Thread: How many students do you need to continue?

Hello Teachers out there!

I have a class with very low attendance. It is at a yoga studio and it is the only dance class at the place (other than the occasional hoop workshop).

I am a new teacher still trying to gain a student base. I took this gig to replace the teacher that was there before. It doesn't pay much, only $6 per student for a 90 min class.

The class started out in Jan and the first week I only had two students, then 4-5, then back to 2-3, etc...until in late feb, I had two classes where no one showed up! I only have 1 registered student, the rest are drop-ins.

I talked to the studio owner and she said we should do a free class with lots of advertising to see if more people would come...of course there were like 8 students there (unpaid of course). The studio owner said that I should have at least 3-4 registered students by the following week and if I didn't I should consider cancelling the class.

Well, only 3 students came the following week...one already registered, one wanted to register and one said she wasn't sure. When I told them that I may cancel the class because I couldn't get enough students, they said they wanted me to continue. I want to continue for their sake, but is it worth it?

There are 6 more weeks left in the session. I will be out of town next week anyway, and since I can't find a sub, I will have to cancel that class anyway. My gut it telling me to let it go. I have other opportunities to teach elsewhere, where I can make twice as much. I just hate feeling like I failed and I hate letting down the students that I can count on...c::

The yoga studio owner is completely understanding and is willing to let me do what I need to do. She's says three is the minimum for a successful class and anything less than that is too hard.

What is your opinion?

I feel your pain. It's very hard starting out in a small studio. I recently took a job at a pilates studio and we're in the same situation. The owner started out with just a drop in class and it would vary from week to week. The weather was a huge factor.

We talked about it and decided session classes would be our best option. We had people pay up front for the entire session that way if they didn't show up we still had their money.

We also added a punch card for people who couuldn't make every week but wanted to "drop in" when they could. They would have to pay up front for a 5 or 10 class punch card that could be used for any of the offered classes ind it's good for a 3 month period.

Changing to both of these formats seems to be helping keep the classes running as she continues to get her studio's name out there. Now that teh weather is warming up, we're seeing an increase in all of the classes.

You may want to suggest these with your owner before dropping the class completely.

Best of luck to you!

Hi There,

I run my own classes and find dance studios/yoga studios who are willing to rent out their space, but no one pays me. If I get enough students that pay for the studio rental and there is money left over that is extra for me to either get other things for the students etc., or to help pay some credit card bills!

I have found that advertising ahead of time to current and potential students for a new session gives time to offer free classes and then gain new students.

For my current students I let them know that I need a minimum of 4 people per class to sign up before a deadline date in order to continue a class.

I have done the class card thing before, but find it is safer especially when first starting out to charge for the full session. Like the other poster said, it guarantees you have the money to continue teaching no matter what the happens with students from week to week. I think class cards are a better option once you've got a solid set of students that always come, then class card options for more flexibility can work. Also charging a per class rate for drop ins could work, that way students only pay for what they come to if they are drop-ins because even with a class card they may not use it all within a specific time period which doesn't matter so much to us as teachers if we already have their money, but maybe it matters to them?

My current dilemma is that one class is larger than the other, so even if people miss classes there are at least 2-3 people there. The other class only has 4-5 people on a regular basis, and now 2 can't make that class anymore. That leaves 3, which means only 3 people would be registering and paying for that class by the deadline which is one less than what I prefer. I am considering putting everyone into one class again, but one student in particular is doing really well, and if I move everyone into one class its on a day she can't always make it to, and then she won't progress as fast. I know I can't please everyone, but I wonder if I should keep that class going or not?

I guess in the end it just depends on the financial situation and whether after registrations I will have enough money to continue that second class past a month.

Anyways, hope that helps too.

I also recently started teaching at a yoga studio that *just opened*. The owner has had quite a bit of experience with running studios and know that things can be slow to start out...I have a guaranteed wage for $55/hour regardless of how many students show up because it's my time that is getting paid for.

She also realizes that in order to get students in the door, you sometimes have to entice them...she offered a 2for1 special for all of my beginner sessions this term to encourage people to get into the door. but, my pay, in no way was ever compromised.

You need to make sure that your time is getting paid for; our experience does not come cheap and it's not worth less if you don't have as many students as you would like.

If you taught here (in Canada) you would need to have 14 students to get paid what you should be. With your 3 students at $6 each...you're only getting paid $12/hour...

Originally Posted by Caliana_flame

Hi There,
I have found that advertising ahead of time to current and potential students for a new session gives time to offer free classes and then gain new students.

For my current students I let them know that I need a minimum of 4 people per class to sign up before a deadline date in order to continue a class.

I have done the class card thing before, but find it is safer especially when first starting out to charge for the full session. Like the other poster said, it guarantees you have the money to continue teaching no matter what the happens with students from week to week. I think class cards are a better option once you've got a solid set of students that always come, then class card options for more flexibility can work. Also charging a per class rate for drop ins could work, that way students only pay for what they come to if they are drop-ins because even with a class card they may not use it all within a specific time period which doesn't matter so much to us as teachers if we already have their money, but maybe it matters to them?

The problem with that is I don't get paid when students don't show up...so if one student pays for a whole session and misses five classes I only get paid for the times that they show up...the studio pockets the rest of the money. And there is already a drop in rate and policy set up for those students...which I find very hard in a belly dancing class. I mean if you never know who is going to show up, how can the class progress?

