Monthly tuition reserves your dancer’s place in class and is the same each month throughout the Dance Season. Rather than being based on the number of classes in a particular month, tuition is divided evenly across the season.

Tuition is not adjusted for missed classes, vacations, holidays, studio closures, snow days, photo days, rehearsals, or performances.

If SDA must cancel a regularly scheduled class because an instructor is unavailable and a substitute cannot be found, dancers will receive a makeup token to use in another eligible class.

Tuition is automatically charged to the card on file on the 1st of each month.

If a payment fails, families have 7 days to update their billing information and settle the balance. After 7 days, a $15 late fee will be added to the account.

If tuition fails for three consecutive months, a $15 late fee will automatically be applied beginning with the third failed payment and each month thereafter that payment fails.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

We want new families to feel confident choosing SDA. If, after your dancer’s first class, you decide SDA isn’t the right fit, we’ll refund 100% of your first month’s tuition.

If you choose to withdraw later during your first four consecutive weeks of classes, we’ll refund the unused portion of your tuition.

During the Summer Term, the Happiness Guarantee applies to the first class only.

To qualify:

• Your dancer must attend their first scheduled class.

• The guarantee applies only to families brand new to SDA.

• Refunds are available for a complete withdrawal from SDA, not for class or style transfers.

• Purchases made separately from tuition, such as apparel, are non-refundable.

During the Dance Season, your monthly payment includes more than dance classes. Instead of asking families to make several large purchases throughout the year, many of the costs associated with recital are spread across our 10-month season.

For each performing class, inclusive tuition includes a recital costume, one recital ticket, a photo session with Liana Robin Photography, and a few surprises along the way.

If a class is dropped before an inclusion has been received, that inclusion is forfeited.

Dancers joining after September will be charged a one-time Inclusions Catch-Up Fee based on the number of months missed and the program of their class. The rate is $16–$22 per missed month. This applies only to performing classes; tech classes do not have an inclusions catch-up fee.

Questions about tuition, billing, or your account should be directed to our office staff. This allows instructors to keep their focus on teaching and supporting dancers during class time.

Tuition is not refunded or credited for missed classes or when a dancer withdraws partway through a month. Please see Enrollment Procedures for information about ending enrollment.

Consistent attendance is important for each dancer’s individual growth and for the progress of the class as a whole.

If your dancer will miss class, please let our office know at hello@sherwooddance.com. Makeup tokens are available for eligible missed classes according to our Makeup Policy.

Please make every effort to arrive on time and ready for class. Warmup is an important part of preparing a dancer’s body to move safely.

If a dancer arrives more than 10 minutes late, the instructor may ask them to sit out and use a makeup token for another class rather than participate without a proper warmup.

During the Dance Season, and especially as we get closer to recital, consistent attendance is important. Choreography is created for the dancers in each class, and when someone misses multiple classes, it can affect both their own preparation and the class as a whole.

Dancers will be placed on Choreography Probation if they miss 3 or more classes between March and Recital Day or 2 or more consecutive classes.

If your dancer is placed on Choreography Probation, we will connect you with their instructor to determine what is needed for them to be prepared to perform. Depending on how much choreography was missed, this may include a private lesson at an additional cost or adjusting/removing portions of choreography the dancer has not had adequate time to learn.

Whenever possible, we ask families to avoid vacations or extended absences during May and June through Recital Day, when classes are in their final weeks of preparation.

Please make sure your dancer arrives on time and is picked up promptly after class.

If you know you will be late for pickup, call our office as soon as possible at 503-625-8868.

Dancers waiting to be picked up downstairs should remain inside the building until they see their grownup. Our parking lot can be especially busy during class transitions, so please use extra care during drop-off and pickup.

SDA instructors and staff are not responsible for dancers before or after their scheduled class time.

Each dance style has its own dress code. Please review our Dress Code for the clothing, shoes, and hair requirements for your dancer’s class.

Instructors may occasionally have additional requests specific to their class. Bra tops may not be worn as a shirt in any SDA class.

Class time is an opportunity to learn, move, and give our full attention to one another. We ask dancers to use the restroom before class whenever possible to help minimize interruptions.

Cell phones should remain out of sight and on silent for the entire class. If a dancer brings a phone into the studio, it should stay inside their bag or purse until class is over.

Every dancer deserves a classroom where they can learn and feel respected. Dancers are expected to treat their classmates, instructors, and others at SDA with kindness and respect.

Behavior that repeatedly disrupts the learning environment will be addressed by the instructor and, when needed, with the dancer’s family. Bullying and violence are not permitted at SDA.

A dancer may be removed from class when their behavior prevents the class from continuing safely or productively. Tuition refunds or credits are not provided for classes missed due to a dancer being removed for behavior.