Studio Standards
The MethodThe Standard
The Method is a professional training environment. These policies exist not as restrictions, but as the foundation of a culture where serious work can happen.
Every dancer, parent, and guardian is expected to read, understand, and uphold these standards as a condition of enrollment.
Consistent attendance is expected. In order for your dancer to progress and benefit fully from their training, active, continuous, and timely participation is required.
No refunds or tuition adjustments are given for missed classes. Make-up classes may be scheduled through the Studio Pro portal and taken within 2 weeks of the missed class, subject to availability.
Absenteeism affects the entire class and group choreography. Students are responsible for knowing missed material by consulting a classmate or scheduling a private lesson.
Classes begin promptly at the scheduled time. Students are expected to be on time, in proper attire, and prepared for class. Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late may be denied entry to class, or permitted to join, at the teacher's discretion.
Students should not attend class while sick or running a fever. Please email us ahead of time to let us know of an illness, and we will do our best to accommodate.
No refunds or tuition credits are given for absences due to illness, but we will do our best to accommodate make-up sessions where possible.
THE METHOD follows local school district closures for inclement weather and other emergency closures. If your school district is closed, assume classes at THE METHOD are also closed unless notified otherwise.
The required uniform must be worn to all ballet classes. Leotard colors are assigned by level — see our full Ballet Levels & Leotard Guide for details.
Purchase Uniform →Black tights and a black leotard are required for all Modern classes.
All black attire is required for Contemporary classes. Required all-black attire can be purchased through our studio uniform link.
Dress code as specified per class. Required attire for Commercial classes can be purchased through our studio uniform link.
For all commercial-style classes, hair may be worn in a ponytail — if it falls during class, it is not pulled back well enough. For ballet, hair must be pulled up and completely out of the face.
The first time a student is not in proper dress code, they will be permitted to join class. The second time, the student will not be permitted to join class. No crop tops are permitted in any dance class.
No street shoes are permitted in the studio. Dance shoes should not be worn outside. Dancers should wear cover-ups and street shoes to and from the studio. Monday–Thursday and Saturday are uniform days. Friday is Free Dress day.
Be prompt to arrive — late arrivals disrupt class and cause the late student to miss important warm-up. Knock before entering the classroom if a class is already in progress. If a student needs to leave before class ends, they must ask to be excused by the teacher and do so discreetly.
No gum chewing, eating, or drinking in the studios — water is okay. No cell phones during class. Eyes and attention must stay on the teacher at all times. Refrain from dancing ahead when reviewing or relearning choreography.
Always show respect to the teacher. Be appreciative of corrections and earnestly apply them. Be kind and respectful to classmates — displays of temper or disrespect are unacceptable.
When class is finished, clap and thank the teacher. Do not leave behind hair pins, water bottles, or clothing — take all belongings with you.
Upon registration, class placement is determined by age, physical development, and level of previous training. Placement decisions are at the discretion of THE METHOD's faculty and director.
Over time, placement is based on class participation, attendance, progress, attentiveness, ability, attitude, and consistency. Each student progresses at their own rate, not that of their friends.
Dance levels are not like school grades — a student may remain at the same level for a year or more before they are physically and mentally ready for the next. Two students of the same age and years of experience may be placed at different levels.
Pointe placement is determined solely by faculty. Age alone does not qualify a dancer for pointe work — readiness is assessed individually through strength, alignment, and technical control.
Payments to THE METHOD may be made through the Studio Pro customer portal.
Auto-Pay is THE METHOD's preferred payment method. With Auto-Pay enrolled, tuition and fees on file are charged automatically via ACH according to your billing schedule. If you wish to use another form of payment other than ACH, you must reach out to [email protected].
THE METHOD accepts ACH bank payments through Studio Pro by default. Manual or alternate payments are subject to late fees per the schedule below. All accounts receive an emailed receipt after any charge.
A non-refundable annual registration fee applies per student at the time of enrollment. Registration fees help maintain THE METHOD's facilities, faculty standards, and administrative operations.
Registration is completed through our Studio Pro customer portal, where families can complete enrollment forms, review class schedules, and manage account information online.
Tuition is billed per semester/term, in advance — not month-to-month. Terms: Fall I (Aug 28–Oct 15), Fall II (Oct 16–Dec 18), Winter (Jan 4–Mar 6), Spring (Mar 7–May 3). Dancers joining mid-term are billed a prorated amount based on remaining class sessions.
Families must maintain an active, valid payment method on file at all times.
A late fee of $75.00 is assessed on any balance unpaid after the 5th of the month. Accounts more than 15 days past due may be withheld from class, rehearsal, casting, and performance until current. Accounts more than 60 days past due may be referred for collection.
A $75.00 fee is assessed for any returned check, declined card, or failed ACH transaction. After two failed payments, THE METHOD may require payment by certified funds for the remainder of the season.
All payments to THE METHOD are non-refundable and non-transferable. This includes tuition, registration fees, costume fees, performance fees, competition fees, and deposits — regardless of absence, illness, injury, schedule conflict, relocation, closure, dismissal, or voluntary withdrawal.
Families who withdraw mid-term remain financially responsible for tuition through the end of the current billing term, regardless of the withdrawal date.
Thirty (30) days' written notice is required to withdraw from any class or from the program. Notice must be submitted in writing to THE METHOD at the contact address or email on file and is effective on the date received.
Tuition is non-refundable. Students who withdraw are required to complete payment through the end of the current billing term, regardless of when withdrawal notice is given or when the student stops attending.
Non-attendance is not notice. Notice given verbally, to an instructor in passing, or to the rental facility is not valid notice.
Your account remains active, and tuition continues to accrue, until withdrawal procedures have been completed and all tuition owed through the end of the current term has been paid.
A positive, professional attitude is expected from all students and family members. Profanity, gossip, and disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Bullying, harassment, or disruptive behavior by a student, parent, or family member is grounds for removal from the program at the sole discretion of the director.
Trust between faculty, students, and families is essential. Please share concerns or questions with the director directly rather than through other families or students.
Students must arrive on time and be picked up promptly after class. Unsupervised children are not permitted in the facility — siblings must remain supervised by a parent or guardian at all times. Please leave valuables at home — THE METHOD is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Classrooms are closed to observation outside of designated observation days, held periodically each season. Parents are asked to observe only during these designated times.
Only water is permitted in the studios. Food and drinks are allowed only in designated waiting areas. Dance bags should be stored in designated areas during class. THE METHOD's facilities are tobacco-free.
Progress depends significantly on how a student approaches their training. Participate with positive energy, focus, work hard, and earnestly apply corrections.
Repetition outside of class is one of the most under-rated factors in a dancer's progress. Students who practice on their own show more consistent growth than those who rely on class time alone.
Students may not use electronic devices during class time, except at a teacher's request for educational purposes. This includes cell phones, music devices, gaming systems, and video or digital cameras.
Students are not permitted to leave class to take phone calls.
Students may not photograph or record other students while in the studio, restrooms, or dressing areas.
Questions about studio policies or enrollment standards?
Contact The Method Team→