Registration & Policies
The 2025 Fall session runs from September 8, 2025 through January 23rd. Our second semester begins on January 26 and will end with our Spring performance scheduled for June 6th and 7th at the Ridgefield High School. It is highly recommended that students start classes at the beginning of the Fall session. Some restrictions may apply.
Prospective students may take 1 trial class. For Adult sessions, there is a one time non-refundable deposit of $30 for the first class. If you continue the session your deposit will be applied towards your invoice.
Account Portal
Access your online account through the buttons here:
Your account portal is also accessible through the Akada Portal app.
Policies
Schedule
The Ridgefield School of Dance consults the Ridgefield Public School schedule for class cancellations. We reserve the option to have classes based on weather conditions. If we close due to poor weather conditions, we will make every attempt to reschedule cancelled classes, or may offer affected classes via Zoom. See Schedule & School Calendar page for the class and annual schedules.
• The Ridgefield School of Dance follows the Ridgefield Public School’s recommendation of closure in the event of inclement weather and actual conditions warrant closure — the option to have in-studio classes is based on actual weather conditions. Notification will be sent via text message.
• The school reserves the right to cancel a class due to insufficient enrollment and to close a class when it has reached capacity.
• Should in-studio classes be suspended due to COVID-19 related reasons, classes may continue virtually although some classes may be combined.
Attendance
• Dancers should arrive at the studio with enough time to dress and be ready to start on time.
• Dancers late to class may enter the studio at any time. Dancers in Ballet 3 and up may participate in class if they arrive within 15 minutes of the start of class and with permission of the instructor. Dancers arriving later than 15 minutes may be asked to observe class.
• Class missed due to illness or other conflicts may be made-up by taking another scheduled class on the same or lower level within the same term they were missed. Students are welcome to make-up classes in another discipline. There will be no refund or credit for missed classes.
• Please contact the studio if your child will be absent from class.
In The Studio
• Parents of PreBallet and Ballet 1 dancers are welcome to observe class. Parents of Ballet 2 through the PreProfessional Division may observe classes the last week of each month.
• No food of any kind is allowed in the dance studios.
• No mobile devices are allowed in the dance studios during class except when recording choreography.
Liability & Insurance
A liability waiver must be signed through the parent portal, or on hard copy and provided to the director, prior to the first class.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Ridgefield School of Dance does not carry medical insurance for its students. It is required that all dance students be covered by their own family insurance and if injury occurs it is understood that the family’s medical policy is the only source of reimbursement.
Photography
By registering for The Ridgefield School of Dance, you grant permission to the school to use and publish all photos, videos, and digital images of your child, in conjunction with the studio and school name for editorial, trade, advertising, and/or other promotional purposes. Parents who do not wish for their child’s image to be used in this manner must declare so in writing.
Withdrawals
There are no refunds for voluntary withdrawal from classes after the 2nd week of each session unless it is for a medical reason with a doctor’s note.
Communication
Email & Texting
We send general information via email and urgent notifications via text. Please ensure your account has the correct email and phone number and subscribe to texts in the parent portal. We send updates on classes, cancellations, rehearsals, and performances via email and/or text. Please note that we will be transitioning to the Band app so that you have easy access to updates for your classes.
Add alison@ridgefield.dance, alison@theridgefieldschoolofdance.com, and tina@ridgefield.dance to your address book. Check spam/junk/marketing folders for misrouted emails.
Text & calls may also come from the studio phone number, 203-894-5957.
New families: To receive texts, subscribe in your account portal or text "start" to 203-652-8298 per TCPA regulations.
Your contact information is used solely for The Ridgefield School of Dance. For updates or a portal link, email alison@ridgefield.dance.
Band App — We’re transitioning from email and text to a new Communication Center on the BAND app. Available for both Apple and Android devices, BAND allows for customized, filtered notifications specific to your dancer. Check back soon for more information.
Dress Code
HAIR: To limit distractions, dancer’s hair should be neatly secured away from their face. Short hair should be held back in a headband and barrettes.
Pre-Ballet & Ballet I — Hair up and off the face in a bun or a tidy pony tail.
Ballet 2 through PreProfessional Division — Ballet bun.
Jazz Department dancers — high pony tail.
NO JEWELRY may be worn in class. This includes braided wrist/ankle bands, watches, or rings.
DANCE ATTIRE — Dance attire may be purchased at Joy of Movement located at 15 Danbury Rd. Ridgefield, CT 06877. We recommend that ballet slippers be properly fitted at a store for dance attire. We recommend Freed pointe shoes which are available at Attitudes in Norwalk, CT.
Ballet Students Attire
GIRLS — leotard color (as listed below) with light pink tights with feet or convertible tights, and pink ballet slippers.
Leotard colors & styles:
PreBallet — Light Pink — Bloch Essential short sleeve leotard — no skirts*
Ballet 1 — Sun — Bloch Girls Essential camisole leotard — no skirts*
Ballet 2 — Lavender — Bloch Girls Essential camisole leotard — no skirts*
Ballet 3 — Light Blue — Bloch Girls Essential camisole leotard
Ballet 4 — Berry Bloch — Girls or Adults Essential camisole leotard
Ballet 5 — Aubergine — Bloch Girls or Adults Essential camisole leotard
Ballet 6/PreProfessional Division 2 — Black — Bloch Adults Essential thin strap camisole leotard
Ballet 7/PreProfessional Division 1 — Black — Leo of choice or black Bloch Adults Essential camisole leotard or comparable
*ballet skirt worn to the studio MUST be removed BEFORE class so instructor can see the line of the body
Tights — All female ballet dancers wear pink tights during class.
Ballet Slippers — Pink Ballet slippers.
Ballet 4 & up — LEATHER BALLET SLIPPERS (split sole)
Pointe shoes must have elastic and ribbons sewn on. Miss Jess recommends Classic or Studio Freeds available at Attitude 181 Westport Avenue, Norwalk CT 06851.
Please speak with an instructor to approve fit before sewing on elastic and ribbons.
BOYS — White or Black T-shirts, black footless tights, white socks, black ballet slippers.
Jazz/Lyrical/Contemporary/Musical Theatre Dance Attire
GIRLS — Leotard — Black leotard and jazz shorts. If coming from or going into ballet class, ballet class leotard is acceptable.
Tights — stirrup or footless tights optional for class.
Shoes —
• Lyrical/Contemporary: Bare feet, toe undies or pirouette slippers.
• Jazz students: Tan or beige jazz shoes (no black), possible need for character shoes
No jewelry. No T-shirts or loose tops.
BOYS — Shorts and T-shirt
Tap Attire Shoes available on Amazon, search “Child Jazz tap shoe split sole”
GIRLS — Black leotard, fitted jazz shorts and/or tights. Black, lace-up, soft/split sole tap shoes.
BOYS — Shorts and T-shirt. Soft/split sole lace-up tap shoes.
Performance Attire
• Ballet — Ballet 3 through Pre-Professional division must wear Bodywrappers convertible tights in Ballet Pink Item # C45 (child) #A45 (adult). Performances earrings are also required for Ballet 3 and up.
• Jazz — All female jazz department including Contemporary, Lyrical, Theatre Dance, Modern, Fusion and Tap dancers must wear Bodywrappers stirrup tights # C32 (child) or #A 32 (Adult) in Jazzy Tan, and the appropriate shoes for class.
• Ballet & Jazz — Performances earrings are also required for Ballet 3 and up and most Jazz performers.