Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms & Contracting Parties

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between Data Detectives LLC, a California limited liability company ("Data Detectives," "we," "us," or "our"), and you, the person who creates an account ("you").

If you are enrolling a student under 18

By checking the acceptance boxes during signup, you confirm that: (a) you are at least 18 years of age; (b) you are the parent or legal guardian of the enrolling student; (c) you have read these Terms in full; and (d) you agree to be bound by them on behalf of yourself and your child. Students under 18 are not authorized to independently accept these Terms. All accounts enrolling minors must be created and managed by a parent or legal guardian.

If you are an adult student (18+)

By checking the acceptance box during signup, you confirm that you are at least 18 years of age and that you have read and agree to be bound by these Terms.

Instructors

Instructors using the platform to manage sessions, assignments, and student records agree to these Terms in addition to any separate instructor agreement. Instructor obligations are further described in Section 6.

If you do not agree to these Terms, do not create an account or use the Service.

2. Description of Services

Data Detectives provides personalized, one-on-one and small-group educational classes for students, delivered in person or online. Our services include:

• A complimentary 30-minute Discovery Call with an instructor to assess learning goals, design a course plan, and provide input into a written Learning Agreement
• Customized class sessions scheduled at mutually agreed times
• Personalized assignments, projects, and learning milestones tailored to the student's goals
• Access to course materials provided during enrollment
• Progress tracking and regular check-ins with the parent or guardian
• Application of our Learning Guarantee as described in Section 5

What our services do not include

• Guaranteed outcomes beyond those defined in the Learning Guarantee (see Section 5)
• Childcare, supervision outside of scheduled class time, or emergency medical services
• Tutoring or instructor availability between scheduled sessions unless separately agreed in writing
• Any services not specifically described at the time of enrollment

We reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue any aspect of our services with reasonable notice. We will provide at least 14 days' notice before canceling or materially changing a class your child is currently enrolled in, except in cases of emergency or safety concerns.

3. Enrollment & Eligibility

Eligibility

Our programs are open to students of any age. Enrollment of students under 18 requires a parent or legal guardian to create the account and accept these Terms. Adult students (18+) may create their own accounts directly.

Account responsibility

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities that occur under your account. Notify us immediately at [email protected] if you suspect unauthorized use of your account. For accounts enrolling minors, student login credentials should be managed by the parent or guardian and not shared with other families.

Accurate information

You agree to provide accurate and complete information at enrollment and to keep it current. Providing false information — including misrepresenting a student's age, grade level, or learning history — may result in immediate termination of enrollment. Refund eligibility in such cases is at our discretion.

Learning Agreement

After the discovery call, the instructor you contacted will provide a written Learning Agreement to the email on the account. This Learning Agreement:

• will be sent within 5 business days of the Discovery call
• must be accepted before the first session occurs
• contains: total fee and payment schedule, session structure (frequency, duration, number of sessions), specific measurable learning goals and success metrics, code of conduct acknowledgment, Learning Guarantee terms, and any logistics (location, parking, platform links)
• supersedes any general descriptions on the website

Parent/guardian or adult student acceptance constitutes agreement to the specific terms of that enrollment.

4. Fees, Payment & Refund Policy

The total fee for each enrollment is calculated based on the estimated instructor preparation time required, the number and duration of class sessions, and the overall course structure. This fee is quoted and confirmed in your Learning Agreement following the Discovery Call.

Payment schedule

• 50% upfront: Due at enrollment. Covers instructor preparation, course design, materials, and assignments.
• 50% on completion: Due when agreed learning goals are met, as defined in the Learning Agreement provided after the Discovery Call. See Section 5 for full guarantee terms.

Payment processing

Payments are processed through Square. By providing payment information, you authorize us to charge the applicable fees per the schedule above. We do not store full card numbers.

Refund policy

• Before the first session: Full refund of the upfront 50% if you cancel before the first class session takes place.
• After the first session: The upfront 50% is non-refundable once the first session has occurred, as it covers preparation costs already incurred. Classes are designed specifically for your student in mind, and preparation has taken place before the first class session.
• Completion payment: If agreed learning goals are not met per the Learning Agreement, the completion payment is not due. See Section 5 for partial progress refund provisions.
• Missed sessions: We do not issue refunds or credits for sessions missed by the student. If we must cancel a session due to causes on our end, we will offer a makeup session within 14 days or a proportional credit.
• Discovery Call: The Discovery Call is complimentary and carries no obligation to enroll.

Chargebacks

If you initiate a payment dispute or chargeback without first contacting us to resolve the issue, we reserve the right to suspend your account pending resolution. We encourage you to reach out directly at [email protected] — most issues can be resolved quickly.

