Applicable Costs: Tuition assistance applies to tuition only and cannot be applied to registration, Showcase, or costume fees, or any other fees or merchandise.

Notification: Financial aid/work-study applications for 2026-27 will be accepted until July 24th, 2026. Deadlines and other details will be shared with returning families via e-mail and listed on the OAB website. Award notifications will be sent via e-mail by Friday, July 31st, 2026. Accounts will be adjusted to reflect tuition assistance awards before August 21st, 2026.

Multiple discounts: Families may only receive one of the following types of financial assistance: financial aid, work-study, or employee discounts. A multi-class discount can then be applied in addition to any of these options, which will be calculated off of the discounted tuition total.

Fee Discount: There are no discounts on registration, costume, or annual Showcase fees.

Attendance: To maintain financial aid or work-study status, dancers must average 60% attendance or higher for the year per enrolled class, which will be assessed at spring break. Dancers whose attendance falls below 60% per enrolled class will be placed on probationary status until April 15th, and must then demonstrate adequate knowledge and execution of Showcase dances before being permitted to perform, in addition to a re-assessment of financial aid eligibility for any upcoming sessions.

Multi-Class: Registering for multiple (3-6+) 1+ hour classes in the same week qualifies a family for a 10% multi-class discount. Families may combine enrollments of immediate family members to maximize the discount. Only one multi-class discount per family. Master classes, workshops, and special events do not apply toward the discount. If registering after the start of the school year, the discount will be pro-rated. If a family drops below a total of three 1+ hour classes per week, the multi-class discount will no longer apply.

Tuition/Fees

Recital Fees: Families will be charged one fee which covers all dancers participating in the annual Showcase. Showcase fees will be automatically added to family accounts in January 2027. If a dancer chooses not to participate in the Showcase, they must notify the Academy Manager by January 4th, 2026. If a student withdraws from the Showcase after January 4th but before March 1st, a 50% refund will be issued. No refunds will be issued after March 1st. Showcase fees will be distributed across four monthly payments, collected on the 16th of each month from January to April 2027.

Payment Options: Tuition can be paid in 9 monthly installments or in full at the time of registration. If paying in monthly installments, one month's tuition is due upon registration with the remaining monthly payments due on the 15th of each month beginning September 15th, 2026 and ending on April 15th, 2027. Families participating in the annual Showcase are strongly encouraged to enroll in automatic payments if paying in monthly installments. Note: Dancers not participating in the Showcase or registering for adult classes must enroll in automatic payments or pay in full at the time of registration.

Schedule: Monthly payments are due on the 15th of each month (Sept-April) with a 5-day grace period. Any payments received after the 20th of each month will incur a $10 late fee.

Drop-Ins: Drop-ins allowed only for adult-level classes that have open spots. Current professional dancers may drop in for $10. Class cards are discontinued.

Costume Fee: Families will be charged a costume fee for each student's costume. All costume fees will be automatically added to accounts in January 2027. If a dancer chooses not to participate in the Showcase, they must notify the Academy Manager by January 4, 2027. If a student withdraws from the Showcase between January 4th and March 1st, a 75% refund will be issued. For dancers who withdraw due to injury or illness after March 1st, refunds will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Costume fees will be distributed across four monthly payments, collected on the 16th of each month from January to April 2027.

Balances: All tuition balances must be paid in full before dancers can take costumes home during costume pick-up week. Summer session balances or any outstanding balances must be paid in full before registration can be processed for the upcoming session.

Refunds/Credits

Canceled classes: If a class is canceled for reasons other than inclement weather, either a make-up class will be held, or tuition will be adjusted.

Tuition/registration refund: If registration is canceled before the first day of class, a full tuition refund will be issued. If a dancer withdraws after the first day of class, a tuition refund will be issued and prorated from the date the Academy Manager is notified. Refunds will not be issued for classes missed due to individual circumstances. Registration fees (per class) are non-refundable.

Absences/Attendance

Attendance: Dancers in supplemental and Showcase ballet classes must average 60% attendance or higher from January 4th-March 13th, which will be assessed at spring break. Dancers whose attendance falls below 60% per supplemental and Showcase class will be placed on probationary status until April 15th, and must then demonstrate adequate knowledge and execution of performance dances before being permitted to perform in the Showcase.

Absence notification: Caregivers must notify OAB if their dancer will be absent from class. Caregivers should record their dancer's absence through the Jackrabbit parent portal to ensure that the absence is recorded and the instructor is notified.

Make-ups/Cancellations

Weather: Make-up classes will only be held if there are three (3) or more weather-related cancellations for a class during the school year. No refunds/tuition adjustments will be given for classes canceled due to inclement weather.

Classes: Individual dancers missing class because of illness, schedule conflicts, etc. may make up the missed class if there is room available in another class of the same level. Make-up class must be made up within four (4) weeks of the absence.

Tuition: If a class is canceled for other reasons, either a make-up class will be held, or tuition will be adjusted. No refunds/tuition adjustments will be given for missed classes due to individual circumstances.

Transferability: Missed classes cannot be transferred to another registration period. The class must be made up during the same registration period, e.g., summer or school year.

Adjustments to schedule: OAB reserves the right to change the class schedule or faculty as necessary, including canceling or combining classes that do not meet minimum enrollment numbers.

Facility

Photography and Videotaping Policy: To maintain safety, minimize distractions, and respect the privacy of our dancers, photography and videography are not permitted in any OAB classes, rehearsals, demonstrations, or performances.

