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Powderhouse ("we," "us," or "the School") is a tuition-free lab school, and we take protecting your information seriously — especially because we work with students. This policy explains what we collect, how we use it, when we share it (and when we don't), and the rights you have.
It applies to everyone who interacts with us: students, parents and guardians, staff, volunteers, community partners, prospective families, and website visitors.
About students:
About parents and guardians:
From our website:
We use your information to:
We do not sell your personal information, and we do not share it with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
We share information only when there's a real need:
Your text-message information gets extra protection, described in Text Messaging below.
We follow FERPA (a federal law protecting student education records) and applicable state privacy laws. You have the right to:
Parents can review, correct, or request deletion of their child's records, and we ask for parental consent before releasing student information.
Students under 13: We follow COPPA (a federal law protecting children's privacy online). We collect information about children under 13 only with a parent or guardian's consent, and parents can review, delete, or stop further collection anytime.
Powderhouse texts students and families to stay in touch about school. Some texts come straight from our staff; some (like reminders or announcements) are sent automatically — but they're always from Powderhouse and always about school. We never send ads, and we never sell or share your phone number. For the complete program terms, see our Text Messaging Terms.
What we text about: scheduling meetings, visits, and interviews; attendance, pickup, and reminders; school announcements and updates; answers to your questions; and emergencies. We only text people who gave us their number and said yes — never numbers bought from anyone else, and never marketing.
Signing up: You opt in by entering your mobile number and checking the consent box on our interest form or family intake form. Checking that box means you agree to get texts from Powderhouse. If you're under 18, a parent or guardian opts in with you.
How often, and when: How often we text varies, depending on what's happening. We usually text during the day (about 9:00 AM–6:00 PM); urgent messages may come outside those hours.
Cost: Message and data rates may apply, depending on your phone plan. Powderhouse isn't responsible for charges from your carrier.
Stopping or getting help:
If you opt out, we may not be able to reach you quickly about time-sensitive things.
We protect your number:
If you're under 18: we need a parent or guardian to give permission before we collect a minor's number and text them, and to help set it up.
We may update this policy from time to time. If we make a significant change, we'll let families know through our usual channels.
Powderhouse Privacy Officer 339R Summer Street, Somerville, MA 02144 us@powderhouse.org · 617.800.6992