How do I set up online registration for drop-in classes?

In Studio Pro, you can allow students to register online for drop-in classes, where they choose the specific dates they’ll attend instead of enrolling in a full session. This article walks through how to configure drop-in settings, clarify payment options, and prepare your classes to accept registrations online.

Step 1 — Open Drop-Ins Settings

1. Go to Magic in the top menu bar.

2. Click Online Registration. 

3. Click the Drop-Ins tab to open the drop-in setup panel.

Step 2 — Choose “How to Handle Charges”

Your first decision determines how parents/students pay (or don’t pay) when selecting drop-in dates:

Option A — Don’t collect payments or post fees

• Registrants pre-select drop-in dates without any charges.

• You can post fees manually after the student registers, if needed. 

Option B — Just post fees to their balance

• Charges for selected dates are added to the student’s account balance, but payment is not required. 

• Parent/Student can pay later through the Parent Portal or in-studio.

Option C — Collect payment at registration

• Parent/Student must pay online at the time of registration before their selection is complete.

✅  Tip: Posting to the balance without required payment is often a good middle ground — it ensures they are charged while allowing payment later.

Step 3 — Enable Punch Cards (Optional)

Next, you can include a punch card option. If you are selling punch cards and allow people to use a 'punch' when they come to a drop-in class, you can adjust the "Punch Card Option." 

If your classes allow punch cards:

• In the same drop-ins settings, adjust the Punch Card Option.

• This ensures that when families select dates, they can indicate they’re paying with a punch card rather than a charge. 

Note: If punch cards aren’t enabled here, the drop-in registration will always default to the payment workflow chosen above.

Step 4 — Configure Your Class for Drop-Ins

1. Go to Classes and select the class you want to enable for drop-in registrations.

2. From the left menu, select Drop-Ins.

3. Configure the drop-in settings for that class (allow drop-ins, drop-in rate, and transaction code).

4. Click Save.

Now, when students go to register online, they’ll see the available drop-in dates and payment options you’ve configured:

 

 

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: Why aren’t any drop-in dates showing up for parents online?
A: Even if drop-ins are enabled, parents can only register for dates that fall within the class dates you’ve set. Open the class, check the Class Dates, and confirm the drop-in range covers the dates you expect students to see. Also make sure Online Registration is enabled for the season under More > Seasons > [Your Season], and that the Online Registration Dates include today’s date.

 

Q: Parents can see drop-in dates, but they’re still being asked to pay online when we don’t want that.
A: Check your How to Handle Charges setting under Magic > Online Registration > Drop-Ins — if Collect payment at registration, parents will be prompted for payment. 

 

Q: We set “Post to Balance,” but drop-in fees aren’t showing on the student’s account.
A: If you’re registering students from the admin side, make sure you’re using Magic > Registration Manager so drop-in settings are applied correctly. Then double-check your How to Handle Charges setting in the drop-in setup — only the correct selection will post fees to the account balance.

 

Q: Punch cards aren’t showing up as an option during registration.
A: A punch card will only appear if the student actually has an active punch card with remaining punches that hasn’t expired. You can confirm this under Student > Orders & Punch Cards. If the card is expired or fully used, it won’t be offered at registration.

 

Q: The parent completed registration, but the student isn’t showing on the attendance.
A: After registration, staff can view and manage selected drop-in dates under Magic > Class Manager to confirm attendance on the correct dates.