Wilmington Dance Academy Policies

Class Placement
The director determines individual class placement according to dance ability and age.  If at any time a student appears to be incorrectly placed, the student will be moved to an appropriate class.

  • Beginner (Ages 7-10)

  • Beginner/Intermediate(Ages 10-12)

  • Intermediate (Ages 11+) Students enrolling in jazz, lyrical, or contemporary classes are required to take at least one ballet class.

  • Intermediate/Advanced (Ages 13+) Students enrolling in jazz, lyrical, or contemporary classes are required to take at least one ballet class.

  • Intermediate/Teen Level (Ages 11+) Does not require a ballet prerequisite. The teacher will adjust instruction to best meet the needs of the students in attendance.

Missed Classes
Please use the Parent Portal to report if your child will be missing class. We encourage your child to make up the missed class with a class that is equal or one level lower within one month. There are NO CREDITS FOR MISSED CLASSES. Remember to keep your child home if they are feeling sick, with or without a fever.

Submitting Absences via the Parent Portal
Log into your portal → Click the hamburger menu (three lines, top right) → Absences & Makeups →
Green Submit Absence button → Choose dates and classes being missed.

Notices & Updates
Our staff makes every effort to keep students and parents informed of all studio information promptly. Most communication to our families is in the form of email. Newsletters are sent quarterly via email and as well as posted at the studio. We recommend adding noreply@jackrabbittech.com and info@wilmingtondanceacademy.com to your safe senders list.  Doing so will prevent your email provider from sending our emails to your junk/spam folder.

Recital
Our annual recital will be held on May 19th. Although participation is not mandatory, we encourage students to perform and experience this wonderful event. Recital updates will be emailed to the account on file. You must notify the office via email by December 1st if you will not be participating in the recital. Every effort is made to minimize the number of shows a single family performs in, but it is not always possible to put all family members in one show. Therefore, please expect that if you have multiple children or if your children are in multiple classes they may be in different or multiple shows.

Recital Costumes
Costumes are ordered in mid-December and are paid in two installments. The initial payment is due by October 18th and the complete payment is due by February 14th. Costume exchanges may incur an administrative fee. The studio is not responsible for alterations that may be needed to costumes.

School Closings
We follow the Wilmington Public School snow cancellation policy ONLY.  If snow begins after the school day is in progress, please watch email and Wilmington Dance Academy social media accounts for closure announcements.  We DO NOT follow the public school calendar. A vacation and holiday schedule will be announced in the 1st newsletter and can be found under the “company” page on the main navigation banner.

 

Wilmington Dance Academy Dress Code

Adherence to the dress code is mandatory to promote uniformity and to enable instructors to determine proper body placement.  Footwear listed with each class will be required for recital. All hair must be tightly pulled back.  We do not permit baggy clothes, T-shirts or sweatshirts in any class.  During the winter months, students may wear a ballet wrap or tight fitting sweater or top to warm-up.

  • For the Boys
    Black athletic pant of choice, white t-shirt and black ballet shoes (So Danca SD-70), black jazz (Bloch S0495), black tie tap shoes of choice, or clean sneakers for Hip Hop. (Please no street shoes; sneakers should be put on inside the studio. Recital shoe will be determined at a later date.)

  • Tiny Dancer and Storytime Dance
    Pink or purple leotard, white tights and white ballet slippers (So Danca SD-69 - formerly known as SD-70)

  • Tumble & Twirl
    Dance/Gymnastics leotard, shorts unitard/biketard, or shorts set, bare legs and feet

  • Pre-Dance, Kinderdance
    Pink leotard, white tights, white ballet slippers (So Danca SD-69 - formerly known as SD-70) and black tap shoes (TA37 So Danca Velcro). Dancers may wear a separate pull on ballet skirt; please nothing that requires tying.

  • Introductory Dance
    Pink leotard, white tights, white ballet slippers (So Danca SD-69 - formerly known as SD-70) and black tap shoes (TA37 So Danca Velcro) Jazz shoes are not needed at this level. Dancers may wear a separate pull on ballet skirt; please nothing that requires tying.

  • Jazz/Tap Combo
    Solid color leotard, light suntan tights, either black jazz shoes (Bloch Neoflex slip on #S0495) or pink ballet slippers (SO Danca SD-70) for jazz AND tap black tap shoes (Capezio Mary Jane 3800). Dancers coming from Beginner Ballet do not need to purchase jazz shoes.

  • Ballet (Basics/Beginner through Advanced)
    Black leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers (So Danca SD16 or Capezio Hanami), hair must be in a bun. Fitted warm ups may be worn for beginning of barre but must be removed when asked. Trash bag shorts and pants will not be allowed.

  • Jazz (Beginner through Advanced)
    Solid color leotard, light suntan tights, and black fitted short dance may be worn. Black jazz shoes (Bloch Neoflex slip on S0495)

  • Tap
    Solid color leotard, light suntan tights. Black fitted dance shorts or leggings may be worn. Black tap shoes:
    Beginner Level Tap – Capezio Mary Jane 3800 Tap
    Beg/Interm, Intermediate Level Tap - Bloch 321L Tap
    Interm/Adv and Advanced Level Tap - Bloch Jason Samuels Tap

  • Lyrical/Contemporary
    Solid color leotard, light suntan stirrup tights, bare feet or turning shoes for more advanced dancers. Contemporary socks may be required at advanced levels.


  • Hip Hop
    Comfortable, loose fitting clothes, clean sneakers. (Please no street shoes; sneakers should be put on inside the studio. Recital shoe will be determined at a later date.) Performance team sneakers may be different.

  • Musical Theater
    Comfortable, loose fitting clothes

  • Acro/Tumbling
    Dance/Gymnastics leotard, shorts unitard/biketard, or tight-fitting dance shorts, bare legs and feet. Cropped style fitted tops may be permitted if worn with high-waisted leggings that are well fitted to your dancer.