Outschool families can request a private class directly from your class listing page. A private class means that the family pays a specific price for a small group class, exclusively for learners that they pre-select. Families may request private classes for ad-hoc learning pods, events, virtual birthday parties, and more.
Most teachers get started with private classes when they receive a request about an existing one-time class. Others have listed a brand new class with a specific theme (e.g. Watercolor Birthday Party, Anime Birthday Party, etc.). We recommend a one-time class for your format.
* If you decide to list a brand new class, keep our standards in mind. Class listings are public, so do not include kids’ names or other personal details.
Read below for details on how to make an existing or new class private. We’ll share some tips for success as well!
If you're a parent looking to request a private class, start by using the Request Another Time button on a class listing to request a time. You can also read more about Private Classes - For Families.
Hosting a Private Class
Towards the bottom of your class listing page, parents can use the Request Another Time button to send you a detailed request for their private class. The private class will already have a theme based on the class topic.
Once the parent submits their request, you’ll receive it in the form of a direct message in your Conversations and your email.
For security and safety reasons, each family must sign up for their own Outschool account. When a parent signs up on Outschool, we record their agreement with our Terms of Service, which helps set expectations about the privacy of their children and more.
If the organizing parent wants to pay on behalf of all the participants, they can purchase every spot in the class using gift enrollments.
Follow this process:
Create a private section for the time and number of available spaces you’ve agreed upon with the organizing parent.
Copy the link on the section edit page and share it with the organizing parent. Only parents who have that direct link can see and enroll in the private section you’ve created. With the link, they will be able to enroll in this section and purchase gift enrollments for the rest of the private class participants.
If the organizing parent does not want to pay on behalf of all participants, ask them to share the Section link with all party participant parents. Each parent should enroll separately in the section.
When the date for the party gets closer, check in with the organizing parent so that they can confirm if all their friends enrolled!
* As an Outschool educator, please remember that you must keep communication on Outschool.
Tips for hosting a private class
Below, you’ll find some tips to keep things fun:
Get ideas from the organizing parent and learner(s). Maybe they want to paint their favorite animal, or maybe they want to listen to their favorite song once during the class. Incorporating something like that helps give the private party a personal touch!
Keep your usual classroom rules, but focus on interaction. You might want to continue utilizing the mute button for background noise with specific learners, but you should also give everyone a chance to participate and have fun!