5. The Learning Guarantee

How it works

During your Discovery Call, you and your instructor will collaboratively define specific, measurable learning goals for the course. These goals are documented in writing in your Learning Agreement and confirmed before the first session. The second 50% payment is due only when at least one of those goals are met, following the eligibility conditions.

If no goals are fully met

If, at the conclusion of the course, you have not met at least one of your agreed learning goals:

• The 50% completion payment is not due.

Eligibility conditions

The Learning Guarantee applies when all of the following conditions are met:

• Learning goals and success metrics were established in writing during the Discovery Call and confirmed by accepting the Learning Agreement
• The student attended at least 80% of scheduled sessions
• Both parties participated in good faith — the student engaged earnestly with assignments and the instructor delivered the agreed course content
• The course was completed and not cancelled mid-way by the parent or student for reasons unrelated to Data Detectives's performance

Progress assessment and disputes

Progress toward learning goals is assessed collaboratively throughout the course via regular check-ins. At the conclusion of the course, a final determination is made by the Data Detectives team in consultation with the instructor. If you dispute our progress determination, you may request a formal review. We will respond in writing within 14 business days. You retain the right to pursue dispute resolution per Section 14 if you believe our determination was made in bad faith.

6. Code of Conduct & Acceptable Use

We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and productive learning environment for all students, parents, and instructors.

All users agree to

• Treat instructors, staff, and fellow students with respect and courtesy
• Provide accurate information at enrollment and keep it current
• Use the platform and its communications exclusively for educational purposes
• Not share, record, screenshot, or distribute any class session, instructor content, or student information without express written consent (see Section 8)
• Not attempt to access accounts, data, or systems not belonging to you
• Not use automated means to scrape, copy, or extract data from the platform
• Not use the Service for any unlawful purpose

Instructor responsibilities

Instructors using the platform agree to:

• Use the platform solely for educational purposes as agreed with Data Detectives
• Handle student data responsibly and in strict accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable law, including COPPA and SOPIPA
• Not share student profiles, progress records, or personal information with any unauthorized party
• Maintain professional conduct and appropriate boundaries with students and families at all times
• Report any safety concerns involving a student to Data Detectives immediately

Consequences of violations

We reserve the right to immediately suspend or permanently terminate access to the Service, without refund, for conduct we reasonably determine to be harmful, threatening, discriminatory, or in violation of these Terms. In cases of conduct that may involve harm to a minor, we may notify appropriate authorities.

7. Intellectual Property

Our content

All curriculum, instructional materials, lesson plans, assessment frameworks, platform software, and branding (collectively, "Content") are owned by Data Detectives, LLC and protected by U.S. copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, sell, publish, or create derivative works from our Content without express written permission.

Personal use license

Materials provided to your child during enrollment are licensed for personal, non-commercial educational use only — for that student, for that course. You may not share them with other families, post them publicly without prior approval, or use them in any commercial context.

Student work

Work created by students during our programs — assignments, projects, and exercises — remains the intellectual property of the student (and, for minors, their parent or guardian). Data Detectives makes no claim of ownership over student-generated work. We may, with separate parental consent, use de-identified, anonymized examples of student work to illustrate our teaching methods, but never in a way that identifies the individual student.

Feedback

If you provide suggestions or feedback about our services, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual license to use that feedback to improve our services, without obligation or compensation to you.

8. Recording & Media Consent

Session recording by Data Detectives

We do not record class sessions. All sessions are delivered live only.

Recording by participants

Participants — including parents and students — may not record, screenshot, photograph, or otherwise capture any portion of a class session without the prior written consent of Data Detectives and all other participants. Unauthorized recording is a violation of these Terms and may violate California Penal Code § 632.

Use of student likeness

We will not use your child's name, photo, video likeness, or voice in any marketing, advertising, social media, or promotional material without separate, explicit written consent from the parent or guardian. Consent for any promotional use is entirely optional and separate from enrollment.

9. Health, Safety & Emergency Procedures

Health disclosures

You agree to inform us of any medical conditions, allergies, physical limitations, learning differences, or behavioral needs that may affect your child's participation. We will make reasonable accommodations where possible, but cannot guarantee accommodations for conditions not disclosed at or before the first session.

Emergency contacts

You agree to provide accurate emergency contact information in your enrollment agreement and to update us promptly if it changes. In the event of a medical emergency during an in-person session, we will contact emergency services first and notify you as quickly as possible.

In-person sessions

Students should not attend in-person sessions if they are experiencing symptoms of contagious illness. Please contact us to reschedule. We reserve the right to exclude a student from an in-person session if we have reasonable concern about the health and safety of other participants. Students should remain fever-free for 24 hours without medication.

