POLICIES AND FAQS
Please Review Carefully as Part of a Student’s Enrollment
Our goal at Westport's Academy of Dance is to develop strong dancers and outstanding community members. We strive to create an environment where dancers feel welcomed, supported, challenged, and inspired as they learn the discipline, respect, commitment, and artistry integral to dance training. We call this THE WAD WAY - View the Handbook here
These policies help us maintain a safe, respectful, and productive environment for everyone in our Academy community.
ATTENDANCE & PUNCTUALITY
Consistent attendance is essential to each dancer’s individual progress and to the success of the class as a whole, particularly as students learn and rehearse choreography together for performances.
Students should arrive 5-10 minutes before class to change, use the restroom, take care of other personal needs, and be ready when class begins.
Dancers who arrive after class has begun must ask the teacher’s permission before joining. Arrivals 15 minutes or more after the class begins will be recorded as tardy, and the dancer may be asked to observe if joining late would be unsafe or disruptive.
Dancers are also expected to remain in the studio and participate throughout class. We understand that occasional bathroom or other necessary breaks may arise. However, repeated breaks or excessive time spent outside the studio can affect both the dancer’s learning and the continuity of the class. When this becomes a pattern, we may record missed class time as tardiness and count it as part of the dancer’s overall attendance.
We recognize that some dancers may need more frequent or flexible breaks for medical, developmental, or other individual needs. Families should communicate these needs with the Academy in advance whenever possible so teachers and staff are aware and can support the dancer appropriately without unnecessarily limiting participation.
Dancers are permitted up to six absences per class each season. After six absences, Academy staff will determine whether the dancer needs additional preparation to participate in the Spring Recital. This may include required private lesson(s), scheduled at the family’s expense, to help the dancer learn missed choreography, feel prepared and confident, and ensure the class can rehearse and perform successfully as a group. If the dancer cannot be adequately prepared, they may not be able to participate in the recital.
No refunds will be issued for missed classes or inability to participate in the recital due to excessive absences. Excessive absences may also be considered when determining future class placement.
If a dancer is injured but can attend safely, and with permission from the child’s physician, they should continue attending class to observe and learn. Classes attended as an observer due to injury will not be counted as absences.
CONDUCT & CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
Our main goal at Westport’s Academy of Dance is to nurture excellence while helping our dancers become respectful, responsible, and engaged members of their communities.
Dancers are expected to:
Listen when teachers are speaking and follow directions.
Refrain from unnecessary talking or other behavior that disrupts instruction.
Participate fully and remain engaged throughout class. Dancers should not sit down or leave the studio without the teacher's permission.
Keep their hands, feet, and belongings to themselves and respect others' personal space.
Treat teachers, staff, fellow dancers, and visitors with kindness and respect.
Encourage fellow dancers rather than criticize, exclude, or make unkind comments.
Accept corrections respectfully and make an effort to apply them.
Respect Academy equipment, costumes, studios, dressing rooms, furniture, and other property.
Clean up after themselves and leave spaces as they found them.
Thank their teacher at the conclusion of class.
Follow instructions from Academy teachers and staff.
Bullying, harassment, discriminatory behavior, physical aggression, or repeated disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. Depending on the nature and severity of the behavior, the Academy may involve parents, require a meeting with Academy leadership, or remove a student from a class, performance, or program.
We ask parents to partner with us to reinforce these expectations and help maintain the Academy's supportive, caring culture.
DRESS CODE
Westport’s Academy of Dance has a dress code. The full code by discipline and age group can be found here. Hair must be secured neatly in a bun for Ballet III and above, and pulled off the face for all other ages and disciplines. Jewelry is not permitted, aside from stud earrings, for safety purposes. Street clothes are permitted for Hip Hop classes only.
Dancewear may be purchased from any retailer as long as it meets our dress code requirements. We recommend Attitude Dance & Active Wear in Norwalk, as they are familiar with the Academy’s dress code and can help you find the appropriate items.
FACILITY & SAFETY
Everyone in the Academy community is responsible for helping keep our facility safe, clean, and welcoming.
Pick up clothing, hairpins, water bottles, and other personal belongings after class.
Running is not permitted inside the Academy or immediately outside the building.
Street shoes may not be worn in the studios. Dancers should also avoid wearing dance shoes outside the facility.
