird Discount: 10% off full-year tuition when paid in full by the published early-bird deadline.

Discounts cannot be combined unless otherwise stated.

Late Payments

A late fee may be applied to payments received after the applicable payment due date.

A fee may also be applied to unsuccessful payments.

Accounts that are not current may result in the student being unable to participate in classes, rehearsals, performances, or other school activities until the account is brought current.

No Refund / No Transfer Policy

Minnesota Ballet School follows a No Refund / No Transfer Policy.

• Tuition and fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
• There are no refunds or credits for partially attended sessions or missed classes.
• Registration, participation, audition, workshop, and other program fees are non-refundable unless otherwise stated.
• If Minnesota Ballet School cancels a class or program and does not provide an appropriate alternative, a refund may be issued for the cancelled class or program.

Before registering, families should carefully review the schedule, program commitment, tuition, fees, and participation requirements to ensure that the program is appropriate for their schedule and needs.

Withdrawal

If circumstances require a student to withdraw from a class or program, the parent/guardian must complete the school's Withdrawal Form.

Withdrawal from a full-year program does not automatically cancel the family's financial commitment for the academic year. Any withdrawal will be handled according to the applicable enrollment agreement and school policy.

Families are encouraged to contact the Directors before submitting a withdrawal if they have questions about their enrollment or financial obligations.

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential to a dancer's progress and advancement.

• Please notify the school or teacher in advance whenever a student will be absent or late.
• Students are expected to attend classes consistently and arrive prepared and on time.
• Frequent absences may affect a student's progress, placement, participation in performances, or advancement to the next level.
• Students participating in productions or competitions must meet the attendance and rehearsal requirements established for those programs.

Make-Up Classes

Make-up classes are available for classes cancelled by Minnesota Ballet School, when an appropriate make-up class is available within the same session.

For student absences, make-up opportunities may be available according to the school's current make-up policy and class availability.

Where applicable:

• Students attending one class per week may receive one make-up opportunity.
• Students attending two classes per week may receive two make-up opportunities.
• Students attending three classes per week may receive three make-up opportunities.
• Students attending four classes per week may receive four make-up opportunities.

Make-up classes must be arranged in advance and are subject to availability. Make-up classes do not create tuition credits or refunds.

Tardiness

Students should arrive on time and prepared for class.

Late admittance is at the teacher's discretion. Students arriving 15 minutes or more after the scheduled class start time will not be permitted to participate in the class and must observe only, particularly when participating without an adequate warm-up may create a safety concern or disrupt the class.

Please see our Studio Etiquette & Class Guidelines for age-specific arrival recommendations.

Withdrawal

If circumstances require a student to withdraw from a class or rehearsal, the parent/guardian must complete the school's Withdrawal Form.

Withdrawal does not automatically cancel financial obligations associated with an enrollment commitment. Any applicable withdrawal terms will be determined according to the current enrollment agreement and school policy.

Please contact the school office or Directors before withdrawing if you have questions about your enrollment or account.

Performances & Competition Team

Performance opportunities are an important part of the Minnesota Ballet School experience. Participation requirements vary by program and production.

Students participating in performances, including Minnesota Ballet Theatre productions and the Spring Gala, are expected to meet all applicable enrollment, attendance, rehearsal, performance, and family volunteer requirements.

Performances

• Students are expected to attend all scheduled rehearsals, costume fittings, technical rehearsals, and performances for which they are scheduled.
• Students and families are responsible for following all costume, rehearsal, backstage, and performance instructions.
• Parents/guardians of participating students are expected to fulfill the family volunteer responsibilities assigned for each production or performance.
• Volunteer responsibilities may include backstage assistance, dancer check-in and supervision, costume assistance, front-of-house support, set or prop assistance, or other production-related tasks.
• Volunteer assignments and requirements will be communicated separately for each production or performance.
• If a parent/guardian is unable to fulfill an assigned volunteer responsibility, a volunteer buyout option may be available. The applicable buyout fee will be communicated for each production and is intended to cover the cost of arranging alternative support.
• Performance participation fees are separate from regular tuition unless otherwise stated.
• Performance fees are due according to the payment schedule provided for each production.
• Performance fees are non-refundable once production rehearsals have begun if a student voluntarily withdraws from the production.
• Failure to meet attendance, rehearsal, performance, or other participation requirements may affect a student's ability to participate in the performance.
• Casting and participation decisions are made by the Directors and artistic staff.

Spring Gala

The Spring Gala is an integral part of the annual curriculum for programs participating in the production.

Students enrolled for the full academic year in participating programs are required to participate in the Spring Gala.

The Spring Gala participation fee is required and must be paid at the time of registration.

Parents/guardians of participating students are expected to fulfill the family volunteer responsibilities associated with the Spring Gala. A volunteer buyout option may be available when a parent/guardian is unable to fulfill an assigned responsibility.

Students enrolled in designated session-based programs that do not participate in the Spring Gala are not required to participate.

Competition Team

The Minnesota Ballet School Competition Team is a supplemental program designed to provide additional training and performance opportunities for students interested in competitive ballet.

Competition Team participation is in addition to, and does not replace, the student's regular ballet training at Minnesota Ballet School.

Students participating in the Competition Team are expected to remain enrolled in their required regular ballet classes and maintain consistent attendance and commitment to their regular training.

Competition Team participation is subject to Director approval and may require an audition or evaluation.