Another problem is, it's studio policy that every new student gets to take their first class for free...so since I always have new students coming in and out, then I never make any money! So last week I had one registered, one drop in and one new student...so I only made $12 for 90 min!!! I get paid a base rate of $12 if no students show up, so what is the incentive to continue teaching?

If I ever branch out and find a new place to teach I will make sure students pre-register and I will consider class cards.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

. My gut it telling me to let it go. I have other opportunities to teach elsewhere, where I can make twice as much.

I've kept some of my classes going through some pretty lean times before. It does take time to build a class, and building a business does mean you can't quit when things are lean.

BUT if your gut is saying let it go, and you have other opportunities, then it's time to move on. You didn't fail, you learned something and/or graduated on to something better. Not every teaching opportunity is going to work out, some will be a better fit than others.

Part of what I like about belly dance class,
are the interactions, friendships, & sharing that a class does.

So- I would try to put everybody in one class. (on a day they can all make it)
The interactions between the students may inspire them to sign up again,
and to want to be part of the belly dance community.
You would have to teach the class as an 'all levels' though. . .

I teach many all levels classes-
and they work nicely.
(even if a classes is billed as beginner, I will teach it all levels)
The beginners are comfortable & can see the next levels of progression
in the other class members.
I want to work each student to the best of *their* ability.

Teaching all levels does require planning ahead
to make sure what you teach can be done be the beginners
as well as kicked-up a bit to challenge the more advanced student.

Yes, definitley don't give up right away. It does take time and although it can be very frustrating, in the end I think things work out the way they should. There is always that possibility of just looking for another place who is hiring, or just teaching on your own (take the students that you already have if they are interested in moving elsewhere with you).

Egypt Dancer thanks. Yes I have considered doing all levels in one. I am just not sure if I can plan this quickly to move everyone into one class. What I might do is hand out a survey to the students to find out if I did put everyone back into what class what day they can all come, as well as a time. I have been finding with my students that its not just day that is an issue, but times. Because I am in school full-time for nursing, I also have to look at what days are best for me and go from there. I am thinking that I might try and do the one class a week for everyone when i do a short summer session from July to August. That way people have time to think about the one day that would be best for them, if I do it for the new session starting in April it might be springing it on them too soon and they won't be prepared (plus I may not find studio space to suit that change quickly enough).

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

The problem with that is I don't get paid when students don't show up...so if one student pays for a whole session and misses five classes I only get paid for the times that they show up...the studio pockets the rest of the money. And there is already a drop in rate and policy set up for those students...which I find very hard in a belly dancing class. I mean if you never know who is going to show up, how can the class progress?

This doesn't sound right to me. If the students pay for the full session, and you are supposed to get paid $6 per student per class, then you should get paid for those students, regardless of whether they then choose to show up or not.

Another problem is, it's studio policy that every new student gets to take their first class for free...so since I always have new students coming in and out, then I never make any money! So last week I had one registered, one drop in and one new student...so I only made $12 for 90 min!!! I get paid a base rate of $12 if no students show up, so what is the incentive to continue teaching?

This is fishy too. If the studio owner wants to offer incentives to new students, that's fine, but it shouldn't come out of YOUR compensation.

Honestly, I think your gut feeling is right...you should probably let this one go and pursue other opportunities. I know it's tough to let a class go, but sometimes we have to do what's in the interest of our business.

Also, don't feel like you are letting those students down. It sounds like these are fairly new students and not terribly consistent anyway. Remember that they could have a variety of reasons for pushing you to stay (the location is convenient for them, the price is right, etc.). If they care about belly dance enough, they will find a new class or maybe even follow you to a new location.

Nisaa

I don't like the fact that the studio pockets the money if the students don't show. They paid, whether they are there or not, you should get your share.

Aside from that, sometimes you just have to let a class go. Bad location, bad class time, not enough advertising - whatever the reason, some classes just don't take off. Just make sure you have the contact info for the dancers that you have - that way you can let them know when and where you are teaching next so they don't feel let down when you leave. They can come to your new/other class!

I did this one - gave up on a pay-per-student class where I was making $0-16 per class for the most part. I got all the email addresses for the students that did come, and they came to my other classes. One of my advanced students (who is now one of my best friends) came from that class!

It's funny how when I started I was like --Oh, pay per student--that's so good...I was expecting 7-8 students...That would be $42-48 per class. But then there were all these loop holes...not getting paid for registered students who don't come to class, low attendance, and not getting paid for the free pass students. I've been averaging $12 for the last month. ICK! Not worth it.

My other class at another studio I get $30 per hour (class is 1 hour, not 90 min). It's not much, but I can always count on it, you know?

When I started out over five years ago, my first class was small. There were times I wanted to just cancel the class (I got paid per student also). Then, after about a year, (yes, patience....) things picked up. I then added an intermediate/advanced/performance class and it went really well for a long time. Then, eventually, one by one, people left when they could take a college class for a LOT cheaper with a great instructor to boot! It was okay for a while as I still had a good attendance in class (10 - 12 students). Well, then I had a series of people leaving for different reasons, school, timing, etc. and my really strong class has fallen down to about 5 or 6 students. I guess what I am trying to say, is that it may pick up over time, but there are times of the year, holidays, and summer vaction, where classes fluctuate quite a bit. Last year I took the whole month of December off and my class hasn't been quite the same. Some students didn't return.

Good luck - I'm sure you will make the right decision.

Update: I just cancelled the class. It felt right.