FAQ

St. Paul Ballet does not discriminate in admissions, employment or student enrollment on the basis of race, creed, sex or national origin.

How do I register?
Registrations will be accepted for the school year beginning in August. Classes begin in September each fall.

Children’s Division ages 2.5-6: Please sign-up online to book and pay for classes. Booking online will guarantee you have a spot reserved in class. You may also register using a credit card, check or cash at the studio which will be applied to your account.

School-Year Division ages 7-18: Please sign up online if you are paying the full annual tuition. If you would like to set up a payment schedule please call during studio hours or stop at the desk to set up a monthly plan. For Levels 3-6 please call 651-690-1588 to schedule a placement class before registering to determine your dancer’s level of study. After receiving placement from SPB’s School Director, please register online to pay for classes. You may pay for classes using a credit card online or check/cash at the studio which will be applied to your account.

Call or visit the SPB studios, Monday-Thursday from 4:30pm-7:00pm or Saturdays 9:00am-1:00pm to register and/or make payments.

Community Division ages 13+: Please sign-up online to book and pay for classes. Booking online will guarantee you have a spot reserved in class. You may register also 15 minutes prior to the start of any class provided the class has not reached capacity. You may also purchase class packs or single classes using a credit card, check or cash at the studio which will be applied to your MindBody account.

Students with incomplete registrations will be placed on a waiting list. If you have any additional questions, please call 651-690-1588 or email the registrar@spballet.org

    What level am I in?
    Check with the School Director, Chris Onusko  conusko@spballet.org if you are uncertain about which classes or programs to register for or if you have questions about class placement. If you are new to SPB you may be asked to take a placement class during one of our regularly scheduled classes. Call 651-690-1588.

    Where are classes held?
    655 Fairview Avenue N. in St. Paul. Just three blocks north of University Ave in the Fairview Business Center. Ample free parking in lot. Green Line Light Rail Fairview Station at University. Bus route #67 stops in front of the building.

    PARKING: Free parking in the lot at 655 Fairview Ave. N. in front of the building and in striped areas all along the south side of the Fairview Business Center.

    What do I wear?
    The dress code for the Children’s and School-Year Divisions can be found on the web page for each program.

    For summer classes students may wear any unrestrictive dancer wear.

    How much is tuition?
    TUITION can be found on each Division page:
    Children’s Division
    Adult-Teen Division
    Training Division

    1. Tuition Payments online may be made with Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover cards. Cash, Check, or Credit card are accepted in-person at SPB’s studios. Please make checks payable to SPB.
    2. Three payment options by check/cash or credit card:
      1. One annual payment.
      2. Three payments: September, and January and April.
      3. 9 Monthly payments: due on the same day each month. Arrange at registration.
    3. Sibling discount: 5% on the lower tuition for Children’s Division  |  10% on the lower tuition for School-Year Division
    4. Tuition must be current on the first day of class. Students will not be able to take class if payment is past due. Payments past due will be assessed a $25 fee.
    5. Tuition is nonrefundable and nontransferable. No refunds will be given once the class registered for has begun.
    6. Withdrawing from a class: Students must notify the School Director to withdraw from a class. If the student is a minor, a parent must notify the School Director.
    7. Credit for tuition or extensions on class cards are given only in cases of injury or serious illness where medical documentation is provided.
    8. A $25 fee will be assessed on all returned checks.
    9. Entire tuition payment MUST be completed before the Winter and Spring Showcases for a student to be able to participate in the performance.
    10. Classes missed in Levels 1-6 are required to be made up within two weeks in an equivalent level or next lower level within the same genre.

      Do you offer scholarships?
      Yes, we offer need-based scholarships. If tuition is a barrier, please complete the application HERE OR call and ask for a scholarship application. We would like to provide dance for any child who would like to try! Please complete the application and mail, email or bring it to our studios at: 655 Fairview Avenue N., St. Paul, MN 55104
      SPB_2023-24_Financial_Aid

      School Calendar click here Calendar is updated throughout the year. Please check back frequently.

      Are there performance opportunities for students?
      The Nutcracker  s for all students enrolled full-time in the School-Year Division. Performances in December. Casting is at the sole discretion of the directors.

