Lawrence Arts Center — Attraction in Lawrence

That would be zero stars if it were possible. We left the Arts Center years ago after watching kids seemingly get preferential treatment for roles based on how much money their parents donated or how well they knew the director. Roles were not always cast based on talent. We also had an experience where a teacher, Betsy McCafferty, allowed a 6 year old girl to remain in dance class even though she would run around and kick other students, hurting my own daughter more than once. Ironically, that is the reason we returned to the Arts Center. My very energetic 4 year old grandson begged to take a dance class and my 5 year old daughter wanted to take one with him. I thought the teacher who handled that 6 year old girl could handle a little boy who had never done a structured activity before. I was wrong. She complained about him to the director, Hanan Misko, after his second week. I received an email from the director and called as he requested. He never called me back, though I believe my message said the teacher had asked me to participate to help my grandson transition into class. She had, indeed, asked me to participate in the class and be my grandson's helper. I ended up offending her (I suppose when I questioned her trying to kick my grandson out of class for the day) and got a call from the dance director, Hanan Misko. He kept telling me it wasn't a mommy/me class an didn't seem to hear me the 3 times I told him the instructor had asked me to participate. He also did not observe the class before sending emails or making calls, even though he told me he always observes a class when he receives a concern. He ended up offering me a partial refund for all of the classes my family was enrolled in. We believe they owe us more than they are willing to refund. The real kicker? I didn't enroll my grandson in the class, his mother did. The director never spoke with her at all about this. When I told him I'd relayed the information to my daughter, he said thank you instead of asking for her contact information (which is on my grandson's enrollment sheet!). The teacher never discussed any concerns with my grandson's mother, either. Oh, and the teacher hasn't been disciplined for discriminating against a little boy as...

If I could give zero of negative stars I would! My 4 year old son was taking Preschool Dance II with Betsy McCafferty and was kicked out of class because after years of teaching she doesn't know how to handle a highly energetic kid. Despite girls in the class breaking rules, running around, hanging on bars, my son was the one asked not to come back. I was NEVER contacted about this situation. The director of the dance department reached out to my mother. Even after she said she explained she was the grandmother, no one made an attempt to contact me. Even after offering and discussing a refund with my mother, no one has contacted ME to make a refund offer or notify me that I will even be receiving one. I will be filing official complaints within the company and we will NEVER be...

I have been bringing my grandchildren to the art classes for 2 summers. Nice programs except the way kid's are let off and picked up. I have waited at least 10 min each day for kids to be taken to classes. This is excessive and makes things difficult if there are other kids with you.They should have a sign up sheet and allow kids into specific rooms. Parents pay good money for these classes and it seems ridiculous to hang out in the lobby for inderminable...