Policies and Procedures
Policies include:
Weather and Closings
Insufficient Enrollment
Make up Class/Lesson Policies
Payment and Fees Policies
Student Attendance
Photography Rights
Weather and Closings
Insufficient Enrollment
Make up Class/Lesson Policies
Payment and Fees Policies
Student Attendance
Photography Rights
Weather Events and Closing
Before calling the Academy, check the Welcome Page (homepage) for frequent updates regarding school closings due to weather. If there is no update, the Academy is open for classes and lesson. During weekdays, we post updates throughout the day if needed. On weekends, the first post will be up by 7:30 AM.
Insufficient Enrollment Classes
Classes with fewer than 6 students are considered "Insufficient Enrollment" classes. In these cases, our options are:
1) Cancel the class, or
2) Raise the tuition for each student for the class, or
3) Decrease the class length and tuition remains the same.
While the Academy reserves the right to cancel insufficiently enrolled classes, these classes can often proceed on a short term basis, preventing the inconvenience and disappointment of class cancellation. In most cases, Option 3 above is the best option. Originally suggested by a parent, this practice has benefited many families since its adoption in 2010. Classes are able to proceed, the student/teacher ratio is very small so it justifies the increased tuition per minute, and tuition total does not have to be increased as in Option 2. The following are the policies and guidelines for Option 3 Insufficient Enrollment Classes:
Group Class Make Up Policies
Unless class is cancelled due to an emergency weather situation or the like, we cannot offer make up lessons for group classes. The only exception would be if there is another class being taught at the same level and on the same curriculum time table as your original class. This class may be attended if the teacher gives you and the office a confirmation of approval.
Private Lesson Make Up Policies
The overall school policy is teachers are not required to make up lessons that are missed by the student for any reason. Registration purchases a specific lesson time slot whether it is used or not. However, most teachers will allow a single make-up over a period of months. Please inquire directly with your teacher at your Introductory Lesson.
Summer Lessons/Classes
Music/Acting education is year-round at the Academy. However, you can take advantage of a Summer 2-Week Allowance to accommodate planned summer vacations. Email the Academy Office and let us know the two dates you will be absent. We will refund back to your credit card for the two dates the month after your vacation dates after confirmation from your instructor that you did not attend your classes or lessons. However, lesson dates listed in your email request that have passed already will not be honored. Homework assignments or video recordings of the class will not be emailed for refunded classes.
The Summer Allowance gives our Academy families and our instructors to take a needed vacation that is, on average, two weeks long. Due to the varying vacations schedules between families and instructors, the Academy expects both families AND instructors to be flexible with makeups during the months of July and August. For the rest of the year, our no makeup policy applies.
"Dropping out" for several weeks or for the entire Summer is considered a withdrawal, and those procedures should be followed under "Withdrawal Policy". It may be that your teacher will still have room for you at the end of Summer in which case you are welcome to re-register. However, we unfortunately cannot hold a lesson time with a teacher for extended weeks absences.
Calendar
The Academy classes and lessons are year round except for specific dates listed on the Calendar page.
Three-Week Money-Back Guarantee for New Students
For first time students, you are not satisfied with your classes or lessons, email the Academy Office within the first three weeks of classes or lessons and we will refund all prepaid tuition including the classes or lessons that have already occurred minus the registration fee. Phone or verbal notification will not be considered. A refund will not be issued on the day of the fourth class or lesson.
Before calling the Academy, check the Welcome Page (homepage) for frequent updates regarding school closings due to weather. If there is no update, the Academy is open for classes and lesson. During weekdays, we post updates throughout the day if needed. On weekends, the first post will be up by 7:30 AM.
Insufficient Enrollment Classes
Classes with fewer than 6 students are considered "Insufficient Enrollment" classes. In these cases, our options are:
1) Cancel the class, or
2) Raise the tuition for each student for the class, or
3) Decrease the class length and tuition remains the same.
