GENERAL POLICIES FOR PRIVATE & GROUP LESSONS
TUITION: The value of the year’s tuition (40 lessons, including summer lessons) is divided into eleven (11) equal monthly installments from September through July. Although the number of lessons varies from month to month, the monthly tuition remains unchanged. Except for the month of September, payments are due on the 1st of each month. Tuition is due in advance. Tuition is due by the 1st of each month (Example: October tuition is due by October 1st). After the 10th tuition is late and subject to the $10 late fee. Any unpaid balance over 30 days will result in your child not being permitted to take lessons. A $30 fee will be charged for any returned checks.
ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to arrive on time and be prepared for every lesson. The lesson time will not be extended if the student is late for the lesson. Students are also expected to bring all their books, materials and instruments necessary for their lessons. If students arrive without the necessary material/instruments, they are still expected to attend their lesson. Only enrolled students and/or their parents/guardians may attend the class sessions.
FACULTY: All teachers at AMA are highly qualified, university trained educators. We will assign a teacher that we feel is most appropriate for each student. Sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances, students may have to be assigned to a new teacher. Such changes are rare, but will always be positive and offer students new learning perspectives. If a student desires to change instructors, a written request must be submitted to the director. AMA’s teachers are not allowed to teach outside the Academy. Any soliciting/seeking private instruction from AMA’s teachers by present of former student is strictly prohibited.
SAFETY AND SUPERVISION: For your own safety, AMA requests that children under the age of 12 to be under the supervision of their caregiver at any time they are not at their lesson/class or AMA event. AMA cannot provide supervision and is not responsible for students’ safety before or after their lesson times. Children must be picked up promptly when their lesson is over. Students must be picked up within 5 minutes after the lesson ends. If students must wait for a ride home after their lessons, they should remain in the waiting area rather than outside. If, for the purposes of safety, an instructor or other staff member has to wait after regular business hours with a child for a caregiver who is running late, there will be an additional charge of $25 added to the student’s account.
RELEASE: Any photographs, audio, or videos of student or families on AMA facilities or events may be used in promotional publications or press releases. There will be no compensation for the release.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE: Students are expected to demonstrate continued interest through their positive attitude during the lessons, regular weekly practice schedule and steady progress. Amount of practice required for each student varies due to age and level. The student’s progress will be monitored throughout the year to determine whether the practice time/quality is satisfactory.
AMA Recitals — there will be two recitals per year. One held in the end of the fall semester and one in the end of the spring semester. See the AMA calendar for specific dates. Recital fees are included in registration fee.
OTHER EVENTS: Students who would like to participate in exams, evaluations, auditions, competitions and festivals are required to fill out an application form (one form per each event) and appropriate registration fee must be paid. Teachers will be required to submit the forms to the office by the AMA deadline with no exceptions.
USE OF AMA AND AUMC FACILITY: Students and families are expected to use instruments and equipments at the AMA facility carefully and respectfully. Any instrument or equipment damaged by the student is expected to be repaired by the student.
WITHDRAW: To discontinue lessons and suspend automatic charges prior to the completion of the year, please notify the AMA director by filling out a Withdrawal Form one full month prior from the first of the month, even if the first of the month is a School Holiday. Last day to withdraw is June 1st. Only written notice is sufficient. $50 withdrawal fee is expected to be paid upon withdrawal. If a one full month withdrawal notice is not provided, the tuition and fees for the entire month are still due and payable. Tuition is not refundable, and not transferable.
DISMISSAL: AMA reserves the right to dismiss a student due to nonpayment of tuition, frequent unexcused absences or tardiness, failure to abide by AMA policies, or behavioral problems.
Your registration is for the whole year, any “break” you take during the year, other than medical reasons (doctor’s note required), is considered as withdraw.
STUDENT ABSENCES: It is the responsibility of the student or parent to notify AMA or the teacher for any absences PRIOR to the lesson time. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the lesson and will not be eligible for make up lessons. There is a maximum of 3 make up lessons per year, make-up lessons are available for absences due to illness only. Make-up lessons need to be arranged through the front office by filling out a Make-Up Lesson Request Form. On occasions, the make-up lessons may be with another qualified teacher. An absence for any reason during the mutually agreed upon scheduled make-up lessons is considered a forfeited lesson.
TEACHER ABSENSES: In the event that a teacher is absent, AMA will provide a highly qualified and experienced substitute who will ensure the proper continuity of students’ classes. If a substitute teacher is not available, we will make every effort to contact students to arrange a make up lesson.
INCLEMENT WEATHER: If in doubt about whether AMA is closed due to bad weather, call the AMA phone number; the voice mail will be changed to announce school closing for weather or other unusual circumstances. Missed lessons due to inclement weather will be made up in a Master Class format. Please contact the front desk for the Master Class Schedule.
MAKE-UP LESSONS
STUDENT ABSENCES: There will be no make-up lessons for group classes. However, the student may try to attend a similar class, if available. This may be arranged with the front office and is not guaranteed.
TEACHER ABSENCES: If the class is cancelled due to teacher absence, AMA will provide a highly qualified and experienced substitute who will ensure the proper continuity of the classes. If a substitute teacher is not available, we will make every effort to contact the students to inform them of the make-up class time.
INCLEMENT WEATHER: If in doubt about whether AMA is closed due to bad weather, call the AMA phone number; the voice mail will be changed to announce school closing for weather or other unusual circumstances. AMA will arrange and inform the students of the make-up class time.
AMA reserves the right to withdraw or discontinue any class for which enrollment is insufficient to organize or continue. Group classes will run continuously throughout the year to fulfill the number of weeks of the specific curriculum.
Only enrolled students and/or their parents/guardians may attend the class sessions. In order to maintain an orderly and effective classroom atmosphere, no additional family members are allowed. Guests may be invited by permission of the teacher or administrator only.
For more information please contact Executive Director Anastasia Markina at Anastasia@ArgyleUMC or at 940.464.1333 ext. 116.
