Woodlawn Arts Academy is committed to the health and safety of our guests and staff. All in-person programming is subject to state and local mandates for civil emergencies and pandemics. Woodlawn will follow recommendations for school and recreation facilities.

Updated 7/2/2023

Woodlawn runs five eight-week sessions for most classes and lessons. Please check your class or lesson listing for exact dates.

Woodlawn Arts Academy will be open most school holidays. Holidays we are closed are listed on the Calendar.

Students may register for classes online, by phone or in person. Online registration is not available for dance classes, theatre productions, any private lessons or other select programs. Tuition for classes must be paid in full at the time of registration. Registration is not complete until payment is made or financial assistance is in place. Registrations are due one week prior to the start of the course. If classes do not meet the minimum they will be cancelled and all registered participants will be notified three business days prior to the first day of the class. A full refund or credit will be given should this occur. It is imperative to sign up before the class begins. See the Calendar for specific registration dates. No early registrations will be taken.

Woodlawn is committed to serving all members of the community. Financial assistance is available for those who qualify. To apply for financial assistance, pick up an application in the office or download one from this website. Fill out the application and turn it in with the required paperwork. Financial assistance takes two weeks to process and MUST be in place prior to registration. Registration is not complete until payment is made, or a payment plan and/or financial assistance is in place.

Please drop off and pick up your child at the appropriate time. Our instructors are only responsible for your child during their program time. We ask that all minors be escorted to and from class by an authorized adult. Many of Woodlawn’s programs run back-to-back. The teacher and office staff cannot monitor children in the hallway. Please be prompt when picking up your child. If for any reason you cannot promptly pick up your child, please call the main office at (815) 626-4278. Students must remain in the building until picked up.

For children 6 and under: At least one parent should stay in the lounge during any Woodlawn program in case of emergency. If you cannot stay with your child, please make arrangements with another family member for help and notify the staff.

For children 7 and older: Parents/family members are welcomed to wait during their artist’s program, but it is not required. Parental discretion is advised.

The individual registering a person for a WAA activity is the responsible party for payment. It is not the responsibility of Woodlawn Arts Academy to request payment from a third party for the customer. Payment for an activity is required upon the completion of every registration.

For any purchase over $20, we accept cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. Please note: For purchases under $20 and special-order clothing items, we accept only cash or check.

Refunds or credit vouchers may be given in extenuating circumstances, and are granted at the discretion of the administrative staff. Any refund made after a program begins will be prorated and credited to the customer’s account for use toward future Woodlawn programming. If enrolled in a Woodlawn program, a refund or credit may only be issued if you withdraw five business days prior to the first day of the program and the program has more than a minimum enrollment.

Students are required to call the office to report absences. No make-up lessons will be given if a student misses a class.

If an instructor is unable to teach a lesson or class, he or she will give 24 hours notice (when possible) & will reschedule the lesson or class during the designated make-up week at the end of the session. Class participants will be notified via text message and email. Please login to our registration portal or check with the main office to make sure your contact information is up to date.

In case of bad weather, class participants will be notified of cancellations via text message and email. Phone calls will not be made. Please login to our registration portal or check with the main office to make sure your contact information is up to date. Closures will also be announced on our website and social media. We will do our best to make up for weather cancellations.

The Academy takes photos and videos of activities to promote programs online and in print publications. If you do not want your photo or that of your child used in that way, please notify the office.

The Academy is community based and wants to hear your comments regarding successes and areas needing improvements. Please share your comments with a staff member.

Woodlawn Arts Academy understands that it may be necessary for parties to come forward with a complaint related to programs and staff of the Academy, or related to discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying. The Academy has established a procedure for resolving such concerns. The goal of the procedure is to address concerns, find solutions and resolve issues; however, not all complaints will result in a solution, remedy or resolution in favor of the complainant A complainant may be an individual who has a complaint or a witness to a situation/incident that should be addressed. It is the responsibility of all who are employed or who participate in Woodlawn Arts Academy programs to report incidents as noted above.

Step 1: Discuss the issue and potential solutions with the teacher or staff member.

Step 2: If not resolved, request a meeting with the supervisor of the teacher or staff member.

Step 3: Complete a Uniform Complaint Form and submit it to the Program Coordinator. If the complaint involves the Program Coordinator, the form may be submitted to the Executive Director. If the complaint involves the Executive Director, the form may be submitted to the WAA Board Chairperson.

Step 4: The administrator to whom the complaint was submitted will investigate and provide a written response to the complainant within 10 working days.

In all cases, the decision of the WAA Board shall be final.

Woodlawn Arts Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, sexual orientation and gender identity to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or immigration status, sexual orientation or gender identity in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.