1. Enrollment
    Our dance year begins the day after Labor Day (Sept. 2nd) and runs through the last week of May. The year ends with a recital involving all classes.* Class sizes are limited, and new enrollments will end on February 1st, 2026. A waitlist will form once a class reaches capacity. Dancers on the waitlist will be informed if/as space becomes available. Monroe City Dance Academy reserves the right to cancel or combine any class or level that does not have enough students enrolled to support the instructor for the class (at least 6).

    *Tiny Movers, Adult classes, and Teen Recreation classes do not participate in recital. Creative Movement and Pre-Primary Ballet/Tap combination classes will only perform a ballet piece in the recital.
  2. Studio Exclusivity Policy 
    Monroe City Dance Academy is a private dance school. To ensure the quality of our comprehensive dance program, we do not offer open classes to students who study at other studios. To maintain consistency in our students’ training, MCDA students are not allowed to train in other dance programs or at other studios outside of academic school of the arts.To avoid conflict with this policy, all outside workshops and intensives must be approved by MCDA program directors. Summer Intensives must be offered as a part of a pre-professional program and are not recommended for students younger than high school level.
  3. Level Placement/Student Assistants 
    We do our best to place students in the levels most appropriate for their ability, experience, age, and maturity levels. Our teachers are trained to watch dancers in classes and will contact the academy director if adjustments need to be made.  
    Our pre-professional level students are encouraged to help in younger classes. Teacher Assistants are placed by seniority, High School students first, then middle school. Any dancer who would like to assist with classes should fill out the Teacher Assistant Application no later than 8/20.
  4. Scholarships
    MCDA offers a limited number of scholarships to families in need. Parents may be asked to submit requested information (including tax forms) to qualify. See the front desk for more information.

