North Ballet Academy

Payment Schedule

Students enrolled in the Complete Classical Ballet Program (Level 1-Levle 4) are enrolled in a 12 month program, tuition payments for the Complete Classical Ballet Program are made September through August of each year.  Monthly tuition payments remain the same for the entire 12 month period, and are inclusive of all eligible summer ballet classes and intensives.  Summer Ballet Class participation is expected and required for students in Level 1-Level 4.  See program information for specific tuition pricing.

Please review our Dress Code page.

North Ballet Academy will provide an opportunity for dancers to try on leotards and ballet slippers at our annual
Open House in August.  Please check our Yearly Schedule for dates and times.

If students would like further fitting options, we highly recommend visiting Grand Jete' on Grand Avenue in St. Paul (click here for the Grand Jete' website)

As a professional ballet Academy, it is essential that parents and students remain informed about Academy happenings, as well as tuition and schedule information. It is expected that all parents and adult students provide a current email address and check the email account on a regular basis. Monthly tuition statements are also sent via email. It is also expected that students and/or parents check their Student Mailbox at least twice per month in order to stay current on Academy happenings that relate to specific classes and students. Student Mailboxes are located next to the entrance of the Academy, under the Dry Erase Board. Please watch for notifications on the Dry Erase Board as to when you may have “mail” to pick up, or other important notices.
Instructors and Directors are always interested and available to talk with parents and students at any point. To respect the start of class time, please schedule an appointment with instructors and Directors to discuss detailed topics. The front desk is an excellent resource for general class, schedule, tuition, performance, etc. questions.

Attendance and Punctuality
Regular, punctual attendance is important to a student’s progress. Students are expected to attend all classes, for the full duration of the class. Students may not leave in the middle of class or during “transition” times (ie. between technique and pointe.) If a student must leave class early for special circumstances, the request must be approved by the instructor BEFORE CLASS BEGINS. Dancers who miss class are expected to attend a make-up class in a timely manner. Make-ups should be scheduled with the receptionist and should take place at the student’s current level or in the level immediately below. Being on time for class is essential. If a student is 
late, they are expected to wait outside until the current exercise is finished, then quietly enter the room and wait by the door to be acknowledged by the instructor. All late comers must bow or curtsy before being allowed to join the class. If a student misses the first exercises at the barre (or the first 10 minutes of class for Pre-Ballet and Creative Movement,) s/he will be asked to observe the remainder of class, as it will not be possible for them to be properly warmed up to join the other students.

Student Etiquette
Students are expected to give their undivided attention to the instructor at all times and to put forth their maximum effort during each and every class. Therefore, students may not talk during class. (Creative Movement students are encouraged to keep talking to a minimum, and only speak at appropriate times during class.) Students should raise their hand if they have questions. It is expected that students arrive early enough to fully prepare themselves for class– this includes getting dressed, doing hair, using the restroom, 
etc. All restroom needs are strongly encouraged to be taken care of before and after class. If restroom use becomes a regular need during class time, a parent-teacher conference will be scheduled to discuss the issue. All students are expected to enter and exit the studio appropriately, and perform reverence as instructed by the teacher to begin and end all ballet classes. Students are expected to follow a dress code, as outlined on the next page.

Parent Etiquette
Parents are not allowed in the studios during North Ballet Academy classes. Parents are, of course, welcome to attend class during Parent Observation Week, Exam Week and/or any portion of class as designated by the class instructor.

Food and Water
No food or water will be permitted in the studios. Students are expected to bring a water bottle, which should be left in their cubby. Eating is permitted in the workshop area only, and may not be left on counters, tables, etc. PLEASE clean up after yourself and your children!

Evaluation and Placement
Students will receive a mid-year evaluation in November, and an end of the year evaluation in May. Level Placement recommendations are made entirely at the discretion of the Program Director, with input from instructors. Any level changes will take place at the beginning of the program year (September.) Students transferring from other schools are required to attend a placement class at the earliest possible time. The instructor will make a placement recommendation and class level will be assigned accordingly. All young dancers must be toilet trained before entering a program. 

