Terms of Service

1. General Provisions

These Terms and Conditions (the “Terms”) govern the provision of educational services by Shahov Animation School (the “School”) available through https://www.shahov.school.

By using the website and/or paying for classes, the parent or legal guardian confirms that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms in full.

2. Class Format

Classes are conducted live online via Zoom, either in a group with an instructor or as private lessons, depending on the selected class format.

The standard duration of each class is between 30 and 55 minutes, depending on the selected group, unless otherwise specified by the School.

The duration, format, and structure of classes are determined by the School and may be modified by the School as necessary.

3. Instructors

Shahov Animation School reserves the right to substitute or change the instructor assigned to a class at any time without prior notice.

A change of instructor does not constitute grounds for class cancellation, rescheduling, a refund, or any other form of compensation.

4. Use of Educational Materials

During classes, Shahov Animation School may use pre-prepared and/or pre-recorded video materials, presentations, and other educational resources.

The use of such materials does not change the class format and does not constitute grounds for modifying the applicable terms, rescheduling the class, or issuing a refund.

5. Participant Age Requirements

Classes are intended for children ages 6 and older.

The parent or legal guardian is responsible for determining whether participation is appropriate for the child based on the child’s age, interests, skill level, and individual needs.

6. Class Dates and Schedule

Class dates and times are determined by Shahov Animation School.

Current information regarding available class dates and times is provided during enrollment and is subject to the School’s schedule and availability.

7. Time Zone

All classes are scheduled according to New York time — Eastern Time (ET).

When confirming a class date and time, the parent or legal guardian is responsible for accounting for any time zone differences. The School is not responsible for missed classes resulting from an incorrect time zone conversion.

8. Trial Classes

The School offers the opportunity to participate in a trial class.

The trial class is provided solely for introductory purposes and is intended to familiarize the student and parent or legal guardian with the class format, instructor, and learning process.

The School does not guarantee any specific educational, creative, or technical outcomes from participation in a trial class.

9. Registration and Advance Enrollment

To participate in classes, the parent or legal guardian must contact a representative of Shahov Animation School in advance to confirm class availability and available scheduling options.

After the class format, dates, and times have been agreed upon, the parent or legal guardian must complete a registration or pre-enrollment form and provide the following information:

• Parent’s or legal guardian’s full name and the child’s full name

• Child’s age

• Email address

• City of residence

• Contact phone number

Pre-enrollment does not guarantee automatic enrollment and is subject to confirmation by the School of available class space and scheduling.

A child is considered officially enrolled only after the class date and time have been confirmed with a School representative and payment has been received through Shahov Animation School’s official payment system.

10. Payment, Scheduling, and Rescheduling Policy

Payment for classes is processed through Stripe. The School does not store your credit or debit card information.

By paying for classes, the parent or legal guardian confirms their agreement to the School’s policies regarding scheduling, attendance, missed classes, and rescheduling.

10.1. Group Classes

Group classes cannot be rescheduled to different days or weeks.

If a student misses a class, the missed class may be made up only by attending another available group during the same week. Make-up attendance must be approved in advance by the School administration and is subject to space availability. Missed classes cannot be carried over to future weeks or saved for later use.

By paying for classes, the parent or legal guardian of the child (student) agrees to the class schedule established by Shahov Animation School and is responsible for ensuring that the child (student) attends classes according to that schedule.

If a student misses a group class for any reason, the class will be considered provided and used. No refund, credit, rescheduling, or other compensation will be provided for missed group classes.

10.2. Private Lessons

A private lesson may be rescheduled if the School administration is notified at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time and an alternative time is available.

A private lesson may be rescheduled no more than once per calendar month.

If a private lesson is canceled less than 24 hours before its scheduled start time, the lesson will be considered provided and is not eligible for a refund, credit, or other compensation.

If the student does not attend a private lesson without providing at least 24 hours’ advance notice and arranging a new date with the School, the lesson will be considered provided and is not eligible for a refund, credit, or other compensation.

11. Enrollment Freeze (Annual Plans Only)

A student enrolled in an annual plan is eligible to place their enrollment on hold for vacation for a total of up to 21 calendar days per year.

Enrollment freeze conditions:

• Each freeze must be for a minimum of 7 consecutive calendar days.

• A freeze must be requested in advance, at least 7 calendar days before the requested start date, and is subject to approval by the School administration.