While the Academy reserves the right to cancel insufficiently enrolled classes, these classes can often proceed on a short term basis, preventing the inconvenience and disappointment of class cancellation. In most cases, Option 3 above is the best option. Originally suggested by a parent, this practice has benefited many families since its adoption in 2010. Classes are able to proceed, the student/teacher ratio is very small so it justifies the increased tuition per minute, and tuition total does not have to be increased as in Option 2. The following are the policies and guidelines for Option 3 Insufficient Enrollment Classes:
- 1-2 students - If a class falls to this level, the school reserves the right to cancel any remaining classes and either issue a class credit or a refund. In certain cases, we may offer to run a class of 2 for 30 minutes short term. Transfer to private lessons may also be a good option.
- 3-5 Students becomes a 40-45 minute class.
- 6 or More Students - Considered Full Enrollment Classes.
- Classes that are regularly scheduled for 45 minutes due to age (ex. Music in Me), may be reduced to 30 minutes depending on enrollment.
- When Toddler Tunes classes run, they will always be 30 minutes in length and require 5 students in order to hold a class.
Group Class Make Up Policies
Unless class is cancelled due to an emergency weather situation or the like, we cannot offer make up lessons for group classes. The only exception would be if there is another class being taught at the same level and on the same curriculum time table as your original class. This class may be attended if the teacher gives you and the office a confirmation of approval.
Private Lesson Make Up Policies
The overall school policy is teachers are not required to make up lessons that are missed by the student for any reason. Registration purchases a specific lesson time slot whether it is used or not. However, most teachers will allow a single make-up over a period of months. Please inquire directly with your teacher at your Introductory Lesson.
Summer Lessons/Classes
Music/Acting education is year-round at the Academy. However, you can take advantage of a Summer 2-Week Allowance to accommodate planned summer vacations. Email the Academy Office and let us know the two dates you will be absent. We will refund back to your credit card for the two dates the month after your vacation dates after confirmation from your instructor that you did not attend your classes or lessons. However, lesson dates listed in your email request that have passed already will not be honored. Homework assignments or video recordings of the class will not be emailed for refunded classes.
The Summer Allowance gives our Academy families and our instructors to take a needed vacation that is, on average, two weeks long. Due to the varying vacations schedules between families and instructors, the Academy expects both families AND instructors to be flexible with makeups during the months of July and August. For the rest of the year, our no makeup policy applies.
"Dropping out" for several weeks or for the entire Summer is considered a withdrawal, and those procedures should be followed under "Withdrawal Policy". It may be that your teacher will still have room for you at the end of Summer in which case you are welcome to re-register. However, we unfortunately cannot hold a lesson time with a teacher for extended weeks absences.
Calendar
The Academy classes and lessons are year round except for specific dates listed on the Calendar page.
Three-Week Money-Back Guarantee for New Students
For first time students, you are not satisfied with your classes or lessons, email the Academy Office within the first three weeks of classes or lessons and we will refund all prepaid tuition including the classes or lessons that have already occurred minus the registration fee. Phone or verbal notification will not be considered. A refund will not be issued on the day of the fourth class or lesson.
Payment Method and Policies:
All lessons and classes are paid on a monthly basis by autocharge to your credit card on file. Please CLICK HERE for details.
Photography Rights
The Academy reserves the right to use photos and videos taken in classes, lessons, camps and at school events for promotional materials.
Class Attendance
Class or lesson attendance is vital to student progress and a successful recital. Students missing class frequently may not be allowed to participate on recitals or sharings.
All lessons and classes are paid on a monthly basis by autocharge to your credit card on file. Please CLICK HERE for details.
Photography Rights
The Academy reserves the right to use photos and videos taken in classes, lessons, camps and at school events for promotional materials.
Class Attendance
Class or lesson attendance is vital to student progress and a successful recital. Students missing class frequently may not be allowed to participate on recitals or sharings.
