Our ballet dress code is designed to create a sense of unity and discipline in the classroom. By wearing similar attire, students can focus more on their movements and less on distractions. The ballet-specific clothing allows instructors to easily observe alignment and technique, which is crucial for helping dancers improve. Plus, similar attire creates a team-like feeling and often boosts confidence and a sense of belonging among young dancers.

ALL STUDENTS

No jewelry of any kind except small stud or hoop piercings. No watches. Eyeglasses are not permitted in Ballet 2 and up for safety reasons.
Warm ups are not permitted in technique class. Form fitting warm ups are allowed for conditioning and stretch classes.

Leotard Guidelines: Leotards cannot have zippers, patterns, excessive cut-outs, mesh, or any sharp adornments (rhinestones, studs, etc). On birthdays or in their birthday week, students may wear their favorite solid color leotard. The rest of the dress code requirements still stand.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT/PRE-BALLET

Students are required to wear form-fitting, movable clothing, and their hair should be tied up and away from their face (in a bun, ponytail, etc.). While there are no specific uniforms or hairstyles required at this level, note that if your child wishes to continue in the program, they will be expected to wear uniforms starting with Ballet 1.

BALLET 1/BALLET 2

Ladies

Solid black leotard. Pink or flesh-tone tights with matching ballet slippers.
Convertible tights are acceptable, but ankles and feet must be fully covered. Tights must be in presentable condition (no rips).
Hair must be in a neat bun. If your child has bangs or short hair, it must be pinned back. Small hair accessories are permitted (ex: flowers, headbands, bows, scrunchies, etc.).
Blue leotards are only allowed on Saturdays. No skirts. Please see above for leotard guidelines.

Gentleman

Socks must be worn with footless tights or bike shorts.
White T-shirts must be tucked into tights. T-shirts with logos are not permitted.
Black ballet slippers with white socks. Blue shirts are allowed on Saturdays.

BALLET 3

Ladies

Any colored leotard is acceptable, please see above for leotard guidelines. Skirts are permitted in center, pointe, variations, and rehearsals. Pink or flesh-tone tights with matching ballet slippers.
Convertible tights are acceptable, but ankles and feet must be fully covered. Tights must be in presentable condition (no rips).
Hair must be in a neat bun. If you have bangs or short hair, it must be pinned back. Small hair accessories are permitted (ex: flowers, headbands, bows, scrunchies, etc).

Gentleman

Any color of form fitting shirt or tights is acceptable. Socks must be worn with footless tights or bike shorts.
Dance belts must be worn under all tights and shorts.
May wear black or white ballet slippers, with corresponding white or black socks.
No facial hair.

RESPECT & CONDUCT
WABA promotes a respectful and supportive environment. Any form of bullying or disrespect towards peers or teachers will not be tolerated.

Make space, take space. Students are expected to participate in classroom exercises and discussions while being mindful of others around them, and allowing everyone the space to participate, grow and learn.
Good days and Bad days. Ballet is both a challenging art form and sport. Your child will receive constant encouragement and support. However, as with any discipline, they will inevitably experience good days and bad days. We strongly urge families to regularly check in with their children and maintain a supportive and encouraging attitude.
Treat others as you would like to be treated. In the classroom or rehearsal room, all students, staff, and parents are expected to conduct themselves with kindness and respect.

STUDENT ETIQUETTE
Students are expected to behave appropriately and adhere to all WABA policies at all times. We trust our students to represent WABA at its best, meaning all faculty, staff, peers, and studio space are to be treated with respect. This includes:
No talking during class
No inappropriate talk in the dressing rooms or hallways
No food or drink (except water bottles) in the studios
Respect others’ personal belongings
Picking up and throwing away any leftover food or trash
Personal items should be brought into class — WABA is not responsible for any lost or stolen items

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Students should arrive wearing their dance attire and will be greeted by a WABA representative at the studio entrance. All students must wear cover-ups and street shoes when arriving and departing the building. Bathrooms are available and will be open but dancers are not encouraged to use the stalls as changing areas.

ATTENDANCE
It is of utmost importance to understand that regular attendance in class plays a pivotal role in ensuring consistent progress and development in ballet training. By maintaining a constant presence, you can stay updated with the course content, actively participate in class discussions, and grasp the complexities of the subject matter more effectively. Therefore, a steady commitment to attending class is crucial for a healthy and comprehensive understanding of the material being taught.
If students exceeds more than ten absences per term, students may be subject to level reassignment for the remainder of the term.

TARDINESS
Students who arrive more than 10 minutes after class has started will be asked to sit and observe the class. Warming up at the beginning of class is essential for injury prevention.
If a student is late, they should wait at the door of the studio until the teacher invites them in. If a student is observing class for any reason, they are permitted to be in warm-ups.
If you know ahead of time that your student will be tardy or absent, please email info@washingtonballetacademy.org or reach out via the BAND app with a note about the tardiness as soon as you are able.

PUNCTUALITY
Students should arrive at least 15 minutes before class to prepare and warm up. Latecomers may be denied entry as it disrupts the class and can lead to injuries if proper warm-up is missed.

Payments can be made by visiting washingtonballetacademy.org with a credit or debit card; cash or check will not be accepted.

Based on your tuition payment schedule (either by full-term payment or month-to-month), your payment must be completed by the first Monday of the term. Refunds will not be provided for missed classes.
A discount will be applied to full-term tuition payments.

LATE FEES
Late fees will be applied to any tuition payments that are not received by the second Monday of the month. If you are paying for term tuition in full your invoice needs to be payed by the first day of classes. If you full term tuition payment is not completed by the first day of classes you forfeit your discount and will have to pay month to month for the remainder of the term. if you have any questions about tuition or payments please reach out to us at info@washingtonballetacademt.org, please do not approach instructors during or between class times about payments.

REFUNDS / CREDITS
Tuition is non-refundable.
Credits toward future enrollment are issued provided notification in writing is made during the first three weeks of the program.
Credit requests should be submitted via e-mail.

WEATHER CLASS CANCELLATIONS
Announcements will be posted on our social medias and in the parent BAND app.
In case an emergency closing is needed, an announcement for classes will be made by 1:30pm.

Sibling Discount - We are pleased to offer a 10% tuition discount for any younger sibling of an enrolled student. This is our way of supporting families and encouraging all young dancers in their creative journeys.

Full term tuition payment - Families who choose to pay full term tuition upfront will receive a 10% discount as a thank-you for your commitment. Additionally, we offer inquiring options for cash discounts for both monthly and full term payments, so please feel free to reach out for more information.

Adopt a dancer program - We are excited to offer limited "Adopt a Dancer" scholarships, which will cover half of a dancer’s monthly tuition. To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must submit a 100-word essay describing what dance means to them. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to express their passion and love for dance while helping to make ballet more accessible. Please note that these scholarships are limited, so we encourage interested families to apply soon. For any questions or further information, feel free to reach out to us through the email below.

info@washingtonballetacademy.org

Our ballet school strives to provide exciting performance opportunities for all students, with every dancer automatically cast in our productions upon registration. This inclusive approach ensures that every child experiences the joy of performing. For those in level one and above who desire more, we offer auditions for additional roles. We believe that the audition process is a valuable experience, helping to prepare our students for real-world situations. Importantly, every student who auditions will receive a role, ensuring they gain both experience and confidence on stage.

If your student prefers not to participate in the performance, please inform the faculty by the end of the first month of the term. This allows us to make the necessary adjustments to ensure every student's experience aligns with their comfort and preferences.