Education Program Policies & Expectations

We developed the following guidelines to make sure that all our students have a great experience at Wheelock Family Theatre. We expect that our students will learn a lot, be safe, and have a great time at Wheelock Family Theatre!  Thanks for reviewing this document with your child and indicating your agreement by signing the consent form on the preceding page.

ACCESS & INCLUSION
Wheelock Family Theatre makes every possible effort to accommodate students with special needs and physical or cognitive disabilities. Families are encouraged to provide Wheelock Family Theatre with any necessary information during registration to help us assess such needs. Click here to learn more.

APPROPRIATE DRESS
Our classes are physical and involve movement, so students should wear comfortable clothes and appropriate footgear.  (Bare feet, flip-flops, Crocs, etc., are unsafe and not appropriate.)

ATTENDANCE
It is expected that students enrolled in our programs take their commitment seriously. Attendance is expected for every class meeting. We ask that you contact(wfted@bu.edu or 617-353-2994) a member of our education team if a child is unable to attend a class or rehearsal and that the child be absent only in the case of emergency or illness.

BEFORE CARE & AFTER CARE
Before care (8am to 9am) and after care (3:30pm to 5:00pm) will be available for all vacation programs for an additional fee. You’ll have the option to purchase by day or for the entire week.

CLASS GUESTS
We ask that parents not attend classes with their children. It is our experience that children do best if unaccompanied. All classes are participatory, and observation by non-participants can be inhibiting.  Friends and family are invited to attend demonstrations and presentations on the final day of class when applicable.

CODE OF CONDUCT
We expect that students will behave appropriately and respectfully.  If a student exhibits behavior that disrupts the class, including verbal abuse and vandalism, we’ll first speak with the student.  If the behavior is repeated, we’ll contact you.  And, if the behavior is repeated a third time, we’ll need to dismiss the student from the program without a refund. We expect that students will be considerate of others, physically and verbally, at all times and will refrain from rough-housing.

DROP OFF AND PICK UP
For weekend programs, drop off and pick up both occur in the theatre lobby where students will be signed in upon arrival and signed out at dismissal by a staff person.  For vacation week and summer programs, drop off and pick up occur along Pilgrim Road behind the theatre.  Please refer to additional instructions in welcome emails sent prior to the start of each program.

ENROLLMENT & CLASS AGES
All programs (except those designated as audition based) enroll on a first-come-first-served basis. Programs are limited in size and contingent upon adequate enrollment. Advertised age/ grade brackets are strictly upheld per class. Students who fall outside of a class’s age/grade bracket will be waitlisted and considered for enrollment only if circumstances allow. All summer programming refers to a student’s anticipated grade in the fall of that year.

INCLEMENT WEATHER
All registered families will be emailed if class is cancelled due to weather. You can also contact a member of our education team (wfted@bu.edu or 617-353-2994) for updates on classes.

LATE PICK-UP
Please pick up your child on time.  Parents will be assessed a $10 fee per half-hour if more than 15 minutes late.

LIABILITY
We expect that students will stay on the premises in designated, supervised areas.  We accept responsibility for your child only when enrolled as a student during specified class times.  Wheelock Family Theatre is not liable for the well-being and safety of children who are around any of our facilities before a program begins or after a program ends.

MAKE-UP POLICY
Wheelock family Theatre does not guarantee that classes cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control (i.e. weather, power outage) will be made up; no refunds will be issued. We do not offer make-up classes due to a child’s inability to attend.

NUT-FREE PROGRAM
What you send for snacks is limited only by your imagination—and our nut-free policy.  No tree nuts or peanuts, please!

PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY
Wheelock Family Theatre and contracted photographers reserve the right to use photos and videos taken in class/camp for promotional and archival purposes. The taking of photographs, videotaping, and the use of recording devices is not permitted during performances of copyrighted material.

REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION/RECEIPT
Online registrants should receive automatic confirmation via email. For those who register with a paper form, a confirmation email will be sent within five business days. If you have any questions about registration, please contact (wfted@bu.edu or 617-353-2994) a member of our education team

REFUNDS & CANCELLATIONS
Your full payment will be refunded when a class is already full or canceled due to low enrollment. If the scheduled time, location, or content of a class is changed after payment has been received, you will be contacted and offered the options of continuing with the class or receiving a full refund. Otherwise requests for refunds for Saturday classes must be made four week before the start of the class AND requests for refunds for one week and three week classes must be made six weeks before the start of the class.

To request a refund, please contact (wfted@bu.edu or 617-353-2994) a member of our education team Refund requests made after this time will be offered the option to transfer registration to an upcoming program or credit to be used toward future programming within the calendar year.

RELEASE AGREEMENT
We (parent/guardian and student(s)) have read the Wheelock Family Theatre (WFT) Education Program Rules & Expectations (below) and we agree with them. I understand that my child may be dismissed permanently from class if s/he does not follow the rules set by WFT and/or if a disciplinary problem arises. I understand that my child will be under the supervision of WFT staff and appointees. I understand that despite the responsible supervision that WFT will make in this connection, WFT cannot guarantee against the possibility of an accident involving my child. I hereby waive any claim that might be made against WFT, its employees, and its agents in connection with any injury my child may incur, other than claim resulting from the gross negligence of WFT, its employees, or its agents

Tuition Assistance
Full and partial support for programs is available and awarded on the basis of financial need. Click here to request tuition assistance.

Last updated July 2026