For our school to run smoothly and attract the best possible teachers, we have policies in place
that will respect their time, as well as yours. These policies are fair, reasonable, and widely used
at music studios around the country. To avoid future misunderstandings and conflicts, take a
moment to read our policies and let us know if you have any questions.
Tuition
Tuition is $100 per month (weekly, half hour, private lessons) drafted electronically on the 3rd
day of the month by either checking account or credit card (Visa or Mastercard). (45-minute
private lessons are $140.00; 1 hour private lessons are $180 per month).
Transactions that are declined because of insufficient funds, past expiration dates or closed
accounts, incur a $5 fee in addition to the month’s tuition charges. To avoid unnecessary fees,
please remember to let us know if you close your account, change banks or want to use a
different account/credit card, or need to update the information on an existing credit card.
A deposit equal to two lessons ($50) is mandatory. This deposit is refundable and may be
used as credit for the student’s final two lessons, or returned in full if the month’s tuition fee has
already been collected and notice has been given by the 15th of the month. As a courtesy to the
music instructor and school, we must receive a minimum of two weeks notice to discontinue
lessons or the ($50) refundable deposit is forfeited. To avoid potential miscommunications,
we do not accept verbal communications with your instructor or messages left on our answering
machines for withdrawals. Withdrawals must be given at the front desk.
Late Arrival
Please note that students arriving late will not have their lesson time extended. Our teachers
typically have many students scheduled consecutively throughout the day and they will not
impose upon another student’s lesson time. If you arrive late and your teacher is not in the
waiting area, please go directly to your teacher’s room and let him or her know that you’re
present so no additional time is lost. If you’re running more than 5-10 minutes late, it may be a
good idea to call ahead and let us know that you’re on your way, but running late.
Cancellation Policy
Recognize that your lesson time is reserved specifically for you. This means that your lesson
slot is unavailable to other students and the teacher has made a commitment to instruct you at
that time. Please make every effort to come to your lesson and avoid scheduling other activities
during your lesson time. Consistent attendance helps ensure good progress.
If you must cancel or reschedule a lesson, a minimum of 24 hours notice is needed if you would
like to receive a make-up lesson. Make-up lessons must be scheduled through the school office.
Please limit cancellations to no more than one per quarter. Teachers do make-up lessons once
every 3 months with the dates posted 1 year in advance on the school calendar.
The tuition fees for lessons that are cancelled with less than 24 hours notice are forfeited.
Your teacher is not obligated to provide a make-up lesson for “no shows” or “late
cancellations”. Students may not use “credit” from a missed lesson to reduce the tuition for
a subsequent month. The tuition remains the same; there are NO REFUNDS for missed and
cancelled lessons, unless caused by the teacher’s unavailability.
Never cancel a lesson because you have not had time to practice. It is better to come in and
review the material so progress is not halted yet another week.
Withdrawal
As per our written agreement, students/parents must submit a completed withdrawal form in
person, to the office manager (not your teacher) no later than the 15th day of the month for
withdrawal from lessons and cessation for tuition charges. Withdrawal forms are available at the
front office desk. Withdrawal forms submitted after the 15th of the month will result in tuition
being charged for the following month even if you choose not to or are unable to attend those
lessons. To avoid potential miscommunications, we do not accept verbal communications with
your instructor or messages left on our answering machine for withdrawals.
Substitute Teachers
Occasionally, a teacher may miss a lesson due to an illness or family emergency. Whenever
this happens, the school will arrange for a substitute teacher or will attempt to reschedule your
lesson. We’ve found that many students actually enjoy an occasional lesson with another
teacher.
Holidays
Our schools are closed on most major holidays. These include New Year’s Day, the week of
Spring Break, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Break, and New Year’s Eve.
Occasionally, your lesson will fall on a holiday and you will not have a lesson. There are no
tuition adjustments or make-up lessons given for lessons that fall on the above major holidays
because all students receive additional lessons at no extra cost on months where an extra (5th)
week occurs. The major exception to this policy is December in which the school is only open
the first two weeks.
Please note that we do not follow public school system schedules for staff preparation/student
holidays. If the public school system has for example, a teacher “in-service” day, do not assume
we are closed. When in doubt, please call the school office so you do not forfeit your lesson.
Recitals
Recitals are held once or twice a year. Participation is optional. Space permitting, students who
are not performing at a recital are welcome to attend. We occasionally take photos of students
performing at recitals and sometimes post them on our school bulletin board, a digital picture
frame in the waiting room or our school web site. If you would prefer not to have you or your
child’s photo displayed, please let the office manager know.
Leave of Absence
Sometimes a student will leave town for the summer or must discontinue lessons temporarily.
As a courtesy to the instructor and just as importantly to stop the auto draft on a timely basis, we
still require the same advance notice to discontinue lessons temporarily as we do if the student
is withdrawing from lessons. Again, please let us know by the 15th of the month if you will
miss lessons in the following month and do not wish to be charged. If you must miss lessons
for an extended period of time (more than 3 weeks), please let us know with as much advance
notice as possible. It is sometimes possible for a student to return to lessons in their old time slot,
but we can not “hold” or guarantee the student’s old time slot when the student will miss lessons
for an extended period of time and does not wish to be charged during the time when lessons are
being missed.
Care of Young Children
The school is not responsible for providing supervision before or after class. Parents with very
young students are asked to remain in the school during lessons. Students are not to be left at
the school for excessive time before or after class. Your child’s safety is important to us. Please
make arrangements to pick up your child as soon as the lesson is over.
Summary
•
Tuition is collected electronically on the 3rd day of each month. Avoid declined
transaction fees by letting us know if your banking or credit card information changes.
•
All communications regarding cancellations, scheduling, withdrawals and payment issues
must be done through our office manager at the front desk, not your teacher. Teachers do
NOT handle withdrawals, leaves of absence or payment issues.
•
Students must provide 24 hours advance notice for missed lessons in order to receive
a make-up lesson. Please do not cancel a lesson because you have not had time to
practice. Only one make-up lesson per quarter is allowed.
•
Your tuition reserves a place for you with a particular teacher at a specific time. Students
are charged for all lessons, including those missed through student absence/cancellation.
There are no refunds or “credits” to subsequent months for missed or cancelled lessons
unless caused by the teacher’s unavailability.
•
Teachers typically have lessons scheduled consecutively through out the day. Late
arrival will result in lost lesson time.
•
To withdraw from lessons and discontinue charges, students/parents must fill out a
withdrawal form by the 15th day of the month in order to discontinue charges for the
following months.
I have read and agree to the above policies.
x__________________________________
Name Printed
x__________________________________
Signature
Date