Fees & Policies
North State Ballet is committed to providing clear, consistent policies that support a safe, professional, and well-organized learning environment. Please review the following information carefully before enrolling.
Registration Fee
An annual $45 registration fee is required prior to the start of fall classes and must be paid in order to register and reserve a student’s place in class.
Registration fees are non-refundable.
If a student withdraws from classes during the school year and later re-enrolls, a new registration fee will be required at the time of re-enrollment.
Placement Class Fee
Placement class fees apply to Classical Program students only and are due prior to the scheduled placement class.
45-minute class: $15
60-minute class: $20
75-minute class: $25
90-minute class: $30
Placement decisions are made by North State Ballet faculty based on the student’s demonstrated readiness and training needs. Placement class fees are non-refundable.
Outstanding Balances & Returned Checks
A $15 late fee will be applied to late payments, including declined credit card transactions.
A $30 fee will be charged for all returned checks.
Multiple-Child Discount
Families with more than one child enrolled at North State Ballet receive the following monthly tuition discounts (applies to students within the same immediate family):
Second child: 10% discount
Third and each additional child: 15% discount
Studio Rental
North State Ballet studios may be available for rental on a first-come, first-served basis and at the discretion of NSB directors.
Studio rental rates begin at $150 per hour, per studio, with final pricing determined by the nature and intended use of the space. A signed rental agreement is also required.
Private Lessons
Private instruction is available by request on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to instructor and studio availability.
When choreography or instruction is featured publicly or on social media, appropriate recognition of the instructor or choreographer must be provided.
Private Lesson Rates
Directors
NSB student: $90/hour
Non-NSB student: $180/hour
Instructors
NSB student: $70/hour
Non-NSB student: $140/hour
Instructor/Director fees are paid directly to the teacher (must be cash or check).
In addition, the following studio rental fees are paid to North State Ballet (can be cash, check, or applied to account along with a $3 processing fee):
NSB student: $10/hour
Non-NSB student: $25/hour
Enrollment & Payment Schedule
Enrollment is continuous from the Fall Session through the Spring Session unless a student is formally withdrawn.
Summer enrollment is separate and must be completed by the parent or guardian for each applicable summer session.
If a student withdraws during a semester, the front desk must be notified in writing by email. Tuition that has already been charged will not be refunded or credited, regardless of the date of withdrawal.
North State Ballet maintains a no-refund policy and does not prorate tuition for missed classes.
In the rare event that a refund is approved by the directors on a case-by-case basis, a minimum $3 processing fee will apply.
Students may not participate in scheduled classes while tuition or other required fees are overdue.
Summer classes are an exception to the regular monthly tuition schedule, as they are charged by session. Payment is due on the first day of the student’s summer class or session unless otherwise stated.
Tuition
Tuition is based on the total number of training hours taken each week. Each program and level may have a minimum number of required weekly hours (see here for Classical Program student requirements).
Students may also choose to enroll in additional classes including lyrical, jazz, contemporary, tap, hip hop, and other supplemental styles when available.
Tuition is paid monthly and is non-refundable once charged.
To participate in the annual Student Showcase, dancers must be enrolled in the participating class for a minimum of eight weeks, or at the discretion of the directors.
A limited amount of financial assistance may be available. Please contact the front desk for additional information.
Students enrolled in the Accelerated Training Program (ATP) should anticipate additional program-related expenses throughout the year that are not included in regular tuition.
Uniform Costs
Students are expected to follow the dress code for their assigned program and level in order to participate fully in class.
Families are responsible for the cost of all required dancewear and supplies, which may include:
Level-specific leotards
Tights
Ballet shoes
Pointe shoes and pointe accessories
Hair supplies
Required specialty shoes or dancewear
Classical Program and Children’s Program uniform leotards should be ordered through Dance Away in downtown Chico, as applicable to the student’s assigned level.
Level Placement & Promotion
Children’s and Recreational/Open Programs
Students typically advance to the next level at the beginning of the fall session.
Placement within the Children’s Program is determined according to the student’s age as of October 1 for that school year, along with any additional developmental or instructional considerations.
Classical Program
Classical Program advancement is determined for the fall session by North State Ballet faculty following placement evaluation auditions.
Placement reflects a student’s technical readiness, physical development, consistency, attendance, work ethic, and overall training needs.
Any placement communicated at the end of the school year is based on the expectation that the student will continue training during the summer. Because dancers who do not train over the summer may lose strength, conditioning, and technical consistency, fall placement may be adjusted when necessary.