Only enrolled dancers and authorized Academy staff or assistants may enter studios and dressing rooms unless otherwise permitted by staff.
No one may stand, climb, or hang on lobby furniture.
Food and beverages may only be consumed in the Café. Sport-top water bottles are permitted in studios.
Smoking is prohibited inside the Academy and on Academy property.
Theft or intentional damage to Academy or another person's property may result in removal from the program and/or further action.
Designated adults are responsible for children in their supervision who are not participating in class and may be asked to remove a child whose behavior is disruptive or unsafe.
Families are responsible for damage to Academy property caused by children under their supervision.
DRESSING ROOMS
The Academy provides designated girls' and boys' dressing rooms.
To respect our dancers' privacy, children over age 5 should not enter a dressing room designated for another gender. Designated adults who need to assist a young dancer should use an appropriate restroom or speak with Academy staff if they need additional assistance or accommodations.
Dressing rooms are for changing and preparing for class and should be kept clean and respectful. Only enrolled dancers, families, and authorized Academy staff may use these spaces.
VIDEO MONITORING
For the safety and security of our students, staff, and facility, the Academy uses video monitoring in certain common areas. Academy staff may use this system to monitor the facility and respond to safety or behavioral concerns.
Cameras will never be used in bathrooms or dressing rooms.
LOST & FOUND
Please label dancewear, shoes, water bottles, and other belongings whenever possible.
Items left at the Academy will be placed in Lost & Found, located behind the door in the girls’ dressing room. Because of the volume of items we receive, we periodically clear Lost & Found and donate unclaimed items.
Families will receive an email at least one week before a scheduled donation so they can retrieve belongings. The Academy cannot guarantee the return of lost or misplaced items.
CLASS PLACEMENT & ADVANCEMENT
Class placement is based on a combination of age, previous dance experience, technical ability, maturity, and the individual dancer's needs.
Through 5th grade, dancers in Ballet, Jazz, and Hip Hop generally progress with their age group. Beginning in 6th grade, previous experience and technique development are considered more closely when determining placement.
Tap dancers without previous Tap experience are asked to begin in an introductory-level class, regardless of age. Academy faculty determine placement and advancement.
When evaluating readiness to advance, teachers consider factors including:
Focus and engagement
Attendance and punctuality
Technical development
Understanding and execution of curriculum
Maturity and readiness for the expectations of the next level
Most dancers progress with their age group, but occasionally a dancer benefits from additional time at a particular level. When possible, parents will be notified in advance if faculty anticipate recommending a different placement.
TUITION, WITHDRAWALS & REFUNDS
We offer payment options for annual tuition:
1: Pay tuition in full at registration
2: Pay 50% at registration and the remaining 50% on October 1st.
Costume and Media fees are due upon enrollment.
We accept credit card payments through our secure online system, subject to a 3.5% processing fee. Families may pay by check to avoid the processing fee.
Families with multiple enrolled dancers receive a 5% sibling discount.
Tuition, Costume, and Media fees are non-refundable. If a dancer withdraws from a class, the Academy may provide a prorated credit toward future Academy programming. Please contact the office to discuss withdrawals and available credit.
Please see our Program Page for current tuition rates or contact us with questions.
ILLNESS
To help keep our dancers, families, and staff healthy, dancers who are sick or experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness should stay home and return to class when they are well enough to participate safely.
If a dancer becomes ill during class, they may be asked to sit and rest while the Academy contacts their designated adult for pickup.
Dancers who are injured but otherwise well are encouraged to attend and observe class when they can do so safely (per the approval of the child’s physician). Classes observed due to injury will not count as absences.
PHONES AND PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES
No phones, smartwatches, and other personal devices are permitted inside the studios.
If a dancer needs access to a device for a specific reason, please speak with the teacher or Academy staff in advance. In an emergency, parents may always contact the Academy office to reach their dancer.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Our program is 34-weeks and begins in September and concludes with our recital in late May or early June.
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Our Ballet Program is a structured training track designed to help dancers progressively develop their ballet technique, strength, coordination, musicality, and artistry as they move through the program. Each level has a set number of required ballet technique hours per week, allowing dancers to build upon their skills year after year.
