Classes

Class Placement

The school faculty meets regularly to discuss the students’ progress and/or placement. It is our policy to offer appropriate opportunities to every child.

The school year breakdown of our classes is a suggested starting point for students. Once we see the student in class and dancing we are better able to place them in an appropriate class to make sure they benefit the most. We place students in classes as per their ability and not just ages with the exception of our pre-school classes which are strictly aged based.

Placement decisions are derived from many years of teaching experience. Often a child is placed in a particular group or class where he or she will feel confident, in order to promote the development of self-esteem. Some students who are placed in a higher level than they are ready for become discouraged, only to lose their passion for dance. Others respond to the challenge of being in a class with students who are more proficient by pushing themselves to work harder. Placement is highly individual and the factors that go into the decision are complex.

Classroom Observation

Parents are not allowed to watch classes. Please drop off your child and return to pick them up at the end of class. Please remain outside the doors until the class has been dismissed. We believe in creating a great environment for your children without distraction so they can learn the art of dance and focus them appropriately.

We hold ‘Parent Watch Weeks’ during the year for our preschool & junior academies. This is the chance for you to see first-hand what the classroom experience is like for your child. Please do not bring infants or other children to the parent watch week.

Never disrupt class. During the parent watch week (or at any time if the door to the classroom is open), please refrain from shouting instructions or distracting your child in any way. We also ask that if you are in the class that you remain off your mobile phone and be engaged with what your child is doing. 

Dos and Don'ts

• Some parents may compare their child’s progress or class placement to another child’s. Watch for this behaviour in your children as well and encourage them to focus instead on their own accomplishments.

• Looking to other students for inspiration is good; however, making negative comparisons distracts children from focusing on becoming stronger dancers. In addition, speaking negatively about your child’s teachers, fellow students, or other parents in front of your child––or other students––could result in problems far beyond your original concerns. Often children will imitate a parent’s behaviour with other adults or authority figures.

• Children learn important lessons from their teachers and parents, acquiring behaviour patterns through their example. Our school’s faculty takes that responsibility seriously. It’s our philosophy to encourage our students to feel, think, and act respectfully toward their peers, the adults in their lives, and themselves.

• If you have questions or concerns about your child’s dance education (such as progress or class placement), please discuss them with your child’s teacher or the director. Talking only to other parents can lead to misinformation and confusion. Please contact the school office to set up an appointment; do not approach your child’s teacher or the director between or during classes or make contact outside of the school.

• If you do request a conference, please listen carefully to what your child’s teachers have to say. They spend a significant amount of time with your child and offer expertise in the field of dance education.

• Class placement of students is highly individual and the factors that go into the decision are complex.

Age/Year Groups

Our classes are broken down into school year groups and materials taught are appropriate for that age group of children. Ages are calculated as of April 30th of the year.  We appreciate parents adhering to the age-specific classes as we truly believe in and encourage age-specific learning for the dancers in our studio.

If you have any questions about what class or level your child should be in, please contact the office. 

Ages 2, 3, 4 & 5 - Preschool Academy

• babyballet Tinies, 2-3 years

• babyballet Movers, 3-4 years

• babyballet Groovers, Pre-Kindy (attending Kindy in 2026)

Kindy, Year 1 & Year 2 - Junior Academy 

·       Ballet, Jazz, Tap, AcroDance, Hip Hop

Year 3 & Year 4 - Elementary Academy 

·       Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, AcroDance, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Performance Team

Year 5 & Year 6 - Intermediate Academy 

·       Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, AcroDance, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Performance Team

Year 7, Year 8 & Year 9 - Senior Academy 

·       Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, AcroDance, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Pointe, Performance Team

Year 10, Year 11 & Year 12 - Advanced Academy 

·       Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Contemporary, AcroDance, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Pointe, Performance Team

Missed Classes

We do not offer refunds for any missed classes (medical certificate exception for class credit only). If students miss a class, they can do a make-up class during the same session it was missed if space is available in another class.

Make-up class bookings are based on your annual membership level. 

• Basic membership = only classes missed due to a public holiday closure can be booked for make-up classes.

• Family membership = Missed classes can be booked for make-up classes during the same school term they are missed.

• Elite & Ambassador memberships = Missed classes can be booked for make-up classes at any time during the year (excluding the blackout period).

A blackout period will apply from November 2nd - December 5th, 2026. Make-up classes cannot be booked during the blackout period.

Make-up classes can be booked for any style of class on our schedule, not just the class style they missed. The make-up class must be in the same age group as the student. To book a make-up class please visit the booking information page: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lHCifIYc6dgMJLpq0FR9NplbzTcjCQn3/view?usp=drive_link 

Discipline Policy

In order to maintain a happy, healthy, professional environment, students are taught the importance of being a part of the group. We encourage students to have respect for other students, the teachers and staff, and studio property, and we foster the development of good habits and compliance with rules of conduct.

Our staff and faculty are trained to use constructive techniques of discipline to maintain class control and handle individual misbehaviour.

• Children who exhibit unacceptable behaviour or attitudes are told what is wrong and directed to a positive alternative approach or behaviour.

• If a child strikes another child, the two are respectfully separated and each is asked to explain what happened. They are then asked to help solve the problem, talk to each other, and reconcile with one another.

• Children who are disruptive will be respectfully asked to stop the behaviour. If the behaviour is repeated, they will be reminded of it and told how it affects others. If the disruption continues, the children involved will be asked to sit down for a short period of time (usually three to five minutes) before rejoining the class.

• If a child’s misbehaviour continues to disrupt the class, the parent or guardian will be called to pick up the child.

Attendance

All students are expected to attend their regularly scheduled classes. Each class offers a step forward in the educational process. A missed class could leave a child one step behind the other students. During the months of June through December, choreography for the recital will be taught and rehearsed. It is important for children to feel completely confident with the choreography and the year-end performance. Missing class during this period could result in frustration for the students and their teachers and classmates.

Dancers who are participating in the recital performance must maintain a 75% attendance average across all classes from June 1st onward. (Requirement of recital participation) 

Tardiness

Dance is a physical activity that requires the body to be warmed up in order to execute movement safely. Late students miss the proper warm-up and/or barre and therefore may sustain injury. Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late may be asked to observe class for reasons of personal safety.

Class Visitors

Safety issues and legal responsibilities make it difficult for us to allow students to bring visitors into the classroom. Students should not invite siblings, other relatives, or friends to their classes with the exception of special events.

Lost and Found

Please mark all dance wear, shoes, and personal items with your child's name. We will make every effort to locate and return lost items; however, we cannot be responsible for any items that your child brings to class.

You can find our lost and found items in the red bucket that is located at the front door. 

Unclaimed property will be donated to charity at the end of each school term.