• Competition Team training and rehearsals are additional to regular ballet classes.
• Competition Team members are expected to maintain strong attendance in both their regular ballet classes and Competition Team activities.
• Competition-related expenses, including competition entry fees, choreography, costumes, private training, travel, and other associated costs, may be additional.
• Competition schedules, training requirements, and participation expectations are communicated separately to Competition Team families.
• Participation in the Competition Team does not guarantee placement, awards, scholarships, or other competition results.
• The Directors reserve the right to determine competition participation, casting, choreography, and competition selection based on the dancer's readiness, commitment, attendance, and overall training.

Class Observation

Parents and guardians may observe classes through the school's designated observation windows and monitor screens in the waiting area.

For the safety, focus, and independence of our dancers, parents and visitors are not permitted inside the studio during class unless specifically invited by a teacher or staff member.

Parents, Siblings & Visitors

Parents and guardians are welcome to remain in the building during their child's class and use the designated waiting areas, observation windows, and monitor screens.

• All classes are conducted without parents or visitors in the studio unless specifically invited by a teacher or staff member.
• Parents may briefly accompany a young child into the studio at the beginning of class when needed to help the child feel comfortable and settled. Once class begins, parents should leave the studio.
• For younger dancers, especially ages 3–5, we required that a parent or responsible adult remain in the building during class, particularly if the child may need assistance with the restroom or other personal needs.
• Please make sure young children use the restroom before class whenever possible.
• Teachers are responsible for teaching the class and cannot leave the studio to provide restroom or personal assistance.
• Parents who remain in the building are responsible for supervising all children in their care, including siblings who are not participating in class.
• Siblings and other children who are not participating in class must remain with their parent or responsible adult and may not run, play, or wander through the building.
• Parents and visitors should not knock on the studio door, wave to dancers, or communicate with them through the observation windows during class.
• Please do not enter the studio, interrupt a class, or speak with the teacher during instruction.
• Questions or concerns regarding a student's progress should be discussed with the teacher outside of class time or by appointment.
• Teachers and staff are focused on teaching and supervising enrolled students and are not responsible for supervising siblings or other children who are waiting.
• Minnesota Ballet School does not provide childcare before or after scheduled class or program times.

Student Pick-Up & Release

Students must be picked up promptly at the scheduled end time of their class, rehearsal, or program.

A 15-minute grace period is provided for occasional delays. After the 15-minute grace period, a late pick-up fee will apply, as stated in the enrollment agreement.

Parents/guardians are responsible for making appropriate arrangements to ensure that students are picked up on time.

Young children and siblings who are not participating in a class or program must not be left unattended. Parents/guardians who remain at the school with other children are responsible for supervising them at all times.

Personal Belongings & Lost and Found

Students are responsible for their personal belongings and should avoid bringing valuables to the studio.

Minnesota Ballet School is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items left in the studio, changing rooms, lobby, or other areas of the building.

Please clearly label dance shoes, clothing, bags, water bottles, and other personal belongings with the student's name.

Items found at the studio will be placed in the Lost & Found. Unclaimed items may be donated or discarded periodically.

Please do not leave money, jewelry, electronics, or other valuables unattended at the studio.

Winter Weather & School Closures

In the event of severe winter weather or other hazardous conditions, Minnesota Ballet School may cancel classes when necessary for the safety of students and families.

When possible, the school will follow relevant Eden Prairie school and activity cancellation guidelines when making weather-related decisions.

Families will be notified of cancellations by email and through the school's official communication channels.

Please use your best judgment when weather or road conditions are unsafe. The safety of our students, families, and staff is our highest priority.

Student Conduct & Disciplinary Policy

Minnesota Ballet School expects students and families to behave in a respectful, courteous, and appropriate manner throughout the building.

Serious or repeated violations of school expectations may result in:

• a conversation with the student and/or parent/guardian;
• a warning or behavior plan;
• temporary removal from a class, rehearsal, or program;
• change of level or placement when appropriate;
• suspension or dismissal from Minnesota Ballet School.

Reasons for disciplinary action may include, but are not limited to, repeated disruptive behavior, disrespect toward teachers, staff, volunteers, or other students, repeated violation of school policies, poor attendance, or unpaid accounts.

If a student is removed from a class or program because of disciplinary reasons, tuition and fees will not be refunded or credited unless otherwise determined by the Directors.

For everyday studio behavior, please see our Studio Etiquette & Class Guidelines.

Property & Damages

Students and families are expected to treat the school's studios, equipment, furniture, costumes, and other property with care.

Families may be responsible for costs associated with intentional or negligent damage to school property caused by a student or accompanying family member.

Food & Snacks

Food is not permitted in the dance studios or other MBS studio areas and must be consumed outside the MBS facility. This policy applies to both dancers and parents. Food odors can travel into the studios during classes and rehearsals and may be uncomfortable or distracting for dancers, parents, and other customers who may be sensitive to certain food smells or unable to tolerate them.

Small snacks may be consumed in designated areas during long rehearsal or training days.

Please choose snacks that are quiet, non-messy, and low-odor. Meals should be eaten outside the studio and waiting areas.

Families are responsible for cleaning up after eating or drinking.

Non-Discrimination

Minnesota Ballet School welcomes students and families from diverse backgrounds.

The school does not discriminate in enrollment or participation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or other status protected by applicable law.

Policy Changes & Exceptions

Minnesota Ballet School reserves the right to update policies, schedules, fees, and procedures when necessary. Families will be notified of significant changes through the school's regular communication channels.

Any exception to a published policy must be approved by the Directors. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis and do not establish a precedent for future circumstances.

Questions

We encourage families to contact the school with any questions before registering or when a situation arises that is not addressed in these policies.

We appreciate your cooperation and support in helping Minnesota Ballet School provide a professional, safe, and positive environment for every dancer.