Policies & Procedures

Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes as consistent attendance is critical to progress and advancement in dance. Students or their families must report all absences to the Conservatory Principal prior to class time in order to be excused. Students who are injured are expected to observe classes and take notes. Poor attendance may jeopardize a student’s placement, participation in productions, or promotion. In case of any absence, parents or guardians should notify the Conservatory Principal. If the student has been kept home from academic school because of an illness, it is recommended that they not attend BTM classes on that day. If a student knows of a scheduling conflict in which they will miss class, the instructor should be notified in advanced.

If a student misses a class for any reason, they may take any class in the same level or lower as a make-up class. The student must inform the instructor of the regularly scheduled class and the make -up class and clear it through the Conservatory Principal. If a class needs to be canceled for any reason, BTM will arrange make-up arrangements.

Level Advancement is made at the discretion of the faulty with the Conservatory Principal. At the end of each academic year, families will be notified on which classes/levels to register their student for the next year. As students get older, the amount of information to learn in a level grows. It is common for a student to spend 2-3 years in a level before advancing, especially in levels Classical Ballet 3 and up.

Classes held at Maryland Hall: Tuition for the entire semester is due in full at the time of registration. Classes held at Annex: Tuition paid may be paid in full for the entire season (September-May), in two semester payments (September-December and January-May), or in nine monthly payments (September-May). Monthly payments will be billed on the 15th of each month. Payments may be paid in cash, check (made payable to BTM), or card with an AutoPay option.*Note: Annex tuition paid in full or in two month payments will receive a 5% discount.Classes held in Grasonville: Tuition Monthly payments will be billed on the 1st Tuesday of each month. For your convenience, BTM offers an AutoPay enrollment option.*Note: A limited number of need based scholarships are available. Please contact the Conservatory Principal to inquire about eligibility.

At the beginning of each semester, students and their parents are asked to complete emergency contact, photo release and medical release paperwork. This is kept on record in case of emergency. For safety purposes, we ask that students not roam the building in any location. At Maryland hall, students 12 and under must be escorted into their classroom and signed in and out of each class by a parent or guardian. At all locations, students are to wait inside the building, not outside, for parent pick up.

Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s Conservatory of Dance admits students of any race, color, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on any basis of race, color, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin or protected class in administration of its education policies, admission policies, scholarship programs or any other school administered programs.

Annapolis Locations: BTM follows AACPS for most holiday and inclement weather closures.Grasonville Locations: BTM follows QACPS's inclement weather closures, but will also take AACPS calls into account as most of our faculty travels from Annapolis.Inclement weather updates or unscheduled closures will be posted to BTM's website/social media channels and emailed from the Conservatory Principal. Check the Conservatory Calendar for holiday closures here.

Physical Guidance: Ballet Theatre of Maryland is committed to providing individualized instruction that supports each dancer's growth and development. As part of quality dance education, instructors may use appropriate hands-on guidance to help dancers understand corrections and achieve proper technique, body alignment, and placement. Any physical contact is always professional, respectful, and intended solely to support safe and effective learning.Communication Policy: To ensure clear and consistent communication, all inquiries regarding private lessons, scheduling, or other Conservatory matters must be directed to the Conservatory Principal. Direct communication between teachers and students or parents via phone, text, or email is not permitted.

Ballet Theatre of Maryland is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment where every student is encouraged to learn, grow, and thrive.Students are expected to treat themselves, their fellow dancers, instructors, staff, and studio facilities with respect at all times. Bullying, harassment, disruptive behavior, or any conduct that interferes with the learning environment will not be tolerated.BTM maintains a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student whose behavior is consistently inappropriate or negatively impacts the well-being of others or the Conservatory community.