Calendar & Policies

Level placement is based primarily on technical ability, strength, and overall readiness, while also taking into consideration factors such as maturity, confidence, and commitment. For returning dancers, we also consider attendance, class behavior, and adherence to dress code. Age is considered, but it is not the deciding factor. Dancers develop at different rates and therefore age is not always the best way to determine a student’s level.

Ballet placement serves as the foundation for supplementary class placement. Dancers will generally take supplementary classes that correspond with their ballet level.

Faculty Input: Placements are made collaboratively with NRSB faculty—not by one person. Our teachers regularly discuss each student’s progress, strengths, and readiness.

Trust the Process: At the start of the year, if you have concerns about level placement, please allow your dancer to attend the assigned class for at least two weeks. This gives both the student and our faculty time to determine whether the placement is the correct fit.

Level Changes: If we determine at any point in the year that a different placement would better support a dancer’s growth, we will make that adjustment.

Attendance is essential to a dancer’s progress. While we understand that illness and unavoidable conflicts arise, dancers are expected to attend class consistently and should notify the studio as far in advance as possible if they will be absent. Do not call, text, or email teachers on their personal lines. All absences should be reported directly to the main office via email at NRSB@NRSBallet.com or by calling or texting the studio phone line.

If students are injured or ill but not contagious, they are expected to observe class.

Students who have 3 or more absences for any reason in any one class per quarter will be asked to meet with the Owner & Artistic Director.

This famous saying stands true—early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable. While we know there are sometimes circumstances beyond our control, across all ages we have seen a decline in what is considered an appropriate arrival time for dancers. Please arrive PRIOR to your class start time.

Dancers who arrive 20 minutes or more after the start of class will be asked to sit out. Joining class that late without a proper warm-up increases the risk of injury. Repeated tardiness will result in a conversation with the Owner & Artistic Director.

There are no refunds for class withdrawal after the third week of the quarter. Costumes are non-refundable after orders have been placed. There will be a $35 administrative fee for all class cancellations/withdrawals.

If the studio must cancel classes due to weather or events beyond our control such as power outages, we will do our best to make up for any missed classes. There are no refunds for class cancellations.

Cancellation Announcements:

• If North Reading public schools close due to snow/inclement weather, daytime classes (classes held before 3pm) are automatically cancelled. However, this does NOT mean that afternoon classes will be cancelled. The decision will be made by 1:00pm.
• An email will be sent out and social media updated with cancellation information. Please check our Instagram and Facebook pages for latest updates.
• Saturday class decisions will be made by 8:00am.

All communication for/with teachers should be done through NRSB email at nrsb@nrsballet.com. If you need to reach a specific teacher, write that teacher’s name in the subject.

Parents and students are encouraged to communicate with faculty and should always feel comfortable approaching a teacher with questions related to class, corrections, or a dancer’s training. Brief conversations may take place at the studio before or after class when appropriate. If a concern requires a longer or more formal conversation, a meeting can be scheduled with the teacher and Artistic Director.

To maintain appropriate professional boundaries and protect both students and faculty, communication between teachers and students should remain within the studio environment and established NRSB communication channels. Teachers and students should not communicate privately outside of the studio through personal text messages, phone calls, social media, direct messages, or other personal communication platforms. Parents and students should direct studio-related questions and concerns through the main office when communication outside of class is necessary.

Parents and guardians are required to read all newsletters, emails, and other school information posted in the Parent Portal, the North Reading School of Ballet website, and the studio’s social media.

• If you have any questions regarding the information distributed, we encourage you to contact the office at (978) 664-6433 or nrsb@nrsballet.com.
• It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian or the adult student to be aware of all studio activities such as picture days, recitals, extra classes, class cancelations, and dates the studio is open or closed.
• The studio will not only post all such notices on the website and on the bulletin boards, but will also email seasonal newsletters as well (be sure to check that NRSB is on your list of Safe Senders so important studio information doesn’t get sent to spam folders). If you unsubscribe from NRSB emails, you will miss critical information for you or your child.
• It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to regularly check postings to ensure they are informed, and likewise, to inform the studio of any address, email, or telephone number changes.

At NRSB, we maintain a strict dress code to ensure that instructors can properly assess students’ technique, alignment, and overall dance training. Please review our 2026-27 Dress Code. You can conveniently shop all dress code attire on our storefront here.

Students must wear the required dancewear and dance shoes to all classes. Failure to follow the dress code may result in being asked to sit out the class.

• Dancers will not be allowed to wear warm-ups in class.
• Black leotard and skin-tone tights must be worn in ALL classes (even supplementary classes).
• The only jewelry permitted is stud earrings or very small hoops.
• Dancers must maintain clean, properly fitted shoes with no holes.
• Dancers must keep all required shoes in their bag at all times.

No one is allowed to stay in the classroom as it distracts the students. There will be several Parent Observation Weeks scheduled throughout the year. We encourage families to attend to gain a better understanding of our teaching approach and see firsthand the detail that goes into developing strong dancers.

NRSB is a nut-free studio. If you consume nut-filled snacks on the way to dance, please wash hands before coming into class for the safety of our dancers. Water ONLY is allowed in the studio and dressing rooms. Please feel free to bring water bottles to class (label your water bottle). Food and non-water drinks can be enjoyed in the hallway. Dancers must clean up and dispose of any wrappers, crumbs, and food containeres. There is absolutely NO GUM allowed in the studio. And, of course, there is no smoking allowed in the studio.

If your student is injured and unable to dance, they are encouraged to come watch their classes. Please inform teachers of injuries and precautions needed.

NRSB dancers partake in an annual Year-End Performance in late May or early June, More information regarding required rehearsals and performance dates and times will be sent to families throughout the school year. Please make every effort to attend each dance class in order to be properly prepared for the show. All students are encouraged to take part in the Year-End Performance. It is a great experience for the dancers, giving them confidence, building team spirit, and providing a sense of completion.

North Reading School of Ballet, LLC reserves the right to use photographs and videos taken during classes, workshops, performances, or other affiliated events for the purposes of instruction, advertising and promoting North Reading School of Ballet, LLC and its programs. Students, or parents of students who are minors, who do not wish to comply with this policy must notify North Reading School of Ballet, LLC prior to participation in class.

I recognize and understand the risks of physical injury inherent to dance and dance training and I fully assume those risks. I hereby release North Reading School of Ballet, LLC, its employees and dance teachers from all liability for injuries sustained or illnesses contracted while attending or participating in any dance classes, rehearsals, workshops, or performances. I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless North Reading School of Ballet, LLC, event sponsors, employees and dance teachers for liabilities, costs and judgments arising from acts of omissions committed by me or my child which result in injury or damage to any person or property. I acknowledge and represent that I have fully informed myself of the content of the waiver and hold harmless agreement by reading it before I sign it, and I understand that I sign this document as my own free act and deed; no oral representations, statements, or inducements, apart from the written statement, have been made. I further state that I am at least eighteen (18) years of age and am fully competent to sign this agreement; and that I execute this release for full, adequate, and complete consideration fully intending to be bound by the same. I further state that there are no health-related reasons or problems which preclude or restrict my or my child’s participation in this activity, and that I will pay any medical costs that may be attendant as a result of injury to me or my child.

This policy is intended to provide North Reading School of Ballet students and parents with guidelines to eliminate any confusion concerning the use of social media (Facebook, Instagram, etc). Please respect the law, including those laws governing defamation, discrimination, harassment, and copyright and fair use. Do not post video clips of classes or recitals. North Reading School of Ballet, LLC owns the copyright to all choreography taught at the school.