Tuition & Registration
The year’s tuition is divided into 4 equal payments, due on the first lesson of September, November, February, and April. The price of one 45 minute- class per quarter is $96. The price of one 1-hour class per quarter is $128. The cost of each additional class is discounted in the case of multiple classes and/or sibling enrollment. If you choose to pay the full season’s tuition by September 30, 2011, you will receive an additional 10% discount on the total cost. Detailed tuition schedules are available in the studio and in our parent handbook, which all families receive at the time of registration. Please note that there is a $25 registration fee per family.
Additional payments include a costume deposit of $50 per recital costume due by Nov 1. Deposits are non-refundable, and balances are due by Jan 15. For payment inquiries or questions, please contact us.
Tuition Refund Policy
No tuition refunds will be offered for missed lessons or classes dropped by a student after payment has been made. In the case of missed classes, students may attend a comparable “makeup” class. In the case of dropped classes, we are willing to issue a credit to your account that may be used for up to one year for future classes at CSDS. Account credits may not be used toward costume deposits, dance camp tuition, or any other studio expenses that are not standard class tuition. Tuition will not be adjusted for students participating in activities that conflict with their regular dance schedule. Quarterly tuition must be maintained to hold your place in class
Rules & Procedures
Students should arrive on time for class. Arriving to the studio a few minutes early ensures that students are ready to dance at the start of class. This is to avoid classes being disrupted by a late arrival and to ensure that all students receive a proper warm-up.
Students should be respectful of their teacher and fellow students. Our faculty strives to attend to the needs of all students by being respectful and patient in class. We ask that parents and students understand that corrections made by the teacher are part of dance education and are always intended as constructive and helpful to the dancer’s progress.
Dress Code
All dancers must adhere to the specific dress code for their classes. Following dress code includes allows students in class to view themselves as a team and allows the teacher the proper viewpoint for making technical corrections. In addition, hair should always be neatly tied back for all classes and should be in a secure bun for all ballet classes. Our school dress code is on file at On Your Toes in Peabody and at Patterson’s in Burlington. Both of these stores carry all of our preferred items. A full dress code policy sheet is available in the studio. Please note the specific class dress codes:
- Ballet & Pointe: Black leotard, Pink tights. Pink ballet slipper, Ages 3 through 2nd grade. Grade 3 and up, Bloch leather split-soled. Teen & Ensemble, Sansha Pro Canvas split-soled. Hair must be in a bun for all ballet classes.
- Jazz: Solid color leotard, Tan tights. Bloch jazz booties. Intro Jazz through Jazz Technique II & Petite Ensemble, Bloch Tan Jazz booties. Teen & JE, YE, DE: Bloch Black Jazz booties.
- Tap: Solid color leotard, Tan tights, dance shorts or capri pants acceptable. No long pants allowed so teacher can see ankle. All dancers, age 5 through Junior Ensemble Tap should wear Bloch Tan. Youth Ensemble and up, Black oxford. Please see Dress Code sheet for specific shoe style.
- Lyrical/Contemporary & Modern: Solid color leotard and tan stirrup, convertible or footless tights. Bare legs and dance shorts acceptable. No shoes.
- Hip Hop/Kid Funk: Solid tank or tee-shirt. Dance shorts or capri pants acceptable, no long pants. Any plain black sneaker is acceptable. Sneakers worn to class must not be worn outside.
Class Placement
Class Placement is one of our top priorities at CSDS. We strive to place our young students with students of the same age. Ages 2 – 4 primarily enter our Creative Dance 
Students, while ages 5 & 6 enter the Kindercombo program. From then on, students are placed by a combination of age & ability. Years of previous training at another dance school does not determine class placement. Often times with new students a “placement class” is suggested so that the teacher can find the best fit for the progress of the dancer. Our Ensemble Team programs at CSDS are by invitation only, but we are always available to chat with students or parents who may be interested in learning more about the program.
Attendance, Holidays, and School Closings
Click Here to view our 2011 – 2012 Calendar
In the case of absences, please call in advance so the teacher can mark the student absent. There are no refunds for missed classes; however, makeup classes may be taken in a comparable class until recital work begins in January. If a student misses 3 or more classes after January 1, 2012, the students placement in class may be reconsidered. Coming to class to observe is strongly encouraged if the student is feeling well enough.
CSDS will close in observance of the following holidays: Columbus Day, Thanksgiving recess (Wed – Sat), Winter Holiday break (coincides with Melrose Public School), MLK Jr. Day, Feb. & April vacation, Easter/Passover and Memorial Day.
Weather cancellations coincide with the Melrose Public Schools. Call 781-665-5059 or visit our website to confirm. The tuition schedule allows for one snow day. Make-up classes will be scheduled when the allotted snow days have been used.
Recital, Dress Rehearsal, and Ticket Sales
At the end of the studio school year a recital will be presented in a school auditorium setting. Although participation is not mandatory, we encourage all to participate. Exact dates are posted in October, although we traditionally hold our recital the second Sunday in June. Details are dependent on the availability of the Melrose Middle School.
- Dress Rehearsal is a one-day event held at the recital venue, usually the Friday before the recital. This is a full-scale rehearsal in which all students rehearse their routine on the stage in costume with full hair & makeup. Students are required to attend dress rehearsal, as it benefits the student, the class, and the overall quality of the production.
- Studio Rehearsal is a casual in-studio run-through of the entire recital. It is held on 2 days the week of the show. The first day is reserved for Act One of the recital, and the second days is for Act Two. Studio Rehearsal is a fun opportunity for all students to share their recital pieces with the rest of the school, and helps the faculty plan for a smoother dress rehearsal and show.
- Tickets are on sale at the studio about one month prior to the recital. We offer reserved seating. Ticket Day is offered as a courtesy for those who wish to have their choice of seating early. A number will be given out in the order in which parents arrive and tickets will be sold in that order later in the afternoon. If you are not available to attend ticket day they are available to purchase at the studio every day and at dress rehearsal.
Monthly Newsletters
A monthly newsletter is distributed to all students upon the first class of each month and is also available online. These notices contain pertinent information about our studio calendar and events.