Monthly Group Karate Classes
At Jin Sei Ryu Chicago, we are proud to offer both Tiered and Household pricing in order to maximize affordability for students and families. Both are part of our commitment to equity We believe that everyone should be able to learn karate, regardless of their (or their family’s) financial means. We are proud of the quality of instruction we deliver, and trust our members to choose the tier that makes sense for their circumstances. Learn more about both tiered and household pricing below.
Sliding Scale Fee Structure
We offer 3 tiers of payment: Standard, Supporter, and *Reduced. In order to allow our business to remain viable, we have a limited number of Reduced Rate spots available, which are offset by folks who choose Supporter Rate (otherwise known as our “pay-it-forward” rate). We also create opportunities for people in the community to sponsor a Reduced Rate of Financial Aid student through Ally membership. When more people with means join on the Supporter tier (or become an Ally member), it means we can offer more spots on Reduced Tier (or extra support through financial aid) to families in need. Reduced Rate spots are limited, and are available with the support from Ally members and folks who pay the Supporter Tier (Pay-it-Forward).
For those not used to sliding scale models, we offer the following summary, paraphrased from Alexis J Cunningfolks’s writing on sliding scale models.
- Our Standard Rate is the actual cost of the class. If you choose a ticket price below this, you are receiving a discount.
- Our Reduced Rate price is for those who are able to meet their basic needs but have little-to-no expendable income. Paying for this class may qualify as a sacrifice but it would not create hardship.
- Financial Aid is for those who struggle to meet basic needs and paying for this class would still be a significant hardship.
- Supporter Rate (The Pay-It-Forward price) is a few bucks above the actual cost of the class and that extra money goes towards supporting Reduced Rate and financial aid. Essentially it’s an opportunity to not only take your class but also support your fellow community members while you’re at it.
For those looking for additional guidance, we offer this PDF document, shared originally from Ride Free Fearless Money’s blog.
We encourage individuals and families to choose the tier that is best for them. Families and individuals who need to pay less than our Reduced Rate should request a link to our online financial aid form after their free trial class. Both Reduced Rate and Financial aid spots are limited. Availability is based on the amount of folks paying the Supporter (Pay-It-Forward) tier for services. Priority consideration for financial aid includes those historically excluded from participation because of race, gender identity, immigration status, disability, or socio-economic status.
Household Pricing
The family that trains together, smiles together. Families with multiple household members may take advantage of our household pricing. Choose your tier for the first training member (Reduced, Standard, or Supporter). We know that families and households come in all sorts of configurations, and we want to support the whole household in feeling safer, stronger, and more self-confident! We define a “household” as a group of people who live together and pool their financial resources. To qualify for household pricing, at least one household member must be a dependent.
Prices are a flat rate per month for as many group classes that a student is eligible for. For Teen & Adult, Youth, and Juniors programs, beginners can take up to 3 classes per week. As you advance in Teen & Adult and Youth programs, there may be classes up to 5 days/week.
| Tier | 1 student | Household pricing: 2 students | Household Pricing: 3+ students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $120 | $200 | $250 |
| Supporter | $150 | $250 | $325 |
| *Reduced | $95 | $150 | $200 |
*At the moment we are unable to offer any additional Reduced Rate or Financial Aid spots. Students who pay at the Supporter (Pay-it-Forward) rate offset the costs of Reduced Rate and Financial Aid students, allowing us to support a more diverse community of students. Once we have more students join the Supporter Tier, we’ll be able to open new slots for Reduced Rate and Financial Aid.
Beginners’ Series
Our beginners’ series is 8 – 10 weeks, and includes a free uniform. We are not currently offering tiered pricing for the Beginners’ Series; however, you are welcome to attend the Beginners’ Series and pay monthly at the tier you choose (please note that monthly pricing does not include a uniform). Our Beginners’ Series pricing is loosely based on our Standard Rate.
| Tier | 1 student | Household pricing: 2 students | Household Pricing: 3+ students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $250 | $400 | $500 |
Private Lessons
Private lessons are in addition to our regular group classes and may be online or in person. Jin Sei Ryu Chicago pricing for private lessons is as follows:
30-minute private lesson: $75
1 hour private lesson: $150
Cancellation policy: 50% of cost for lesson for same-day cancellations.