      Spring Showcase: A Celebration of Our Students for students enrolled full-time for the School-Year Division and students of the Children’s Division. Performances in May.

      • Other opportunities for pre-professional students will be announced throughout the year.
      • Attendance: Consistent attendance is taken into consideration for participation in performance opportunities and casting.
      • Performance fee: This fee helps defray the costs for cleaning/repair/replacement of costumes in SPB’s inventory.
        October, a $40 fee will be assessed for School-Year Division and Children’s Division students participating in the Winter Performance.
        March 1, a $40 fee for School-Year Division students. $25 fee for Children’s Division students participating in the Spring Showcase. 
      • Volunteering: We couldn’t do it without you! Over 100 parents, family members and friends of semester or full-term students are needed to volunteer during performance production weeks. From loading scenery, driving trucks and transporting costumes to sewing, chaperoning and distributing posters and flyers we have plenty of jobs to fit your busy schedules.

      Conferences?
      Twice a year in January and May, St. Paul Ballet provides conferences for all students in Elementary Ballet through Level 6.  These are 10 to 15-minute conferences for the student and their parents with their primary teacher(s.) The conferences provide students and their parents with helpful information about their individual progress and is a time to ask questions and discuss recommendations from teachers for the remainder of the year (Mid-year conference) or the summer months and following year (Year-end conference.)

      What are the STUDIO RULES?
      ATTENDANCE

      1. All students are expected to arrive on time, dressed for class and ready to learn.
      2. Students in the School-Year Division are expected to attend every class in the level to which they are assigned.
      3. To prevent injury, students who arrive after the beginning of class will likely be asked to observe. The class instructor will let a student know if they are too late to participate safely. Students in Elementary Ballet through Level 6 will be asked to take notes during observation. Observation is not a punishment and is an important learning tool which brings a fresh perspective.
      4. Please notify the school office of all absences prior to class time. Anticipated absences (school or family conflicts) should be reported by email (spb@spballet.org) at the beginning of the session.
      5. Absences due to illness, injury or special circumstances will be excused; however, tuition will not be refunded. If a minor student becomes ill during class they must remain in the main studio or in the lobby area until a parent has been contacted and pick-up arrangements have been made.
      6. Make-up classes should be taken within two weeks within the same discipline. For School-Year Division students, make-up classes are to be in the next lower level. There is no additional tuition charge for make-up classes.
      7. Attendance is taken into consideration for performance participation and casting.

      STUDIO/DRESSING ROOM ETIQUETTE

      1. Eating and chewing gum are not allowed in the studio during class time. A pre-filled bottle of water may be brought into class for hydration.
      2. If you have a cell phone, ensure it is turned off prior to beginning class.
      3. Street shoes are not allowed in the studios.
      4. Students are expected to respect the facility and clean up after themselves in the studio.  Parents may wait for their children in the building lobby area.
      5. Allergies: St. Paul Ballet is a peanut and tree-nut free facility. We are also a pet free facility.

      SAFETY AND SECURITY

      1. For children under 18: Parent involvement plays a key role in creating a safe and enjoyable experience for children. The well being of our students is a priority at SPB so we encourage parents/guardians to review safety concerns with your child. For dancers ages 2.5-8 we require that parents drop off and pick up their child in the studio. If someone other than the parent/guardian is picking up the dancer, SPB must have prior notification.
      2. Please pick up your dancer on time. We understand delays may happen, especially in the winter, and request that you call the office 651-690-1588 if you will be late.
      3. St. Paul Ballet reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student whose attitude is found to be unsatisfactory or who engages in disruptive or disorderly behavior, who uses inappropriate language, or who uses illegal drugs or alcohol on the premises or at off-site performance/rehearsal spaces. In such a situation the School Director will be immediately contacted and the student placed under supervision until his/her parent/guardian has arrived (an adult will be escorted off the premises). The student/adult will be readmitted to the class/performance only after approval of the School Director. NOTE: If unsafe or negative behavior occurs from a minor during a performance, the parent/guardian (or a representative of SPB in their absence) must remain to supervise the student during the performance.
      4. Our facility is a smoke-free environment.
      5. Valuables including electronic and digital devices should not be left unattended. SPB is not responsible for lost valuables. 
      6. Emergency Closure: In the case of inclement weather or other unforeseen events, SPB will make an announcement by 1:00 pm on weekdays regarding school closure. The announcement will be on the SPB voicemail, (651) 690-1688 and SPB website at www.spballet.org

      May I make up a class?

