I'm not sure how your class works Snowman, but in my class there were students at all levels at all times and we all started off with the kata's, etc. from the beginning in class. When each student finished their level, they started training more at their level while the rest of the class went on, etc. We had new students joining in at all times of the year and students dropping out at all times of the year for various reasons. Our Sensai (sp) had no problems with it. Of course, it's great to have someone come in and go from white to black, but sometimes it's also just not possible.