OpenClass
Instructor & Participant Policies
Our policies exist to protect everyone — instructors, participants, and the OpenClass community.
Venue Policy
All OpenClass sessions must be held in public, professional venues. This protects both instructors and participants.
Approved venues include:
- Coffee shops and cafés
- Studios (art, yoga, dance, music, etc.)
- Libraries and community centers
- Restaurants and pubs
- Co-working spaces
- Rented classroom or event spaces
Not permitted:
Private homes, residential properties, backyards, or any non-public space. No exceptions.
Refund Policy
More than 7 days before class: Full refund, no questions asked.
3–6 days before class: 50% refund.
Less than 48 hours before class starts: No refund.
After the first session (series only): Participants may request a refund within 7 days of the first session, but only with a compelling reason. OpenClass reviews all requests on a case-by-case basis.
If a refund is granted, the participant is immediately removed from the class. No further attendance is permitted.
No refunds after the 7-day window following the first session.
If an instructor cancels a class, all participants receive a full refund automatically — no questions asked.
Compelling reasons for a refund may include:
- Instructor was unprofessional or unsafe
- Class was significantly different from what was described
- Instructor cancelled without rescheduling
- Medical emergency
The following are NOT valid reasons for a refund:
- You changed your mind
- You couldn't attend
- You didn't enjoy the topic
Class Minimums
Each instructor sets a minimum number of participants required for their class to run. This minimum is clearly displayed on every class listing and during registration.
If the minimum is not reached by the class start date, the class will be cancelled and all participants will receive a full refund automatically.
Instructor Standards
OpenClass instructors are held to a high standard of professionalism, reliability, and respect.
No-show: Instructor will not be paid for that session. All participants receive a full refund. OpenClass will investigate.
Late (more than 15 minutes): Participants may request a refund for that session. Instructor will not be paid for that session.
Unprofessional or rude behavior: A complaint will be filed and investigated by OpenClass.
Unsafe behavior: Instructor will be immediately suspended pending investigation.
3 verified complaints: Instructor will be permanently removed from the platform.
Instructor Payment Schedule
Instructors are paid within 7 days after each class session via Stripe direct deposit. You do not need to wait until the end of a series to receive payment.
Year-end tax documents are handled automatically through Stripe.
Founding Instructor Program
The first 25 approved instructors per city receive Founding Instructor status:
- 0% OpenClass commission fee for your first 3 months
- 3 months begins from the date of your first class
- Any class that begins within your 3-month window runs to completion at 0% — no mid-class fee surprises
- Permanent Founding Instructor badge on your profile
After 3 months, the standard 20% commission applies. OpenClass absorbs all Stripe processing fees for standard instructors — you receive exactly what you set as your price.