"All Star Rhythmic World" is a one-person shop owned by Coach Alysia (Yan Wu). As this sport is popular both to Asian and Eastern Europeans, the school's student body consists of 90% Asian and 10% Eastern Europeans. Since the coach herself is a Chinese American, it has very high concentration of Chinese students.
Rhythmic Gymnastics (RG) is quite weak in the US, especially by comparison with Artistic Gymnastics. The competition level is from Level 4 - Level 10. Olympian status is more senior than Level 10.
Coach Alysia's shop has only Level 6 as its top level. A nearby gym, however, "Gymnatics World, LLC" in Woodbridge, VA (http://gymnasticsworldva.com), has a couple of girls in Level 7 to Level 10; another, "Capital Gymnastics" Darnestown, MD (http://capitalrhythmics.com), has produced one 2012 Summer Olympian, and also has a couple of Level 7 to Level 10 girls. Therefore, academically speaking, All Star Rhythmic Gymnastics is a relatively low- grade shop.
Nevertheless, this gym has a lot of students lately since it is in the DC metro area and has no competition on the NOVA sides of the Beltway. Plus, Chinese parents are so hilarious about their children. They would like to pay everything for their kids' education. But, some parents are still leaving simply because Coash Alysia loves money more than the sport itself. Her nickname is "Money Lover". She has highest class fee collection in the region.
Here are some of her policies:
1. Each term, 20% down payment ahead for the program you choose (if you try to terminate your contract with her in the middle of term, sorry, you are out of luck. This down payment is nonrefundable.) ;
2. $25 late fee if you pay the monthly fee later than the first day of your class in the month (She will remember clearly when it is your first day of class. If you turn in the fee during your second class, even though it is only a 2 or 3 days later, then you are still out of luck and she will go after you for the late fee.);
3. Registration fee $95. It is unlike other clubs, where they use part of this fee to pay for USAG membership. This fee is paying nothing, but for her;
4. If you choose to be on the team, it is even more bizarre. Each team member has to pay her nonrefundable $300 for a musical, choreographic edition of the program;
5. Plus, you have to agree on paying her "transportation" costs--$0.5/mile, hotel, meals ($40/day), plus floor time at $180/day;
6. Other than that, you need to pay in advance $900 to cover her cost and USAG membership required by competition;
7. What is most shocking is the monthly fee you are paying is double all other clubs' fee nearby;
8. You have make-up time only twice in the year in a specific time she dedicates. She will use all public school holidays for her private lessons instead of make-up class. All in all, her money-making is clearly her top if not sole priority.
This person is greedy. She will lay a hand on you to get money whenever she can. When you deal with her, try not to express much interest to her until she offers you some discount or waives a late fee in your summer camp selection. Don't decide anything onsite. Take the proposed contract and do some homework.
One thing about referral to this club is to understand the person's position. Certainly, his/her daughter(s) is there. Higher team member enrollment means lower fees paid by each individual since the coach's fee is shared. Also, you should understand where she/he stands. What is his/her profession? Attorney, Doctor, Mutual fund managers... Those people don't pay attention to money much. They just want to pave the road for their children's education.
If you are like me--just an ordinary person who lives on a paycheck each month--you should definitely stay away from this place. Being a team member, you will turn out to pay a monthly fee of $550--or even more. But I guarantee you that you will get a better service someplace else with half that price.
When choosing a club, you should understand what your purpose is. If it is being a strong candidate for higher levels, then this is not the place. If it is just for fun or to increase your child's confidence, then choose a recreational program, not a team. You don't want to be skinned by her.
My daughter used to be there. As a parent, it was hilarious. I watched how the team students performed better than the recreation ones. I put my kid in the team program just wanting to push her into a high level. But, not a half a year had passed and my kid told me that she wanted to quit. "It is boring," she said. While we see all kinds of good performances, the kids have to repeat every day the same thing again and again for hours. It caused me to think if it is worth it. You paid tons money and your kids felt bored. What a scenario!
Please shop around before you sign up to this program. If you get into it, then unfortunately, you will come back to this board and agree with all I said here. By then, you will read more
