Have questions? You've come to the right place. 

Weather and Holidays

How do we know if the school is closed due to inclement weather?

Often, when Iowa City School District cancels for extreme cold or dangerous road conditions, so does our school. When the weather is expected to improve substantially mid-day, we will evaluate the viability of holding evening classes and make an announcement by 2:00 pm. All class cancellations will be announced in the banner across the top of our website.

Class was canceled due to inclement weather. Will there be a make-up class scheduled in the future?

Our staff will endeavor to offer a make-up class for any class canceled due to inclement weather. Enrolled students/primary contacts will receive an email about make-up options following class cancellation. 

My class is scheduled to occur on a federal holiday. Is there class?

Any federal holiday when the University of Iowa is closed, we close too. On these days there are no classes scheduled. Scheduled no class days are listed on our schedule and enrollment form. 

Makeups

My child has to miss a class. Is it okay for them to make it up in another class or another day of the week?

Conflicts like this one are not uncommon. For this reason, we allow make-up classes up to two times per child per semester (once during the shorter summer session) for each weekly class. Advance approval from the UIYB office is required.

Reach out to DNC-CommunityDance@uiowa.edu so a staff member can offer options or approve a make-up class. This step is important so our office can inform the instructors to expect an additional student. 

I'm an adult and I have to miss a class. Is it okay for me to do a make-up?

For adults looking for a make-up class, beginning-level classes of any duration (see our schedule PDF) are great options. Make-ups are allowed two times per person per semester (once during the shorter summer session) for each weekly class. Makeups may occur in advance of the date of absence. Advance approval from the UIYB office is required.

Reach out to DNC-CommunityDance@uiowa.edu so a staff member can offer options or approve a make-up class. This step is important so our office can inform the instructors to expect an additional student. 

How do I report an absence and why is it important to notify you if my child will not be in class?

To report an absence, please email the office. For an absence to be considered excused, we must be notified in advance of the absence. Only excused absences can be made up. If your child is injured and will miss a prolonged series of classes, please contact the school by email (DNC-CommunityDance@uiowa.edu) so we can let the appropriate staff know.

Tuition and Enrollment

How does tuition work?

Our weekly schedule has changed. Can I switch classes?

Students may switch from one class section to another (i.e. from a Monday to a Thursday class) during the first two weeks of a semester (or during the first week of a shorter summer term) only if space is still available in the new class.  Please email to request a switch.

My child is running late for their class. What is the tardiness policy?

If your child is more than 10 minutes late for class, they may be asked to observe the remainder of the class. 

What is the refund policy?

Students may request a refund for any remaining classes until the second Saturday of the semester (or the first Saturday of the shorter summer term).

New students are welcomed to our school every semester during Bring a Friend Week, so watch out for that event. This is a great way to attend a class that you are curious about prior to registering. 

I was told to sign up for a placement class for my child. What is a placement class and why is it necessary?

Whenever a new family inquires about our program, starting at age 9, they are required to pay for a placement class to receive a formal level recommendation. This ensures that the administrative team can work with the instructor to fairly apply our school’s guidelines and age policies. 

May I stay and observe my child's classes?

We offer two annual family observation weeks when family and friends are invited into the classroom to observe our students' progress. Outside of these special weeks, parents and siblings should remain outside of the classroom. The presence of adults other than the teacher(s) takes attention away from their teacher's instruction.

The only exception to this rule is for Wee Dance, where 2- and 3-year-old students are accompanied by one parent or guardian during class time.

I'm a student at the UI and I would like to join a beginning ballet course. What differentiates classes in the Community Dance School from classes through the university?

The University of Iowa Department of Dance offers classes for non-majors such as Beginning Ballet and Continuing Ballet. As university courses, they are for-credit and graded. They typically meet twice per week and typically have some requirements for participation such as papers, concert attendance, or examinations.

Classes in the UIYB and Community Dance School are housed in the department of dance but administered separately by the department. Community classes are not for credit and don't count toward a university degree. They meet once a week and welcome students to take class on an ongoing basis. 

For example, we typically encourage students to take Adult Absolute Beginner Ballet for three semesters before moving to Adult Continuing Beginner Ballet. In Adult Continuing Beginner Ballet, some students have been in consistent attendance for a decade, enjoying making dance class a regular practice in their life. Students wishing to dance multiple times per week are welcome and encouraged to enroll in multiple classes in the UIYB and Community Dance School.

To register for classes with the UI Youth Ballet and Community Dance School, use our Enroll page to submit a form during our open enrollment period. 

Is there a performance?

Elementary students ages 6+ in Pre-Ballet, Creative Movement 3, and ballet levels 1A-2B can sign up to rehearse and perform in our annual Spring Concert each May. Rehearsals take place after regular class times during the second half of the spring semester. Youth Ballet Ensemble members in Levels 3-5 perform featured roles in the Spring Concert and have additional performance opportunities throughout the year.

What fees should I expect?

• Tuition is due at the beginning of each semester. Payment plans may be available for those enrolled in multiple weekly classes.
• A registration fee is due at the time of enrollment.
• Cost of dance attire that aligns with our dress code (purchased from outside retailers).
• Tuition for elementary and youth participation in the annual Spring Concert, Winter Showcase, and/or Ensemble (optional).

What is a registration fee and why is it on my enrollment form?

The registration fee on the enrollment form contributes to the payroll expenses of the administrative staff for our non-profit school. For this reason, the enrollment fee is non-refundable, regardless of student attendance. 

What questions do you have?

Reach out to DNC-CommunityDance@uiowa.edu and help us build this page.