Student Handbook

Each person at Innovate Performing Arts Center holds a part in creating a healthy, safe, and joy filled learned environment. Students are expected to bring a positive attitude to class, approaching staff, teachers, and fellow students with respect and kindness. Remember that all feedback and corrections from teachers come from a place of positivity and are to benefit the dancer in technical growth and artistry. 

Studio Rules:

• Students are expected to keep conversation to a minimum during class. Focus should remain on instruction and learning to maintain a positive learning environment.

• Cell phones are not permitted in the dance studio. Phones must remain silent and stored in bags during class.

• Profanity, unsportsmanlike conduct, gossip, and slanderous remarks will not be tolerated.

• Shoes and personal belongings must be brought into the studio with the student. No items may be left in the lobby.

• Gum is not permitted in the studio.

Behavior Problems

We want to see all of our students thrive in our dance classes. Students who are repeatedly disrupting class or have shown disrespect to teachers or peers, may be asked to attend an action plan meeting to resolve problems moving forward. If behavior problems are not resolved, students may be removed from class.

Bullying 

We strive to create a safe space for all students to learn, grow, make mistakes, and have fun. Any behavior towards another student that may compromise that is not tolerated and may result in removal from the studio if behavior is not improved. 

If your student is experiencing any form of bullying or harassment at the studio or online by an Innovate PAC student, please contact us immediately to ensure we can resolve the situation and help your student feel safe in our community. 

Refunds

All tuition, costume, registration, and any other payment made to Innovate PAC is nonrefundable. 

Tuition

Tuition is due on the 1st of each month. An invoice will be sent out on the 15th of the prior month, for the following month. For billing purposes, all 40 minute classes are rounded up to 45 minutes, all 55 minute classes are rounded up to 1 hour, and all 1 hour and 10 minute classes are rounded up to 1 hour and 15 minutes. 

Automatic Tuition Payments

Automatic tuition payments are highly encouraged, ensuring no tuition payment is missed and removing the risk of late payment fees. Automatic payments can be set up on your 2nd tuition invoice by selecting the automatic payment option.

Late Payments 

Any tuition invoice not paid by the 7th will be subject to a $25 late fee. 

If tuition is overdue by more than one month, the student will not be eligible for classes until tuition is paid in full or until a payment plan is put in place with the Studio Director. If more than two months of tuition are unpaid, the student will be dropped from all classes. Any account that is paid past the 7th of the month for more than two consecutive months must be placed on automatic payments to continue classes. 

We understand unfortunate circumstances may occur leading to late or unpaid tuition payments. Please reach out to the office to set up an action plan meeting for payment.  

Annual Registration Fee

At registration a $25 registration fee per student is due each year. Payment is due by the student’s 1st class.

Family Discount 

20% off additional student’s monthly tuition. Applies to the student(s) with the least amount of weekly class hours. Discount applies up to 3 hours of tuition. 

Saturday Class Credits

Classes held on Saturdays are provided a monthly class credit to makeup for the cancelled classes due to performances. 

Example:

45 min class - $5.00 credit per month

1 hour class - $7.00 credit per month

Our dress code prepares students for success by eliminating distractions, allowing dancers to move safely and properly, increasing focus, and improving confidence. Students not following dress code may be asked to sit and observe class at the discretion of the instructor. 

Learn more on our dress code page 

Parents/Guardians are not allowed in the classroom, unless for a parent and dancer class. Our lobby is open to parents/guardians. Please do not attempt to engage with your student through the observation window as this disrupts the learning environment. All classes at Innovate PAC are livestreamed via Google Meet accessed in your Google Classroom. Parents may drop off students and pick them up at the end of class.

Students must be picked up promptly after class. Students who have a break between classes and are over the age of 9, may wait at the studio without a parent/guardian present. Any student picked up more than 10 minutes late will be charged a late pick up fee of $10 for every 10 minute increment past the end of their class time. 

All students must be potty trained or be able to go the full duration of class without bathroom assistance. If your student is enrolled in Tiny Dancers and needs assistance with the restroom, parents must be onsite for the entire duration of class and may not drop off. 

All important information will be emailed to the contact email listed on your student’s registration form. It is your responsibility to stay up to date on all information from the studio. We do our best to share information in a timely manner that is thorough and clear. If you have an additional contact you would like to be on our mailing list, please notify the office to get them added. 

For questions or concerns, please email us at office@innovatepac.com for the most timely response. 

Don’t forget to like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @innovateperformingarts!

Registration is based on your student’s age as of September 1, 2026. Refer to the Level and Age Guidelines to register your student properly. 

For classes requiring placement, the student’s placement is determined by the instructor and Studio Director based on ability, age, and experience. New students hoping to register for a placement class, will need to be assessed by an instructor/Studio Director prior to registering. Contact office@innovatepac.com to arrange assessment. Returning students will receive written permission via email to register for the class. 