• Once the 21-day annual freeze allowance has been used, no additional tuition-free freezes or extensions will be permitted.

If a student takes a break from classes beyond the permitted freeze period and later returns to the School, a $50 registration fee will apply.

The School reserves the right to change the amount of the registration fee without prior notice to the student’s parent or legal guardian.

12. Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes depend on the child’s individual abilities, attention, pace of work, and level of engagement. Shahov Animation School does not guarantee any specific level of artistic achievement, rate of progress, or quality of the final animation.

13. Technical Requirements for Participation in 2D Animation Classes

To participate in 2D animation classes, students are required to have:

• An iOS or Android tablet with stylus support. A stylus is recommended but not required; students may draw with their finger if they prefer.

• The RoughAnimator app installed on the device.

• A stable internet connection.

• The ability to connect to Zoom.

The RoughAnimator app must be installed by the child’s parent or legal guardian before the class begins.

The price of the RoughAnimator app is determined by its developer. Shahov Animation School does not set or control the price and is not responsible for the cost, purchase terms, updates, availability, or functionality of the app.

Purchasing and installing RoughAnimator is the sole responsibility of the student’s parent or legal guardian.

Preparing the device and ensuring that the internet connection, Zoom, and required software are working properly before the class begins are the responsibility of the student and their parent or legal guardian.

For current information regarding the app, its pricing, compatibility, and terms of use, please refer to the developer’s official website:
https://www.roughanimator.com/

Shahov Animation School is not responsible for device or software incompatibility or for technical issues on the participant’s side, including, but not limited to, unstable internet connections, device malfunctions, or software errors or failures.

14. Technical Requirements for Participation in 3D Animation Classes (Blender)

To participate in 3D animation classes, students are required to have:

• A desktop or laptop computer running Windows or macOS.

• Blender software installed on the computer.

• A stable internet connection.

• The ability to connect to Zoom.

• A computer mouse. Use of a trackpad is not recommended.

Blender is third-party software that is independently developed and distributed by its developer. Shahov Animation School is not involved in the development, distribution, updating, or support of Blender.

Shahov Animation School is not responsible for the performance, functionality, updates, compatibility, system requirements, or availability of Blender software.

Installing Blender, verifying device compatibility, preparing the computer, and ensuring that the internet connection and Zoom are functioning properly before the class begins are the responsibility of the student and their parent or legal guardian.

For current information regarding Blender, its system requirements, and terms of use, please refer to the developer’s official website.

Shahov Animation School is also not responsible for technical issues on the participant’s side, including, but not limited to, insufficient device performance, hardware incompatibility, unstable internet connections, or software errors or failures.

15. Role of Parents and Legal Guardians

At the beginning of the class, adult assistance may be required to help the child connect to Zoom. After that, the child is expected to participate independently under the instructor’s guidance.

16. Technical Issues and Force Majeure

The School is not responsible for interruptions to internet service caused by:

• Weather conditions

• Natural disasters

• Internet service provider outages

• Other unforeseen circumstances beyond the School’s reasonable control

If a class cannot be conducted due to technical issues on the School’s side, the class will be rescheduled.

17. Payments and Refunds

All payments are final. Once a class has been purchased, no refunds will be issued.

18. Class Rescheduling by the School

Shahov Animation School reserves the right to reschedule classes in the event of unforeseen technical, operational, or other circumstances.

In such cases, the student will be offered an alternative class date.

19. Intellectual Property and Restrictions

All class and course materials are the intellectual property of Shahov Animation School.

Without the prior written permission of Shahov Animation School, the following are prohibited:

• Copying, distributing, publishing, or otherwise reproducing class or course materials.

• Using the structure, methodology, curriculum, or concepts of the School’s courses to create substantially similar educational products or programs.

• Establishing or operating an online or in-person school with a substantially similar concept or curriculum for a period of five (5) years following completion of the course.

In the event of a violation of this provision, the client, parent, or legal guardian of the child shall be responsible for reimbursing the School for all costs, expenses, and damages incurred as a result of the violation.

20. Contact Information
    
    For questions regarding registration, class participation, or the use of gift certificates, a parent or legal guardian may contact the School using the contact information provided on the official website:

    https://www.shahov.school

21. Acceptance of Terms

    By purchasing a class or gift certificate, the child’s parent or legal guardian confirms that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms in full.

22. Changes to These Terms

     

    Shahov Animation School reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time without prior notice.