      1. Classes missed in Levels 1-6 are required to be made up within two weeks in an equivalent level or next lower level within the same genre.
      2. Consistent attendance is taken into consideration for participation in performance opportunities and casting.

      Absences due to legal holidays, religious holidays, bad weather, or regularly scheduled classes cancelled for any reason by St. Paul Ballet are eligible to be made up. Students may attend a makeup class in a level equivalent to or one level below their current level and must schedule it within their respective programs. Please call the studio to let us know you will be attending a makeup class. Student must sign in with the Receptionist before class to have the class counted as the required makeup.

      May I make up a class?

      September-May School Year program: Tuition paid is non-refundable and non-transferable to another student or program. This includes classes that are cancelled for any reason or mandatory closures due to state and/or local mandates.

      All students who enroll for Elementary Ballet through Level 6 are enrolling for the entire school year (September-May) and are obligated to pay the full year’s tuition fees, regardless of payment option (year in full, three payments, or monthly installments.)

      If a student must withdraw from the program due to prolonged illness or severe injury that prohibits their participation, verified by a doctor’s certificate, Saint Paul Ballet will consider an account credit option for tuition paid at the time of withdrawal.

      Summer programs: Tuition paid is non-refundable and non-transferable to another student or program. This includes classes that are cancelled for any reason or mandatory closures due to state and/or local mandates.

      If a student must withdraw from the program due to prolonged illness or severe injury that prohibits their participation, verified by a doctor’s certificate, Saint Paul Ballet will consider an account credit option for tuition paid at the time of withdrawal.

      What is the inclement weather policy?

      SNOW DAYS/CLASS CANCELLATIONS/HOLIDAY SCHEDULES For any questions related to class cancellations, please call St. Paul Ballet at (651) 690-1588 for an automated message which includes information relating to inclement weather, holidays, and any other event that might result in class cancellation.

      1. In the event of inclement weather, information will be posted on the spballet.org website, Facebook and Instagram and updated throughout the day on the voicemail recording. Be sure to check regularly.
      2. Class cancellations may differ from public school closings.
      3. Because many of our students travel long distances to attend classes, we encourage parents to use their judgment and to respect any posted snow emergencies for the areas through which they must travel.
      4. Classes canceled by St. Paul Ballet due to inclement weather, or classes missed due to prohibitively dangerous driving conditions may be made up as defined in “May I make up a class? above.”

      May I watch class?
      Observation of classes is not generally permitted in Elementary Ballet through Level 6. Prior arrangements must be made with the School Director to observe these classes. Parents will be invited to observe their child’s progress during Parent Observation Weeks.

      It is appropriate for parents to ask the question, “May I watch class?” Yes, you want to know how the teacher interacts with the students and whether the material is appropriate for your child. But we have found that when parents observe classes:
      • Children may be easily distracted and, some are shy and do not like to be watched by strangers.
      • It is very difficult for the teacher to focus on their work with the children if they are also trying to connect with a visitor or parent.
      • Also, what you might see in any one class on a given day is only a snapshot of the entire class. It may or may not be typical of that group of students, or of how your child’s class level might work.

      So what does a parent do?
      Do meet with your child’s teacher and the School Director. Your insight into your child will help the School Director and teachers determine what he/she might be ready for in terms of dance.

      Students and their parents will receive an assessment at the end of the first semester and at the end of the school year. Parents are encouraged to schedule a conference with the School Director at any time they feel necessary.

      When are rehearsals?

      Families of students involved in performances should check the Parent Portal for rehearsal schedules outside of Repertoire/Workshops and at performance venues.

      How can I volunteer?
      You can help support the ballet through volunteering at performances and events. We can also use cleaning help and bringing supplies such as kleenex, band aids and hair binders. Sign up at the studio by calling 651-690-1588.
      Open House October
      Winter Performance (Dec)
      Spring Performance (May)