Online sessions

For online classes, we ask that parents ensure students are in an appropriate, supervised environment during sessions, particularly for younger students. If we have reason to believe a student's safety or wellbeing may be at risk during a session, we reserve the right to pause or terminate the session and contact the parent or emergency services as appropriate.

10. Privacy & Student Data

Your use of our services is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. By accepting these Terms, you also accept our Privacy Policy.

Key commitments:

• We do not sell student data.
• We do not use student data for advertising.
• We comply with COPPA (for students under 13) and California's SOPIPA.
• Parents may access, correct, or delete their child's data at any time.

In any conflict between these Terms and the Privacy Policy regarding data handling, the Privacy Policy controls.

11. Limitation of Liability

Disclaimer of warranties

Our services are provided "as is" and "as available." Except as expressly stated in our Learning Guarantee (Section 5), we make no warranties — express or implied — that our services will meet any particular educational outcome. Individual results depend on many factors outside our control, including the student's effort, prior knowledge, and engagement.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by California law, Data Detectives's total liability to you for any claim arising from or related to these Terms or our services shall not exceed the total amount you paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim, or $500, whichever is greater.

We are not liable for: indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages; loss of data; or events outside our reasonable control, including natural disasters, internet or platform outages, or public health emergencies.

What this limitation does not cover

This limitation does not apply to: claims arising from our gross negligence or intentional misconduct; personal injury caused by our negligence during in-person sessions; fraud or misrepresentation; or any liability that cannot be limited under applicable California law (Cal. Civil Code § 1668).

12. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Data Detectives, LLC and its instructors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, or expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees) arising from:

• Your breach of these Terms
• Your child's conduct during our programs that causes harm to another student, instructor, or third party
• Your provision of false or materially inaccurate information at enrollment
• Your violation of any applicable law in connection with your use of our services

This indemnification obligation does not apply to claims arising from our own negligence or intentional misconduct.

13. Termination

Termination by you

You may cancel your enrollment at any time by emailing [email protected]. Refunds are issued per the policy in Section 4.

Termination by us

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate enrollment for any of the following reasons:

• Violation of these Terms or the Code of Conduct (Section 6)
• Non-payment of fees when due
• Provision of materially false information at enrollment
• Conduct by a student or parent that we reasonably determine is harmful to the safety or wellbeing of other students or our instructors

We will provide written notice of termination. In cases involving safety concerns, termination may be immediate. In non-safety cases, we will provide at least 5 business days' notice and an opportunity to respond.

Refunds on termination

If we terminate enrollment for reasons within our control (e.g., we cannot provide the agreed service), we will provide a prorated refund of the upfront payment for sessions not yet delivered. If termination is due to a violation of these Terms by you or your child, refund eligibility is at our discretion.

Effect of termination

Upon termination, your right to access our platform ends immediately. Sections that by their nature survive termination — including intellectual property, limitation of liability, indemnification, and dispute resolution — remain in force.

14. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

Governing law

These Terms and any dispute arising from them are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any dispute arising in California shall be governed by California law and adjudicated in California (Cal. Civil Code § 1799.208, effective January 1, 2025).

Informal resolution first

Before initiating any formal proceeding, you agree to contact us at [email protected] to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We will respond within 10 business days. This step is required before arbitration or litigation may be initiated.

Small claims court

Either party may bring a qualifying dispute in small claims court in Contra Costa County, California, regardless of any arbitration agreement. This right cannot be waived. (Cal. Civil Code § 1799.209, effective January 1, 2025.)

Binding arbitration

For disputes not resolved informally and not brought in small claims court, you and Data Detectives agree to resolve disputes arising out of and directly related to these Terms and our services through binding arbitration administered by JAMS under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. Arbitration shall take place in Contra Costa County, California (or remotely by mutual agreement). California law governs. The arbitrator may award any relief that a court could award.

This arbitration agreement covers only claims arising from and directly related to these Terms. It does not cover claims arising from personal injury during in-person sessions, independent torts unrelated to the service, or any claim California law excludes from mandatory arbitration. (Consistent with SB 82, effective January 1, 2026.)

No class actions

To the extent permitted by California law, disputes must be brought individually and not as part of a class, consolidated, or representative action.

Injunctive relief

Either party may seek emergency injunctive or equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction in Contra Costa County to prevent irreparable harm, without waiving the right to arbitrate the underlying dispute.

15. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms as our services evolve or as California law changes. We will notify you of material changes by email at least 30 days before they take effect and by posting a prominent notice on our homepage. The version and effective date of these Terms are displayed at the top of this page. Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of an update constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms for non-material changes.

16. Contact

For questions about these Terms, enrollment disputes, or the Learning Guarantee:

Data Detectives LLC
1255 Treat Blvd, Suite 300 PMB 3136
Walnut Creek, CA 94597
Email: [email protected]