Video, Audio and Photo Recording
No video, audio, photo or any other recordings are allowed in the studios without written permission from the Academy Director.

All registered families are required to fulfill a minimum of three volunteer positions (per family) between the months of September and June. Volunteer positions will be posted in the lobby. Volunteer positions are filled on a first-come-first serve basis. Any volunteer position that is not fulfilled in a timely manner will be randomly assigned (through a drawing of parent names who have not yet volunteered). All assigned volunteers will be notified upon assignment, should a randomly selected drawing need to take place. Volunteer positions for September through December are posted on the first day of classes in September of each year. Volunteer positions for January through June are posted on December 1 of each year. Families who do not fulfill their volunteer requirements will be billed an additional $90 Volunteer Fee on June 1. Students with outstanding volunteer fees will not be able to 
participate in the Spring Performance.

Make-Up Classes
Students should make up any classes due to injury or illness. Make-ups must be completed within the same month at the student’s level or the level immediately below. No refund or credit is given for missed classes. At the discretion of the Academy Director, a credit toward the next tuition payment will only be issued in the case of extreme illness or injury which prevents the student from returning to class for an extended period of time. We respectfully request that parents keep us up to date on any health conditions 
that may affect attendance and/or dance abilities.
In the event of weather cancellations, students may attend a make-up class based on the above policy.

Class Withdrawal
Should a student decide to withdraw from classes, the front desk must be notified, in writing, a minimum of 30 days prior to the first of the following month. All outstanding balances are due at the time of withdrawal. No exceptions are made to this policy

Each year, North Ballet Academy and North Ballet Youth Company will present The Nutcracker in December and the Annual Spring Performance in June. In order to participate in The Nutcracker, students must attend auditions and commit to weekend rehearsals outside of class time. Rehearsal commitment will be roughly 30-60 minutes per week for young dancers, and 1-2 hours per week for older dancers- based on roles. Students are permitted two excused absences from Nutcracker rehearsals on nonmandatory days. 
All North Ballet Academy students who are enrolled in a full class program are eligible to participate in the annual Spring Performance. Costume fees are billed in full on January 1. Costume fees are non-refundable. 
The purpose of all performances hosted by North Ballet Academy and North Ballet Youth Company are to provide students with an opportunity to experience classical ballet as performed on stage with an audience, and also to bring classical ballet experiences to our community. Beginning in February/March, students will spend a small portion of class time learning, practicing and perfecting the choreography that will be performed at the Spring Performance.
Rehearsal and performance dates and times will be made available as soon as is possible. Please know that dress rehearsals are required in order for performance participation. The performance date is subject to change based on stage availability and North Ballet Academy scheduling. Families and students will be notified as early as is possible of any date changes.
All efforts will be made to keep costume costs as low as possible. The focus of North Ballet Academy performances is to provide students with the opportunity to dance in a professional quality production. Families and students will be notified of costume requirements and costs in advance.

For further questions about performance and/or costume policy, please contact the Front Desk at Information@NorthBallet.com.

North Ballet Academy will close due to weather related concerns using the Elk River School District as a guide. The final decision will be made by the Program Director and the Academy Director. Check the North Ballet Academy website for the latest closing information, or visit www.wcco.com for school district closings.  An email will also be sent out to all currently registered students and families indicating any weather related closures.  Classes cancelled due to weather are to be made up based on the North Ballet Academy Class Make-Up policy.

All North Ballet Academy classes are subject to change based on enrollment and Academy scheduling. Families and students will be notified as soon as possible of any schedule or policy changes. Notification may done in the form of lobby posting, email, eNewsletter update, or handout put in student mailboxes, among other forms. It is the responsibility, and expectation, that parents and students stay actively informed of all Academy happenings by checking their email and student mailboxes regularly, as well as any Academy postings done in the lobby. This is agreed upon by all participating students and families, and is notated as an agreement upon online registration and/or the signature on the annual consent form (given out upon registration or at the start of the new program year). North Ballet Academy will occasionally close due to weather related concerns. Check the North Ballet Academy website for the latest closing information. Classes may be made up based on the North Ballet Academy Class Make-Up policy.