Privacy Policy

Last updated: April 17, 2026

Ascend Academy ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard information when you visit ascendacademy.org (the "Site") or enroll in our speech and debate coaching programs (the "Services").

By using our Site or Services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use our Site or Services.

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

When you register for a program or contact us, we collect:

• Student name, email, phone number, school, grade level, and state
• Parent/guardian name, email, and phone number (including a second parent/guardian if provided)
• Event or program of interest
• Interest in summer camps or other programs
• Payment information (processed through Stripe — we do not store card numbers)
• Any other information you voluntarily provide (messages, additional info fields)

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the Site, we and our service providers may automatically collect:

• Device information (browser type, operating system, device type)
• Usage data (pages viewed, time spent, referring URL)
• IP address and approximate location
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies used by Vercel Analytics and Speed Insights

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Enroll students in programs and deliver coaching services
• Send program-related communications (session reminders, coach updates, Slack invites)
• Process payments and send receipts
• Respond to inquiries and provide customer support
• Send marketing emails about new programs, summer camps, or events (where permitted)
• Improve our Site, programs, and user experience
• Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights

3. Children's Privacy

Ascend Academy's programs are designed for students in grades 4 through 12. We take children's privacy seriously and comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

We require parent/guardian information at registration and do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 without parental consent. Parents may review, correct, or request deletion of their child's information at any time by emailing info@ascendspeech.org.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only with:

• Service providers who help us operate our business, including Supabase (database), Stripe (payment processing), Vercel (hosting and analytics), Slack (community platform), and Google Workspace (email)
• Coaches and instructors within Ascend Academy on a need-to-know basis to deliver coaching services
• Legal authorities when required by law, subpoena, or to protect our rights, safety, or the safety of others
• Successors in the event of a merger, acquisition, or asset sale

5. Data Security

We use industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including encryption in transit (HTTPS), secure database storage through Supabase with row-level security, and restricted administrator access. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide our Services and comply with legal obligations. Registration and payment records are typically retained for seven years for tax and accounting purposes. You may request earlier deletion by contacting us.

7. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your information
• Opt out of marketing communications
• Request a portable copy of your data

California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). EU residents have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). To exercise any of these rights, email info@ascendspeech.org.

8. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies for analytics (Vercel Analytics, Speed Insights) and to remember your preferences. You can disable cookies in your browser settings, but some features of the Site may not function properly.

9. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites (such as Calendly, Slack, or partner organizations). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. Please review their privacy policies separately.

10. International Users

Our Services are operated from the United States. If you access the Site from outside the U.S., your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the U.S., where data protection laws may differ from those in your country.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the revised policy on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Material changes will be communicated via email or a prominent notice on the Site.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, contact us at:

Ascend Academy
Email: info@ascendspeech.org