Parent Information

Academy of Dance
Official School of The Joffrey Ballet

Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director

Christopher Conway, Executive Director

Anna Reznik & Alexei Kremnev,
Associate Artistic Directors

Barbara Yokom, Academy Director

Joffrey Tower
10 East Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 312.784.4600
Fax: 312.739.0119

Parents are very important to the Academy of Dance. The Directors encourage your participation in the training of your children. Parents may contact the school or fill
out an Inquiry Form with any questions they may have.

Communication
In order to encourage communication between students, parents and the dance faculty at the Academy of Dance, the following communication policy has been established. When students or parents have
questions regarding dance class, the dance curriculum, or individual student progress, they are encouraged to follow the procedure set out below to communicate with all members of the dance faculty. Unfortunately,
since the dance faculty normally teach several classes in a row, communication between classes is difficult at best.

Students and parents are encouraged to complete an INQUIRY FORM and return to Joffrey reception.
The Academy of Dance Director will review the Summary of the Question portion of the Inquiry Form and determine if the call back should be made by the identified dance faculty
or the offices. Routine
questions will be submitted directly to the dance faculty. All other questions will be handled at the discretion of the Academy of Dance Director.
If the Academy of Dance Director determines that the call back should be made by the dance faculty, s/he will date the Inquiry Form and route it to that teacher’s mailbox.
The Academy of Dance Director and/or the dance faculty will make reasonable efforts to complete the call back within three days of its receipt.
Once the call back is complete, the Inquiry Form will be routed to the Academy of Dance administration for filing.

Parents and students should check the bulletin in the waiting area regularly for announcements. Parents may also access The Joffrey Ballet website for general information
at www.joffrey.org.
Parents are welcome to observe classes during the designated parent observation week each semester.
Parking is available in the Interpark Self-Parking lot on the corner of Randolph and Wabash. Inquire at the reception desk for validations.

Parent Etiquette

Parents are not allowed in the studios before or after class.
Please do not peer into class windows during class.

Attendance and Punctuality
Regular, punctual attendance is important to a child’s progress. All students must notify the Academy of Dance office at 312.784.4600 of any absences or tardies. Being on time for
class is essential. Classes begin with warm up exercises to prevent injuries that might result from more difficult moves to follow. If a student is more than ten minutes late, s/he will
be asked to observe the remainder of class, as it will not be possible for them to be properly warmed up to join the other dancers. Students should not disrupt class by entering late or leaving
early. Students who must leave early are required to get prior permission from their instructor. An excused absence includes, but is not limited to illness, injury or death in the family.

Make Up Classes
Students should make up any classes due to injury or illness. Make ups must be completed within the same semester at the student’s level or the level immediately below. No refund
or credit is given for missed classes. A credit toward the next semester will only be issued in the case of extreme illness or injury which prevents the student from returning to class during
the same semester.

Evaluation and Placement
Students receive an end of the year evaluation which is completed in May and mailed with the fall enrollment packet. Teachers may recommend advancement of a student at any level during the
course of the year. Placement recommendations are entirely at the discretion of teachers and the Associate Artistic Directors. The Artistic Director will make a final decision in the
event of a disagreement concerning appropriate placement. Students transferring from other schools will attend a placement class at the earliest possible time. The teacher will make a
placement recommendation and classes will be assigned accordingly.

Food
No food gum, or other snacks or drinks are allowed in the studios, the waiting areas, or dressing rooms. Students may bring bottled water. Food and/or snacks are only allowed on the table
in the designated eating area.

Video, Audio and Photo Recording
No video, audio, photo or any other recordings are allowed in the studios and theatres without written permission from the Academy Director.