Refunds and Policies

RefundsAdmissionsAccessibilityAnti-Bullying Policy and Complaint FormChildrenClass ClosuresEqual OpportunityFees and Class SizeInternational StudentsNotice About ChecksPre-RegistrationSmokingSpecial AccommodationUniform Complaint ProcedureWaiverStudent/Staff Privacy and Personal Information Policy

Computer Use Policy for Computer Classes

School-wide Student Conduct Expectations

Refund Policy for Career Tech Ed (Job Skills classes) and Community Education
Please choose your classes carefully. Refunds will be offered up to 1 business day before the start of the first class meeting (less a $10.00 administrative fee). After that, no refunds or transfer of fees will be issued unless a class is cancelled by the school. A visitor’s pass (good for 30 minutes) is available from the Main Office if you are unsure of a class. Speak with the instructor if you have questions about the class or your particular situation. An instructor may drop a student who misses five or more class hours, and no refund will be issued.

Refunds for Life-Long Learning and Adults With Disabilities Programs
You may participate in any of these classes once before deciding whether or not to register. Once you register no refunds are issued unless the class is canceled.

To request a refund please call the office at (510) 644-6130.


Admissions

Classes are open to adults 18 years and older. Children are not permitted in adult school classes.

Accessibility

Classes at our main site are wheelchair accessible via two elevators. If you require specific accommodation due to a disability, please call (510) 644-6130 and make your request at least two weeks in advance of your class start date.

Anti-Bullying Policy and Bullying Complaint Form

The Governing Board of the Berkeley Unified School District affirms that every student and staff member has the right to a safe and secure school environment, free of humiliation, intimidation, fear, harassment, or any form of bullying behavior. For more information, click to download:


Children

Students must be 18 or older to register. Unless a course is designed for parents and chldren to interact (this is rare), children are not permitted in adult school classes.

Class Closures

Classes with low enrollment or low attendance may be canceled by the administrator. If a class is canceled by the school, please apply for your refund within five days of the cancellation date.

Equal Opportunity

Berkeley Unified School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age or sex in any of its policies or procedures related to admissions, employment, financial aid, educational services, programs or activities.

Fees and Class Size

ESL, Adult Basic Education, and High School Diploma/GED classes are free. Career Technical Education, Adults with Disabilities Program, Lifelong Learning and Community Education classes have a non-refundable registration fee. Check the individual pages for details. Fees in Community Ed are based on the number of students needed to cover class cost. Classes with low enrollment may have the fees and/or hours adjusted, or may be cancelled.

International Students

Berkeley Adult School is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), but is not a college, university, or degree-granting institution. Hours of attendance at this school do not fulfill the educational requirements of any contract that requires attendance at a college or university, such as Au Pair contracts or the requirements of a visa. BAS does not issue visas and cannot validate visas. All necessary travel documents should be handled by the issuing agency in the student’s home country before travelling to the United States.

Notice About Checks

There will be a service charge of $25 on all checks which fail to clear through your bank.

Pre-Registration is Required for CTE and CE

Pre-registration is required for Career Technical (job skills) and Community Education (“fee-based”) classes. Check the Registration Information page for details. Classes risk cancellation if the minimum number of students is not reached BEFORE the first class session. We price our classes affordably to cover our costs for teachers’ salaries, teaching materials, and classroom facilities. If we do not have the minimum number of students in a class, we will give the students the option of paying a slightly higher class fee, reducing the number of hours of instruction, or cancelling the class. We do not like to cancel a class, so register NOW and attend!

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited on all BAS property. Smoking is permitted on the sidewalk adjacent to school entrances. Smokers, please stand a few paces from the gate so that others coming and going can avoid the smoke. Thank you.

Special Accommodation

Students who require special accommodations due to a disability should call 510.644.6130 (Main Office) to request accommodations at least two weeks in advance of the start of class. Berkeley Adult School has ramps and elevators to all levels.

Uniform Complaint Procedure

In accordance with state guidelines, the District has adopted Uniform Complaint Procedures which shall be followed when addressing complaints alleging unlawful discrimination, harassment or intimidation, or failure to comply with state and federal laws related to adult basic education programs, consolidated categorical programs, Career Technical Education programs, and special education programs. For more information, click to download: [find files here: http://bas.berkeley.net/policies.html#uniform]

  • Complaint Form 2012 in .doc format
  • Complaint Form 2012 in .pdf format


Waiver

Registered students or legal guardians of registered students participating in Berkeley Adult School programs agree to hold Berkeley Unified School District free and harmless from any claim or expense that may arise from participation in the program(s). Berkeley Unified School District does not carry medical insurance for its students.

Student/Staff Privacy and Personal Information Policy

This policy includes the stipulations in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Data Collection
Student personal information is vital to the survival of Berkeley Adult School. We are required to collect personal information directly from BAS students to access program funding.. This funding enables BAS to provide low-cost and no-fee classes. The information helps BAS make management decisions regarding which courses to offer. It also guides BAS in its communication with students.

Staff personal information is crucial for communication, payroll and other administrative tasks.

Data Use
BAS uses student information to keep students informed about their classes and about similar courses in which they may be interested. Students can choose NOT to be contacted by the school by contacting the main office.

This information may also be used:

  • to accommodate staff and students in case of a medical emergency,
  • to inquire about attendance or academic issues that may prevent a student from completing courses,
  • to contact Career Technical Education students for course evaluations or employment information,
  • to contact staff members for administrative or curricular reasons.

Privacy Notice
BAS has video surveillance in strategic locations on campus for student and staff safety. The video information is stored on a computer and is deleted after 7 days.

Disclosure
Berkeley Adult School keeps the individual identity of staff and students private when their personal information is shared with other agencies. Only authorized State of California or Berkeley Unified School District auditors are allowed, under our supervision, to view original files which disclose personal information with names. Staff and students’ personal information is protected and will not leave the Berkeley Adult School campus without prior consent.

Exceptions
Some groups, such as law enforcement agencies, have a lawful or investigative need to collect, use and disclose personal information without having to obtain the consent of the concerned individuals.

For these reasons, certain exemptions are included:

  • if the action clearly benefits the individual,
  • if obtaining permission could infringe on the information’s accuracy,
  • where such data can contribute to a legal investigation or aid in an emergency where lives and safety could be at stake,
  • if disclosure aids, in times of emergency, matters of legal investigation, or facilitates the conservation of historically important records.

Staff and Student Record Access
Staff and students who have questions regarding their personal information or want to view their personal information can do so by contacting the main office at 510.644.6130 to request an appointment with an administrator.

Computer Use Policy for Computer Classes
See our Computer Use Policy page

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