During Observation Week, classes will end five minutes early so caregivers may take individual photos of their dancer. Faculty will remind attendees that photos and videos are otherwise not allowed. OAB staff are authorized to take photos and videos for marketing and archival purposes. We appreciate your cooperation in respecting this policy.
Behavior: Dancers are expected to be attentive, quiet, and courteous while on OAB premises. Unacceptable behavior will result in communication between the teacher and caregiver. Continued unacceptable behavior will result in communication between the Artistic Director, instructor, and caregiver, and may result in dismissal from OAB.

Waiting Students: For safety, dancers in Boppin' Tots, Pre-Primary, and Primary 1–3 classes must be dropped off directly in their classroom or may wait with a caregiver in the lobby until class begins. Pick-up should be from either the classroom or the lobby. Dancers in Level 1 and above who do not drive themselves should remain inside the building until their caregiver has either parked or pulled up close enough for them to walk safely to the vehicle.

Caregivers/Family in the building: Caregivers are invited to wait in common areas. Common areas must be kept quiet. Siblings not in classes may not run or make unnecessary loud noise. Common areas should be kept clean. Please dispose of trash or recycling, and do not leave food items on the ground or furniture. If multiple warnings are given for noise or cleanliness without improvement, caregivers or other individuals may be asked to wait outside or in their vehicle.

Pick-up/Drop-off: OAB maintains a locked campus at all times. Dancers may be dropped off 15 minutes before their classes begin and must be picked up within 15 minutes of their class ending.

Inclement Weather: In the event of inclement weather, OAB will notify caregivers by 8:00 am (morning classes) and 2:00 pm (evening classes) of any cancellations. Notifications will be sent through email and push notifications, posted on social media, and listed on the OAB website. OAB does not follow Omaha Public Schools' inclement weather closings as daytime circumstances may change that allow for regularly scheduled evening classes.

Communication

Instructor communication: All written communication from OAB staff or instructors will be sent from either an OAB e-mail address or through the class registration system. Under certain circumstances, an OAB instructor may need to speak with a caregiver by phone or through an in-person meeting. If a caregiver wishes to speak directly with an OAB instructor, they should contact the OAB front desk to request a return phone call or in-person meeting.

Private Lessons

Protocol: OAB dancers: Dancers may schedule private lessons with an OAB teacher. The dancer's account will be charged the individual instructor's private teaching hourly rate plus a $5 rental fee, provided a front desk associate or other administrative staff is already in the building. If a front desk associate must be scheduled, the rental fee will increase to $25. Dancer accounts must be current on payments before private lessons can be scheduled.

Protocol: Non-OAB dancers: Dancers may schedule private lessons with an OAB instructor. The dancer will be charged the individual instructor's private teaching hourly rate plus a $10 rental fee, provided a front desk associate or other administrative staff is already in the building. If a front desk associate must be scheduled, the rental fee will increase to $25.

Lesson size: Private lessons are limited to 1–2 dancers with an OAB instructor. We do not allow more than 2 people in a private lesson, as any additional dancers would be considered a class rather than a private session.

Class Placements/Student Evaluations

Supplemental classes: OAB strongly believes that ballet is the foundation for all supplemental classes. Therefore, dancers who are new to a supplemental class must enroll in at least one ballet class and maintain ballet enrollment for the entire year. If they have already taken a specific supplemental class, this does not apply. OAB strongly suggests that all dancers enroll in ballet.

Ballet Evaluation schedule: Dancers will be evaluated during ballet classes according to the skills and techniques identified for their level, as well as classroom behavior. These evaluations will occur at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Caregivers will receive a written evaluation form from the instructor, along with notes about classroom behaviors and up-to-date attendance information.

Push classes (Ballet Level 1 and up): Dancers looking for an additional challenge may be eligible for a push class. Dancers enrolled in the recommended number of classes for their current level who demonstrate consistent attendance, strong technique, and skill proficiency may be invited to join a push class mid-fall semester. The decision to invite a dancer will be made at the sole discretion of the Artistic Director and current ballet instructor(s). To be considered for a push class, please enroll your dancer in the recommended number of classes specifically for their current level. They must consistently attend recommended classes to maintain push class enrollment.

Placement Process: All class placements for the upcoming season are at the sole discretion of the Artistic Director and OAB faculty, and take into account dancer attendance, technique, and skill proficiency.

Pointe Shoe Policy:
This policy follows the safety standards recommended by the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum – Healthy Dancer Guidelines to ensure that all students begin pointe work safely and at an age and developmental stage appropriate for long-term success.
Students entering Level Three may be eligible to begin pointe work, provided they meet the following requirements:
Ballet Level: Students must be enrolled in Ballet Level 3.
Age Requirement: Students must be at least 11 years old.
Instructor Recommendation: Eligibility will be determined by the student’s ballet instructor based on strength, alignment, and overall readiness.
Class Attendance History: Students must have taken a minimum of two ballet classes per week before beginning pointe.
Current Registration: Students must be registered for at least two ballet technique classes per week during the year they begin pointe.
If a dancer meets all other requirements but does not turn 11 before the August pointe shoe fitting, they will begin pointe work after their 11th birthday. A fitting will be scheduled for them at that time so they may safely join pointe class once age-eligible.
A designated pointe shoe fitting date will be scheduled in August for eligible dancers. All students must be properly fitted before beginning pointe work. Sewing and shoe-preparation videos will be provided so dancers can arrive to their first pointe class fully prepared.
Students enrolled in the pre-pointe program may order pre-pointe shoes through Bobby’s Dancewear.
Student safety, readiness, and long-term physical health remain our highest priorities. All placement decisions are made with thoughtful consideration of each dancer’s individual development.