My daughters have both taken classes at Rock West. I am terribly disappointed! It is a poorly run school and very unprofessional. They ride on the reputation of Rock in Philadelphia, which is leagues above this school.
1) You cannot register online, even in this day and age, because they give preference to some students over others, based on skill. They keep everyone registering via paper so they can pick and choose who gets into the preferred classes. If your kid loves dance, and is good, she'll be shut out of classes to make room for the girls that show "promise." Unbelievable!
2) The teachers are unreliable and not that skilled. My daughters took a class that had a string of teachers in a matter of months. Not one would stick with it. I had to pull them out of that class. It was a waste of money and time.
3) They will charge you full price for costumes to share. In addition, if for any reason your daughter cannot participate in the showcase, she is asked to leave the class, despite having paid for it. If she stays, she is relegated to the back of the class - out of the way of the real stars. Incredibly obnoxious!
4) Never expect to get any money refunded to you. With more than a full month's notice that my daughter would not be able to participate in the showcase due to a family wedding, they refused to refund the costume charge. The director actually advised me to take it home and let my daughter use it as a Halloween costume, "or donate it and get a tax break on your income." I kid NOT! She was giving me tax advice!
It's a shabby outfit! And so expensive! That's why there is a revolving door up front. Few kids stick with it for long, with parental support to hit the road. read more
