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How would you handle this?

WhiteOrchid.WhiteOrchid.
in Parenting

DD started a ballet/tap class last September. We pay $60 per month for her to go one hour per week. We also have to pay for two recitals per year- December and April.

I did a good bit of research before picking the school she attends. I took ballet for 15 years, so I wanted to make sure that I chose a school that had qualified instructors and that would be a good fit for DD. 

There have been 5 kids in her class since September- 4 girls and 1 boy. It has been a wonderful experience for her as she's learned so much and really enjoys her class, her teacher and the other children. That all changed a few weeks ago. The school she goes to offers free tuition for boys. They can take any class, or multiple classes, for free. I do understand why they're doing this as boys are usually few and far between at dance schools, but it has gotten out of control. They advertised the free tuition in the paper a few weeks ago, and her class has tripled in size. The newer kids (boys and girls) are so out of control that the teacher spends most of the hour trying to discipline. They are hiring an assistant for her, but there are other problems. 

The parents of the new kids are constantly in and out of the room. Many of them show up 10-15 minutes late for class. I swear it's just one interruption after another. I find it distracting sitting in the waiting room and watching the constant flow in and out of the room, so I can't even imagine how hard it is for 3/4 year olds to pay attention. I don't understand why the other parents think it's okay to parade in and out of the room to reprimand their children. I timed it today and there was someone at the door going in and out every 5 minutes or so. That's just ridiculous. 

So how do I handle this? I think it's absurd that I'm paying $60 per month for a class that is being constantly interrupted and that has a constant influx of new faces. I'm thinking of calling the director tomorrow, but I'm not quite sure how to approach it. Thanks for reading if you've made it this far. 

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Re: How would you handle this?

  • Temp86398625009737Temp86398625009737
    I would, and ask her to observe the classes  I could see if they were paying customers, but since they are not, and probably using it as an hour of free babysitting, I would say something.  That is clearly not a dance class anymore. I know they are young and need to learn as well, but maybe limit the amount of "free boys" in the class to help with crowd control?
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  • 4Speedy4Speedy member
    My first reaction was to wait it out because I bet you anything, most of the new people won't stick around long.  But then I realized if that's the case, the school will just run the ad again and you will always be dealing with a steady influx of new kids.  I think you should finish the school year and if it's still a problem, switch to your second choice school.
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  • belle204belle204 member
    i would definitely discuss your concerns with the director.  i don't know how it works adding students throughout the year but i'd be most bothered by the size (not nec the actual additions) and the lack of control. there need to be some guidelines set for parents coming in/out and they should split the class if getting her an asst doesn't help. it would suck to pull your dd out of a place she (normally) enjoys and has so far met your needs.
    image


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  • sunandsandsunandsand
    If it were me, I would say something about how one of the reasons I chose the school was because of the small class size and individualized attention and now that the size has tripled thats not the case anymore.
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  • cbidt*sgirlcbidt*sgirl member
    imagesunandsand:
    If it were me, I would say something about how one of the reasons I chose the school was because of the small class size and individualized attention and now that the size has tripled thats not the case anymore.
    This
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  • hikerbethhikerbeth member

    I would speak to the director.  Ask about the policy for parents in class.  At DD's class, the first of the session is for parents to sit in and the rest of the classes, the parents are asked to wait outside.

    If kids are continually disruptive (beyond normal 3/4 year old behavior), they are asked to leave class period.

    See if there are any policies like this in place or if some can be instituted.

    imageimage Ashley Sawtelle Photography
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  • hopefulmomhopefulmom member

    I would speak to the director or teacher (whoever actually "runs" the school) and explain to her just as you did here.  What I'm hearing you say is:  you feel the disruptions are the worse of the problem and secondly the tripling of the class size.  A good class can be very big but only if the teacher has total control and the kids are well behaved and listen and do what they are being taught to do. 

    Maybe explain that you've taken years of ballet yourself and know that if you had the disruptions that are happening in your DD's class you would not have learned all you did because you wouldn't have been able to focus...and she can't either. 

    One suggestion is to have a completely separate class for the boys (at least until they are committed and take instruction well).  The boys might like it better anyway.  I think that in itself would solve some of the problems.  The second suggestion is for the instructor to require some guidlines/rules as to kids being late for class (more than 5 minutes...don't bother coming) and parents are to STAY out of the room.  My DD was in a karate class and those were a couple of the rules and all the parents adhered to them.

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