First City Dance Center
Handbook & Policies
September 8, 2026-May 15, 2027
Welcome to First City Dance Center!
We are honored that you have chosen to spend part of your family's year with us. Whether this is your dancer's first class or their tenth season, our goal is to provide a positive, encouraging environment where students can grow in confidence, technique, character, and artistry.
Dance teaches far more than steps. Through challenges, achievements, friendships, performances, and teamwork, dancers develop skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
We look forward to an incredible season together.
Our Vision
To develop confident, capable individuals who carry the lessons of dance—discipline, creativity, leadership, and resilience—into every area of their lives.
First City Dance Center strives to be more than a studio; we are a place where dancers grow into strong individuals who can walk into any room, express themselves with confidence, support others, and thrive wherever life takes them.
Our Core Values
These values guide our teaching, our culture, and our expectations for students and staff.
Community
We create a welcoming dance home where every student and family feels they belong.
Confidence
We empower dancers to believe in themselves and approach challenges with courage.
Kindness
Respect, empathy, and encouragement guide how we treat one another.
Hard Work
We value discipline, dedication, and perseverance.
Leadership
We develop dancers who lead by example through responsibility and integrity.
Growth
Every dancer is encouraged to continually improve and challenge themselves.
Resilience
Mistakes are part of learning. We teach dancers to keep moving forward and embrace challenges.
Teamwork
Dance is stronger together. We foster collaboration, encouragement, and shared success.
New to First City Dance Center?
Start Here
Enable notifications so you don't miss important announcements.
2. Log Into Your Parent Portal (accessible in the FCDC App or Online)
Use the Parent Portal to:
Register for classes and events
Report absences
Schedule makeup classes
Manage payments
Submit drop requests
View schedules and account information
3. Review the Dress Code
Proper dancewear helps instructors provide safe and effective instruction.
4. Add Important Dates to Your Calendar
Performance and studio deadlines arrive quickly.
5. Stay Connected
Watch your email and app notifications for important updates throughout the season.
Important Dates
August 26: Back to Dance Bash 5-7pm
September 8: First Day of Classes
September 12: Nutcracker Auditions
November 7: Nutcracker Tickets On Sale
November 11: Veteran’s Day Parade
November 23-28: No Class/Thanksgiving Break
December 6: Nutcracker Ball
December 12-13: The Nutcracker
December 14-January 2: No Class/Holiday Break
January 4: Classes Resume
March 15-20: No Class/Spring Break
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day Parade
May 15: Last Day of Classes
Recital, Dress Rehearsal, and Photo dates will be announced as soon as they are approved by the school. Recital is typically the first weekend in May.
Enrollment & Class Placement
Enrollment is offered on a first-come, first-served basis until classes reach capacity.
Students must meet the minimum age requirement for a class by August 31 unless otherwise stated.
Placement is based on age, experience, technical development, instructor recommendation, and class availability.
The director has final authority regarding class placement and advancement.
Classes may be added, combined, rescheduled, or canceled based on enrollment needs.
Tuition & Payment Policy
Tuition for the dance season is divided into installments for convenience. The first installment is due at registration, with remaining installments automatically charged on the 1st or 15th of each month based on the payment schedule selected during registration. The final installment is due in April.
A non-refundable annual registration fee of $55 per family is due at the time of registration.
Families wishing to pay by cash or check may do so in the office prior to their selected payment date to avoid an automatic charge to the card on file.
Enrollment is for the full dance season and is not month-to-month.
Families enrolling after the start of the season will have a different installment schedule. Contact the studio for the most up-to-date tuition quote.
A valid payment method must remain on file at all times.
Tuition reserves a dancer's place in class and is not based solely on attendance. Tuition remains due regardless of absences, holidays, weather closures, or personal scheduling conflicts.
All tuition and fees are non-refundable.
Drop Request Policy
Families may submit a drop request through the Parent Portal.
A minimum of 15 days' notice is required before the requested drop date.
Drop requests submitted with less than 15 days' notice may result in additional tuition charges.
Tuition is not prorated, refunded, or credited for partial months.
All tuition and fees due through the effective drop date remain the responsibility of the family.
Verbal notice, text messages, emails, or informing an instructor do not constitute an official drop request.
Attendance & Makeup Classes
Regular attendance is essential for student growth, class continuity, and recital preparation.
Absences should be reported through the Parent Portal. Due to the volume of communications received, absence notifications sent by email or text may not receive a reply; however, the absence will be noted in the student's record.
An automated email will be sent whenever a student is marked absent from class.
Makeup classes may be scheduled through the Parent Portal in any class for their age group.
Excessive absences, especially during recital season, may affect a dancer's participation in performances.
Communication
The FCDC App and email are our primary methods of communication.
Families are responsible for keeping contact information current and reviewing communications regularly.
FCDC App
The FCDC App is an important tool for managing your dance season. Through the app, families can access the Parent Portal to:
View schedules
Report absences
Schedule makeup classes
Register for classes and events
Manage payments
Submit drop requests
Receive studio announcements and notifications
We strongly encourage all families to download the app and enable notifications.
The FCDC App is required for recital check-in and check-out. Families will use their student's QR code within the app to check dancers in and out during recital.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up
The studio opens 10 minutes before the first class of the day.
Students should arrive dressed and ready for class.
Children under age 12 must be picked up inside the studio.
Students may not wait outside before or after class.
Please arrive promptly at the end of class.
Waiting Room Expectations
To help create a positive experience for all students and families:
Supervise all children in your care at all times.
Help keep the studio clean.
Use quiet voices at all times.
Respect studio property and furnishings.
Families choosing to remain at the studio during class must remain in the waiting room or hallway. Students, parents, and siblings may not enter or pass through classrooms while classes are in session unless directed by a staff member.
Thank you for helping us maintain a focused learning environment for all dancers.
Classroom Observation
Parents are welcome to observe classes through designated viewing areas.
To minimize distractions and promote student independence, parents should not enter classrooms during instruction unless invited by an instructor.
Weather Closures
In the event of severe weather, a decision regarding evening class cancellations will generally be made by 2:00 PM.
Notifications will be sent through email and the FCDC App.
First City Dance Center does not automatically close when local schools close.
Recital Information
Recital is an important part of the dance education experience and provides students with the opportunity to showcase what they have learned throughout the season.
Unless otherwise noted, all enrolled students participate in recital.
Additional information regarding costumes, tickets, dress rehearsal, photos, and performance schedules will be distributed throughout the season.
Dance With Me, Tumble With Me, and Adult classes do not participate in recital.
Dress Code
Proper dancewear allows instructors to accurately assess technique, alignment, and movement. All required items can be purchased in the FCDC Store.