    • Males: Male-bodied dancers may enroll in all ballet classes free-of-charge. There is a fee charged for all other styles of dance classes. 
    • Females: 
      A limited number of work scholarships may also be available. These scholarships require that you or your student repay class time with work at the studio (weekly janitorial work, building maintenance, etc.).
  5. Attendance 
    Consistent attendance is very important in maintaining continual growth in technique and establishing muscle strength and muscle memory. Class attendance is taken daily. Please call or email the office if your child must be absent.Students are encouraged to make up missed classes on their level or one level below. We do not refund or pro-rate tuition for missed classes.   
  6. Late Arrival/Tardiness 
    We expect our students to be prompt and ready for class. Late dancers should wait at the door quietly, without interrupting, and wait for the instructor to acknowledge them. Since a student who misses the first few class exercises runs the risk of injury by not being properly warmed up, a dancer who is more than 10 minutes late may be asked to sit and observe the class that day. 
  7. Observing Class/Injury or Illness  
    If a dancer must sit during class due to injury, the student should write down class combinations and corrections that are given by the instructor. If a dancer must sit for any reason during the class, the instructor will have them remain seated for the rest of class. This is for the safety of the dancer–if the muscles have cooled down, it is unsafe to participate in the more demanding parts of the class as the lesson progresses.If you or your dancer are running a fever or have been diagnosed with any contagious illness, please do not come to the studio. Dancers work with partners in classes, and we want to limit the spread of germs as much as possible. Dancers should be fever free for a minimum of 24 hours before coming into the studio.
  8. Tuition
    Tuition at Monroe City Dance Academy is a yearly course fee broken down into 9 monthly payments for your convenience. Please be aware that monthly tuition fee remains the same regardless of weeks in the month, academy holiday closings, or the number of absences in a month. The tuition chart can be found on our website. Tuition payments are due by the 10th of each month and can be paid with cash, check, or online in your student portal.
  9. Dress Code/Hair Rules (all ages) 
    Monroe City Dance Academy has a class uniform to encourage teamwork, focus, and discipline. All studio uniforms and dancewear are available for purchase locally at M.A.Zing Dancewear.  Female dancers should wear leotard and tights to all classes. Students may choose any leotard for summer classes, workshops, and classes with Student Choice listed for the uniform. These leotards may be any color, must fully cover the dancer’s torso, show no cleavage, and have no high cut leg lines.All students should wear clothing over their dance attire outside of the building. Dance shoes should NOT be worn outside the building as it can reduce the life of the shoes and may bring hazardous materials into the studio that can damage the floor and/or cause injuries for students.Longer hair should be neatly secured in a high, classical ballet bun. Shorter hair must be pulled back neatly from face, off the neck, and secured with elastic bands or barrettes that will not fall out. Jewelry is not allowed in any class, including necklaces, medallions, bracelets, watches, ankle bracelets and rings. Only small earrings are allowed in class. MCDA staff is not responsible for the safe return of jewelry that must be removed after the student has entered the classroom. 
    • Ballet
      Ladies should wear assigned class leotards, pink tights, and matching pink canvas ballet shoes. Shorter pull-on skirts to match the class leotard are optional.
      Gentlemen should wear fitted shirts in the assigned color, black tights/fitted pants, and matching black canvas ballet shoes. Younger boys (ages 10 and under) may wear black shorts with no pockets during the warmer months. Gentlemen in Level 6 and higher should wear a dance belt under their tights. No leg warmers or other additional clothing is allowed in class without the instructor’s permission. Dancers should speak to the instructor before class if they believe that they need to wear additional warm-ups.
    • Contemporary
      Shorts may be worn over class leotards and tights. Dancers will wear ballet flats for this class. 
    • Tap/Jazz/Hip Hop/Adults
      Dancers may add shorts, leggings, sweatpants, shirts, etc. over their leotard and tights for classes other than ballet. No hoods or hats should be worn in any dance classes unless they are part of a costume or choreography. -Tap shoes should be flat black and only worn in the dance room to reduce fall risk.
      -Jazz shoes should be black canvas.
      -Hip Hop sneakers should have a flat, light-colored sole. These shoes should not be worn outside of the studio.         
  10. Class Etiquette 
    Prior to attending class, dancers should be made aware that there is a necessary level of focus and concentration that will be required. Talking during class and rehearsal is discouraged with the occasional question welcomed and indicated by the students’ raising of their hand. Students who are disruptive to the class will be asked to sit and observe the class so that others may continue their work.    Dancers grow their technique and strength by repeating movements, therefore it is important that dancers do not miss class time. All restroom trips should be completed prior to the start of class. Parents of younger dancers who require assistance in the restroom should remain in the building in case the need arises.  
  11. Studio Rules 
    For safety reasons, no one will be allowed in classrooms without supervision by a Monroe City Dance Academy staff person. The use of classrooms for rehearsals or private lessons must be approved in advance. Only staff and students are allowed in classrooms. Parents and siblings should enter the classroom by invitation only. Our teachers are instructed to continue teaching if a parent comes to the door during class time.Children under the age of 10 should be accompanied by an adult until the instructor takes them into the classroom. Students must be picked up promptly after class as MCDA is not responsible for childcare. Children who are not in class should not be left unattended—if so, parents will be contacted.Please come into the building to pick up your student. Children are not allowed to wait outside or leave the premises until parents retrieve them. Students should wear cover-ups when arriving and leaving the studio. Parents and siblings waiting in the hallway should speak QUIETLY when talking amongst themselves. Siblings of dancers should be respectful of the students in class as well as the facility. No food or beverages are allowed in the school other than spill-proof water bottles. Please do not wear perfumes, scented lotions, laundry detergents, body sprays, etc. into the studio as they aggravate many dancers and instructors’ allergies and sinuses.  As not everyone has agreed to the photo release, there is to be no photography or videotaping of any class without permission from the instructor or school director. No dance or portion of choreography/class may be posted on any social media outlet or website without permission from the school director.
  12. Non-Harassment Policy 
    Monroe City Dance Academy believes that all people should be treated with respect and dignity. MCDA does not tolerate bullying in any form. Any student who participates in name calling, threats of verbal or physical harm, or physical or emotional intimidation or harassment will be placed on probation or may face immediate dismissal. Students and parents concerned with student conduct should immediately contact a teacher or administrative staff member.
  13. Performance/Recital 
    Our end of the season performance will take place at the Stanly Agri-Civic Center in Albemarle, NC on the weekend immediately preceding Memorial Day (May 22nd & 23rd, 2026). Dancers and their families should be aware that the performance is on a holiday weekend and should plan trips accordingly. The week leading up to recital will have scheduled rehearsals at the performance venue. If your dancer will not be able to participate in the performance, please let the office know in writing no later than the second week of January. Recital costumes will be ordered at this time, and if the director is not made aware of any conflicts, you will be responsible for the cost of the costume. Recital Dances are taught and rehearsed during class. We begin work on our recital choreography in February, and a great deal of rehearsal is done during the last few weeks prior to recital time. Attendance in class for the two weeks prior to MCDA’s recitals/performances is required to ensure your child a place in the dance. We cannot teach dances during rehearsals, so it is important that you are there during class time. Performance Fees
    • Participation Fee: $50 per dancer, limit of $150 per family, due no later than April 1st.  
    • Costume Deposit: $25/$50 installment due November 1 (See Registration form for more details) 
    • Costume balance due February
  14. Studio Closings
    Monroe City Dance Academy values the safety of our dance families. The school will be closed for any inclement weather as necessary. Decisions about closings are made by the director and staff members. Updates will be posted to our website, social media, through email, and via our student portals.  
    Our school loves to celebrate holidays with family and friends. We follow our local public school calendar for major holiday closings. We do not close for teacher workdays, or any holidays not listed below.

    • Thanksgiving—November 26-28 
    • Christmas—December 21-Jan 3 
    • Easter Break—April 6-10 

    As many of our staff and students are involved with Union County Youth Ballet, the class schedule for the week of their performance(s) may be minorly adjusted. 

Policy updated and effective as of July 30th, 2025