All Classical Program placement decisions are made by North State Ballet’s artistic administration and are considered final.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up
To maintain appropriate supervision and studio operations, students may arrive no more than 15 minutes before their first class and should be picked up within 15 minutes after their final class of the day.
Families requiring supervision outside of this 15-minute window will be charged $1 per minute, which will be added to the family account and collected during the next tuition cycle.
Safety Policies
The safety of our dancers is always a priority.
North State Ballet may cancel classes when conditions make travel or participation unsafe, including severe weather, health or safety concerns, school closures, government directives, or circumstances beyond the studio’s control. Tuition is not prorated, refunded, or credited for these cancellations.
Students under age 10 must be escorted to and from the building by a parent or adult caregiver and may not be left unattended outside of scheduled class time.
Parents or caregivers of students enrolled in the Children’s Program, ages 7 and under, are strongly encouraged to remain at the studio during class whenever possible.
Strollers are not permitted in the studio lobby due to limited space and pedestrian traffic.
Students may leave the studio only with a parent, guardian, or another authorized adult. Written parental permission is required for alternate pick-up arrangements.
Street shoes must be worn outside. Dance shoes may not be worn outdoors.
Students waiting for pick-up must remain inside the building and may not wait outdoors or at the curb.
When students of different genders are changing or participating in situations requiring additional privacy considerations, appropriate viewing and supervision procedures will be maintained.
Attendance & Tardiness
Regular attendance is essential to safe and consistent progress.
Students arriving approximately 10–15 minutes late may be asked not to participate in class at the instructor’s discretion. This is primarily a safety consideration, as the dancer may have missed necessary warm-up exercises.
Classical Program students who arrive too late to participate may be asked to remain in the classroom and observe or take notes on that day’s lesson.
For Classical Program students, three or more tardies or absences within a three-month session may require a meeting with a member of the artistic administration before the student may continue in the program.
Make-Up Classes
When a student is unable to attend a regularly scheduled class, a make-up class may be available in the same level or an approved lower-level class within the same semester.
The following conditions apply:
The front office and class instructor must be notified before the missed class begins in order for the absence to qualify for a make-up.
Make-up classes must be completed during the same session or semester in which the absence occurred.
Make-up classes do not carry over into future sessions.
Make-up availability is subject to class size, level appropriateness, and instructor approval.
Dress Code Compliance
Students must follow the complete dress code for their assigned program and level in order to participate in class. Dress codes are outlined on each of the Programs tabs.
When a required uniform leotard has been ordered but has not yet arrived, students may wear a plain black leotard unless otherwise directed.
Outside Competition Teams & Performances
North State Ballet maintains a firm policy regarding participation on competition teams at other nearby studios.
Students enrolled in either the Academy or Trainee Division of the Classical Program may not actively participate on a competition team at another studio located within 25 miles of North State Ballet.
This restriction does not apply to students enrolled in the Children’s Program or Recreational/Open Program.
Students are permitted to participate in outside performances and productions, so long as rehearsals and performances do not interfere with classes required for their level.
Account Standing
Student accounts must remain current in order for dancers to participate in classes and programs.
If an account becomes overdue:
The student may be suspended from required classes.
The student may be withdrawn from non-required or elective classes.
Class placement will not necessarily be held during the suspension.
Re-entry is dependent upon the account becoming current, available class space, and instructor or administrative approval.
Student Conduct
Students are expected to follow North State Ballet policies, classroom expectations, and standards of respectful behavior.
Parents and students within the Classical Program must sign an annual Student Contract in order to participate in classes.
When concerns arise, instructors will generally begin with direct redirection and communication. Continued concerns may result in probation, suspension, removal from performances or programs, or dismissal from North State Ballet at the discretion of the directors.
Certain serious circumstances may warrant immediate suspension or dismissal without a probationary period.
North State Ballet reserves the right to refuse or discontinue enrollment when necessary to protect the safety, integrity, or appropriate operation of the school.
Lobby & Studio Etiquette
To help maintain a calm and respectful environment:
Please limit cell phone use in the lobby. Phone calls should be taken outside whenever possible.
During severe weather or other circumstances when stepping outside is impractical, please keep conversations brief and quiet.
Electronic games, tablets, and similar devices must remain completely silent. Earbuds or headphones are strongly recommended.
Only dance shoes are permitted on studio floors.
Photography and video recording during class are not permitted unless specifically authorized by North State Ballet.