Students are likely to spend 2-3 years in a single level before moving up. Please keep in mind, all students progress at different rates. Level changes typically occur at the start of a dance season, but if the instructor and Studio Director see fit, they may be invited to move up a level mid season. Please note, all dance studios use a different system for leveling classes.

See the Level and Age Guidelines for more information. 

As with any program, steady attendance is a requirement for success. Failure to meet such requirements can lead to adjustment in level.

Late Policy

Student safety is of the highest importance, students who arrive more than 15 minutes late to class, may be asked to sit and observe class. Missing warm up greatly increases the chance of a dancer getting injured during class. If your student is going to be late to class, please let us know by texting 425-224-5393 or by email to office@innovatepac.com. Being late should be avoided to not disrupt the class. 

If your student is going to miss class, a free make-up class may be scheduled if an equivalent class is available on our schedule to your student’s class. Make-up classes must be taken within one month of the missed class and scheduled ahead of time through the office. To schedule a make-up class email office@innovatepac.com for the Make-Up Class Form.

Advanced notice of 30 days for withdrawal is preferred. Official notification will be completed by a Drop Form. No tuition reimbursement will be provided.

Once dropped from a class, your spot will be released for registration and you may not be able to rejoin the class. If planning to participate in an event or performance with the class, students may not drop until after the performance. 

We put the safety of our dancers of the highest importance. Injuries are documented by teachers in our attendance logs. If a student sits out of class due to the same pain or injury for more than two weeks with no improvement, they are required to get a doctor’s note to return to dancing. 

If a student is injured, we highly recommend observing class and taking notes. Dancers can learn by observing and listening to corrections. This will also allow students to learn and retain any choreography from class. 

Innovate Performing Arts Center follows the Arlington School District for all inclement weather events. If classes are canceled due to inclement weather, a make-up class may be scheduled for your student if an equivalent class is available. 

• School is canceled: Studio is closed, all classes are canceled. 

• 2 hour late start: Studio is open, classes run normally. If it is not safe for your student to attend class, email the office to schedule a make up class, if eligible.

Holiday Observation Week

Join us for our Holiday Observation Week, December 14-19th. Parents, caretakers, and loved ones are invited into the classroom to observe classes in the studio. Important information is sent out via email prior to Holiday Observation Week. 

Company Showcase (Dance Classes) *Tiny Dancers Perform in Winter Showcase See Below

In January we hold our annual Company Showcase debuting our Company’s competition dances alongside performances by our recreational classes held at Byrnes Performing Arts Center. Students must be registered by November 1, 2026 in order to participate in the Company Showcase. 

If your student is not performing, an Opt-Out Form is due by November 1, 2026. 

There are no performance or costume fees for the Company Showcase. Students will borrow costume items from the studio and may be required to provide their own basic attire such as black leggings. Observers are required to purchase tickets to the performance, this helps to cover the fees associated with putting on a recital for our students. 

Please note, regular class attendance is mandatory to perform in the recital as students need to keep up with choreography, formations, and technique. Students with excessive absences will not be eligible to perform. Tiny Dancers do not perform in the Company Showcase, they will instead perform in the Winter Showcase. 

Winter/Spring Showcase (Acting/Singing Classes)

Our Acting and Singing classes will perform in two showcases throughout the season. A Winter Showcase in January (including the Tiny Dancers classes) and a Spring Showcase in June. Performances will be held at Byrnes Performing Arts Center.

There is no additional cost to perform. Observers are required to purchase tickets to the performance, this helps to cover the fees associated with putting on a showcase for our students. 

Spring Recital (Dance Classes)

At the end of the season we host our annual Spring Recital at Byrnes Performing Arts Center. Each performing class will learn a recital dance in class starting in February. 

If your student is not able to participate in the recital, a Spring Recital Opt-Out Form must be completed by February 1st. All students are required to purchase a costume for the Spring Recital through the studio. Each performing class will have one costume. A $25 non-refundable costume deposit per dance is due by January 11, 2027. Remaining costume fees are due February 15, 2027. Unless we receive formal notification via email, we will assume all students are participating and will be charged a deposit and remaining fees.

Costumes range in cost from $70-$90. Fees will be provided in the Spring Recital Guide provided by December 14, 2026.

There is no additional fee to perform in the Spring Recital, but observers are required to purchase tickets. This helps to cover the fees associated with putting on a recital for our students. 

Please note, regular class attendance is mandatory to perform in the recital as students need to keep up with choreography, formations, and technique. Students with excessive absences will not be eligible to perform. 

If your student is not participating in the recital, they are still able to participate in class and will learn the dance alongside the performing students in class.