Policies and Information | Join Our ASL Community Today

CLASS POLICIES & REGISTRATION INFO

Welcome to ASL Philly! To ensure a supportive, accessible, and smooth learning environment for all students and instructors, please review our community policies and registration guidelines before completing your enrollment.

1. Semester Schedule & Location

Each semester runs for 8 weeks. Registration is for a specific section (day and time). Students remain in their selected section for the duration of the semester. When registering, please review all class dates to ensure you can attend consistently. You will need to register again for future semesters.

All 8‑week classes take place in person at: Kids on 12th School 1112 Chestnut St, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia

2. "Voice-Off" Policy

To honor Deaf culture and create a fully immersive learning environment, all ASL Philly courses observe a strict voice‑off (no talking) policy during instructional time. Learning visually is essential to developing strong ASL skills and respecting signing spaces.

3. Age Requirement

Our group classes are designed for mature learners. The minimum age for enrollment is 16 years old.

4. Accessibility & Sliding-Scale Pricing

To help keep our classes accessible to everyone in our community, we offer sliding‑scale pricing between $160–$360 per 8‑week course. Please choose the rate that best reflects your financial situation. Paying at a higher tier helps us offer reduced‑cost spots to others.

If you cannot afford the minimum rate: You may share what you are able to pay on the registration form. You will be placed on our waiting list, and if seats remain as we approach the start of the semester, we will reach out based on availability.

5. Registration & Payment Terms

To enroll, please complete the registration form on our website. You will receive an invoice via email within 2 business days. Submitting the form reserves your place in line, but your spot is confirmed only once payment is received.

Payment options include:

ACH bank transfer (no fee)
Credit card via PayPal (small processing fee)

If you need to pay in two installments or have other payment needs, please note this on the registration form and we will follow up.

6. Refund & Cancellation Policy

Because class sizes are intentionally small to support interactive learning, we follow this cancellation timeline:

Cancellations: You may cancel up to 14 days before the first class to receive a full refund, minus a $20 processing fee.

Late Withdrawals: Cancellations made fewer than 14 days before the semester begins, or after classes have started, are eligible for class credit only, evaluated on a case‑by‑case basis. No cash refunds will be issued after this window.

Low Enrollment: If a section does not meet minimum enrollment, we may need to cancel it. You will be offered a transfer to another open section or a full refund.

7. Attendance, Makeup Classes, & Building Closures

Consistency is key when learning a visual language.

Makeup Classes: Students may attend one makeup class per semester. Makeups should ideally be completed during the same week as the absence to stay aligned with the curriculum.

Weather & Emergency Closures: ASL Philly follows official city and school district closure protocols. If Kids on 12th School closes due to weather or emergencies, classes will be canceled. We will communicate makeup options if this occurs.

8. Course Placement

Beginners: No prior experience is required for Level 1.

Returning or Experienced Students: During our first semester, we are offering Level 1 only. As we grow, we will add additional levels and work with students to determine the best placement.

9. Media & Photography Release

We occasionally take photos or short videos during class for our website, social media, and promotional materials.

If you prefer not to be photographed or included in any media, please note this on your registration form so we can notify your instructor.

Learning Philosophy and Community Agreements

An Immersive, Deaf‑Centric Space ASL Philly brings people together through language, culture, and community. We are building a welcoming space where people of all backgrounds can learn ASL, deepen their understanding of Deaf culture, and connect with others in a supportive, interactive environment.

We celebrate a diverse community of learners and believe that everyone deserves to feel respected, valued, and supported in our space. We ask all students to engage with kindness, cultural humility, and openness. Disrespectful or harmful behavior toward any member of our community will not be tolerated, as we work together to maintain a safe, inclusive, and Deaf‑centric learning environment.

We approach ASL learning with cultural humility, recognizing that Deaf instructors and community members are the experts of their language and culture. We encourage curiosity, active participation, and a willingness to learn and unlearn.

We also ask students to stay present and engaged during class. ASL is a visual, interactive language, and your attention helps create a strong learning environment for everyone.

We believe learning ASL extends beyond the classroom, into building relationships, fostering accessibility, and honoring the rich history and experiences of the Deaf community. We’re just getting started, and we’re excited to grow alongside our students. Thank you for being part of the journey.