Required Ballet Technique by Grade:
Kindergarten: 45 minutes of ballet technique per week
1st & 2nd Grade: 1 hour of ballet technique per week
3rd Grade: 2 hours of ballet technique per week
4th-7th Grade: 3 hours of ballet technique per week
8th Grade & Up (Jr. & Sr. Company): 4 hours of ballet technique per week
Creative Movement is the beginning of our Ballet Program. Designed for our youngest dancers (3 & 4 years), Creative Movement encourages freedom of expression while introducing students to traditional ballet steps, terminology, musicality, and classroom structure in an age-appropriate and imaginative way.
As dancers progress through the Ballet Program, their training becomes increasingly comprehensive and focused, providing the foundation they need to continue developing as well-rounded dancers.
Participation in the Ballet Program also provides dancers in 1st Grade and above with eligibility to participate in our annual Nutcracker production, giving students the opportunity to apply their ballet training in a full-length performance experience.
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We follow the Westport Public Schools calendar. If Westport Public Schools closes due to inclement weather or cancels after-school activities, the Academy will close as well.
Please see our calendar page linked here, for all key dates.
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We follow Westport Public Schools regarding weather-related closures and after-school activity cancellations. We will also post updates on the Academy's social media.
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Dancers in 3rd grade and below must be accompanied by a responsible adult before and after class and may not be dropped off unattended. 4th and 5th grade students who are being dropped off without a guardian should not arrive more than 10 minutes before their scheduled class time.
Dancers in 5th grade & below must wait to be picked up inside the studio. If you have a dancer who is old enough to be dropped off or picked up without a guardian entering the facility, kindly utilize the plentiful parking spaces available at our location to do so. The driving lane needs to be reserved for moving vehicles only, as drivers in upcoming cars may not see children who are crossing the parking lot if others are idling out of properly marked parking spaces. We ask that all families help us keep everyone safe by abiding by these guidelines.
Older dancers should be dropped off and picked up promptly according to Academy guidelines. Please contact the office with questions about your child's specific situation.
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Dancers in Grade 1 & below are not permitted to take two consecutive classes. Dancers in Grades 2 & up may take a maximum of two consecutive classes.
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Yes! Our annual Nutcracker is open to dancers in Grade 1 and above who are enrolled in the Ballet program.
Participation is a separate commitment from regular classes, with weekend rehearsals. The production is in December at Staples High School. Please see our Performances page for more information.
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Yes, Alice is our annual Jazz, Tap, Modern, and Hip Hop interpretation of Alice in Wonderland. Dancers in Grade 1 and above who are enrolled at the Academy are eligible to participate
Participation is a separate commitment, with weekend rehearsals outside of regular class time. The production typically takes place in May at Bedford Middle School. Please see our Performances page for more information.
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We teach and rehearse recital choreography during regularly scheduled class time. There is also an additional rehearsal during the week before the recital, and dancers may be called at a time other than their regular class time.
There is no separate recital participation fee beyond the costume fee for each class. Dancers keep their costumes following the performance.
The recital typically takes place in late May or early June.
Please remember that dancers with more than six absences may not be eligible to participate in the recital.
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Dancers in Grade 3 and above must wear their hair in a secure bun for Ballet technique classes. Younger Ballet dancers and dancers in other disciplines must have their hair securely pulled back and away from their face.
Please see our Dress Code page for additional information and accommodations.
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Students are generally evaluated for pointe readiness beginning in Jr. IIA (typically 6th grade).
Readiness is determined individually and includes factors such as training length and consistency, attendance, strength, technique, and anatomical readiness.
Dancers should not purchase pointe shoes until their teacher instructs them to do so. Beginning pointe work before a dancer is physically and technically ready increases the risk of injury.
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All dancers are welcome to enroll in any Academy disciplines for which they meet the age and placement requirements. We do not currently offer classes exclusively for boys.
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Our Spotlight classes start in 6th grade that are designed for dancers who are not enrolled in our Ballet program and are focused less on technique and more on musicality, coordination, and performance quality.
Our Hip Hop & Tap programs are also open to dancers not enrolled in the Ballet program. Levels vary based on prior experience.
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Yes. Mommy/Daddy & Me classes are recommended for children ages 18 months–3 years and their participating adult. Classes are 45 minutes and are offered in 5 to 8-week sessions on weekday mornings.
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Yes! We offer a full events program. Please email us for information and availability.
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Yes. Please email us to request a private lesson.
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Please email us as soon as you become aware of the conflict.
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Yes. Please email us or provide the office with your email address, and we can have you added to the adult program email list.