Dear Sensei:

 

Your students are getting an absolutely fabulous deal from what they pay for your instruction. And yes, I think you are too nice about letting students not pay. You could at least charge a sliding scale fee based on the students income. And for those students who only show up once every 6 weeks you could charge a drop in fee of $10-20 per class.

 

We paid $50/hour for a tutor for our children, and music lessons were $50/month for 1/2 hour a week. This was for one on one teaching, which is different than a group class and I do not suggest that you charge $50 an hour per person for teaching a group class. However, It would seem logical and fair to be earning at least $50/hour for teaching a group class. If we pay $50/month/student for 2 nights/week at 3 hours/night you would need 24 paying students to get $50/hour. That would give you $1200/month.

 

It is quite a challenge to keep students coming back.  We have so many opportunities to try different activities, and many of those activities are offered on a short term basis. Team sports are active only for one season unless you get into a group that plays all year. For example classic soccer teams, or the Oregon City girls High School basketball program. For the most part they only last 3 months and are done until the next year. There are other things like skating, gymnastics, music, drama, etc. that are ongoing and probably have the same challenges with keeping students that karate and fencing groups have. How do these groups keep going? How do they inspire students to be dedicated to the activity? Or is it really up to the students to dedicate themselves and have the discipline to keep themselves going? So many things to ponder.

 

Best Regards,

 

DBeasley

 

 

 

 

 

I did a brief survey of the local dance and gymnastic schools in my
area. Generally, the dance schools have the lowest tuition ranging
from
$75 - $145 a month. The lower tuition schools (like the $75 a month)
is
typically for 1 class a week.

The Gymnastic Centers range from $80 - $275 a month. One gymnastic
school charges $400 a month for a "level 9" student. At that elite
level they are allowed to train every day. That same school charges
$250 a month for something called "level 3" which is 2 classes a
week.
The lower cost tuitions were usually gymnastics that were associated
with an existing dance school or fitness center. The higher tuitions
were stand-alone dedicated facilities.

Do not we, as martial arts professionals, make a greater impact on
society with our instruction? Maybe yes, maybe no... you tell me.

One thing I'd like to know, is what percentage of the population is
involved in dance, gymnastics and martial arts.

Mike.
__________________________________________________________
My son's drum lessons were $125.00 a month for 1/2 an hour once a
week!
side note on this he would not teach unless paid?
perhaps I should start along those paths.
Should nice sensei go away?