Attendance & Payment Policies

DSA Attendance & Make-up Policy

Private Students are expected to attend each scheduled lesson within the year. There will be only four make-up lessons allowed per school year (Aug - May). The teacher should have at least 36 hours notice for non-emergencies for you to be eligible for a make-up lesson. Please contact your teacher as soon as possible if you are unable to get to your lesson due to illness or other unavoidable situations. Dance students may attend another class of the appropriate age and skill level. Classes will be held on Monday holidays unless indicated on the DSA School Calendar.

DSA Payment Policy

Once your child has been registered for one of our classes/lessons, we consider that an agreement that you are planning to attend for the entire duration of your chosen program (6 weeks, 12 weeks, eight, or nine-month). We have developed a convenient payment schedule to accommodate both electronic payments and cash/checks.

Credit Card Payments:
Course Registration and payment of the Registration Fee and first-month tuition are expected when classes/lessons start. A non-refundable Registration Fee is payable upon registration and will be billed annually (each school year). We offer monthly credit card tuition payments. Course Registration including input of your credit card information will be done solely online by you. Your credit card will automatically be billed on or around the 10th of the month. You may access the online payment from www.dbc.org/dsa as well as from your parent/student portal.

Cash/Check Payments:
Course Registration and payment of the Registration Fee and first-month tuition are expected when classes/lessons start. A non-refundable Registration Fee is payable upon registration and will be billed annually (each school year). When paying with cash or by check you must pay for the full session completely. We do not accept monthly payments for cash/check payers. A fee of $25 will be assessed for any checks that are returned as non-sufficient funds. If other payment arrangements are needed they must be made through the DSA office on a case-by-case basis.

DSA Withdrawal Policy

If you desire to withdraw from DSA, you must make your request in written form to your teacher and to the DSA Director, Clanaé Tarrance at . Your monthly billing date is the 10th of each month, so if your withdrawal notice is given before the 10th of the month, then we will prorate that month’s tuition based on the student's class attendance. If the withdrawal occurs after the billing date, then you will be held responsible to pay the full month’s tuition. Refunds will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Registration fees, Dance Costume fees, Performing Arts Costume/Prop Fees, Visual Arts Supply Fees, and/or class material fees will not be refunded.

DSA Photo/Video Policy & Release

As you know when students work on lessons and participate in special events, we often have many great photo/video opportunities. We would like your permission to use photographs/videos taken during class time, special events, or celebrations to post internally in classrooms, hallways, for teacher education, and as a historical record.

Also, DSA promotes our school on our website, using color brochures and other types of promotional materials. When photographs/videos are used for promotional purposes, students are never identified by name. All photos used for promos will be available for the student or the student's parents to review upon request.

In addition, students and parents reserve the right to request that any photography/video not be used for promotional purposes. Please send a written notice of your dissent to the DSA Director, Clanaé Tarrance at . Otherwise, it will be understood that as a student or a parent/guardian of a student, you hereby consent to the use of photographs/videotape taken during the course of the school year for promotional and/or educational purposes (including publications, presentation or broadcast via newspaper, our DSA website or other media sources). Moreover, you do this with full knowledge and consent as well as waive all claims for compensation for use, or for damages.

DSA Weather Policy

Dunwoody School for the Arts prioritizes the safety, health, and well-being of everyone on campus. If the local weather produces a threat or the local School District closes schools due to inclement weather, Dunwoody School for the Arts will also close its facility.

Decision-Making Process:
The school administration, in collaboration with local weather authorities and transportation officials, will monitor weather conditions. The decision to close school will be made by the Head of School or designee, considering factors such as:

  • Road conditions and safety
  • Weather forecasts and warnings
  • Building and facility conditions
  • Impact on Instructor and student commutes
  • Closure decisions will be made by 6:00 AM on the day of inclement weather, whenever possible.

Closure Notifications:
Parents and staff will be notified through:

  • Automated email alerts
  • DSA website and social media updates
  • Local news and media outlets (if possible)

Notifications will include:

  • Closure status (full-day, half-day, or delayed start)
  • Reason for closure (e.g., snow, ice, flooding)
  • Information on makeup days or rescheduled events

Closure Types:

  • Full-Day Closure: DSA is closed for the entire day.
  • Half-Day Closure: DSA is closed for half the day.
  • Early Dismissal: Lessons/Classes ending early due to deteriorating weather conditions.

Make-up Lessons/Classes:
In the event of a closure, students will receive either a make-up lesson or a one lesson/class fee waiver, depending on the instructor's discretion and availability. The instructor will follow up with students to discuss plans. Exceptions to make-ups will include the following:

  • With the direction of DSA Director & Instructor, private make-up lessons may be added to the end of the school year or inserted into existing breaks.
  • Students attending a group class will receive a credit for any cancelled classes.

Communication:
Questions or concerns about the inclement weather policy should be directed to the DSA Director, Clanaé Tarrance ( ). 

Note: Updates and information will be shared through the school's communication channels. This policy will be reviewed annually and revised as necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of our school community.

 

DSA & COVID-19:

At Dunwoody School for the Arts (DSA), we are taking proactive steps to safely re-open our facilities for our students, their families, and our staff.  With that in mind, DSA will take the necessary precautions for the safety of its facilities, staff, students, and visitors and we ask that all staff and attendees join us in this effort. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (online resources: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus), there are steps that you can take to protect yourself and others. The CDC, the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Georgia Department of Health all advise:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer. 
  • Clean and disinfect your home, as usual, using regular household cleaning sprays or wipes.
  • Avoid touching your face.
  • Stay home if you are sick or are experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms listed. Please stay home if anyone in your home is sick or exhibiting any of the symptoms listed.

Please click here to learn more about our health and safety precautions, policies, and procedures.