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Policies

The goal of the Sharon Music Academy is to create a welcoming environment to learn, explore, and enjoy music in many different forms. The following Policies are in place to help all members of the SMA community (students, faculty, families, and administration) achieve this goal and provide a productive teaching and learning environment. While we know that unexpected events may arise that necessitate an exception to these rules, the administration of the Sharon Music Academy reserves the right to determine if and when to grant any such exception.

Calendar

The Sharon Music Academy Academic calendar year consists of Fall (Sep 1st-Jan 31st), Spring (Feb 1st-Jun 30th), and Summer (Jul 1st-Aug 31st) semesters.

Private Lessons.

Enrolling a student in private instruction during the Fall or Spring semester entitles a student to receive 20 weekly private lessons each semester. For students enrolling after the start of the semester, the number of lessons and tuition fees will be prorated accordingly. Students can choose the number of weekly private lessons in the summer semester.

Tuition Structure, Payments and Fees

Annual Registration Fee

There is an annual non-refundable registration fee per student. Families with more than one student are eligible for a multi-sibling family discount. This fee is due at registration with a completed registration form for each new and returning student.

Payment Options for Private Instructions in the Fall and Spring Semesters

1. Payment in full for a semester

We accept cash, checks, PayPal payments, or Zelle transfers. For students starting in the middle of the semester, the tuition fee will be prorated.

2. Semester Installment Plan

For the convenience of our students, SMA provides an option to pay tuition for a semester in four equal monthly installments. Each installment is equal to one-quarter of the total payment for the semester and is due on or before the first day of the month. For students, starting in the middle of the semester, the number of installments and the installment amounts will be prorated. The installment plan option incurs additional fees ( see Tuition Fees ).

A. Post-Dated Checks Installment plan

For Fall Semester, the 1st check must be dated September 1st, the 2nd check must be dated October 1st, the 3rd check must be dated November 1st, and the 4th check must be dated December 1st. For Spring Semester, the 1st check must be dated February 1st, the 2nd check must be dated March 1st, the 3rd check must be dated April 1st, and the 4th check must be dated May 1st. Each check will be deposited on or after the date posted on the check. Payment in full or all four checks for the Installment Payment Plan for a semester must be received at least two weeks before the start date of the semester to guarantee the time slot. Fees for additional lessons over 20 regular lessons per semester will be billed separately.

B. Electronic monthly funds transfer

Installments paid electronically must be received before the first day of the month these installments become due. Payments over ten days late will incur a $25 late fee. SMA reserves the right to revoke this payment option and request full payment for the semester if an installment is more than ten days late. this payment plan has $25 payment plan fee that should be paid with the first installment.

Payment for Private instructions in the Summer semester

Payment for private instructions in the Summer semester should be made in full one week before the first lesson of the semester.

Payment for Group Courses, Programs, and Ensembles

Tuition fees for a group course, program, or ensemble must be paid in full five days before the start of the course or the program.

Miscellaneous Fees

Incidental fees, such as accompaniment fees or course materials, will be billed separately and must be paid in full within 10 days of receiving the billing statement.

Delinquent Accounts

Accounts with outstanding balances of over 10  working days will be charged a late payment fee of $25 per week. If a payment ( an installment payment including) is more than 21 days late, all instructional activities for the student(s) on the account will be suspended until the total balance for the semester is paid in full. Delinquent accounts referred for collection will be liable for all collection fees and costs.

Returned Checks

There is a $30 fee on all returned checks. The return check fee plus the original payment must be received by the Sharon Music Academy before any further lessons will be provided. A personal check will not be accepted as repayment for a returned check.

Absences and Cancellations

If a student misses a lesson, they will simply miss the benefit of that lesson. Please remember that your tuition pays for far more than just lesson time with you or your child. You can also opt to use Facetime, Skype, Zoom, or simply call to chat about your or your child’s progress during the time that is reserved for your child. Students are charged for all lessons for which they register, including those missed through the student’s absence. SMA allows only one make-up lesson per semester and only if the student attends the full semester. To be eligible for a make-up, a lesson must be canceled via email or text message to school administration no later than 10 am on the day of the lesson for an evening lesson and 7 pm of the day before a morning lesson. Failure to give a cancellation notice is considered a “No Show” for the lesson and is charged as a regular lesson. A make-up lesson can be scheduled during the last week of a semester or on any day agreed on by a student and instructor. SMA reserves the right to provide a make-up lesson with an instructor other than a regular student’s instructor and/or by extending the length of a regularly scheduled lesson. All lessons must be made up by the last day of the semester for which they were registered. After that, no make-up lessons will be given. Students and family members who stay home sick from school or work should not attend in-person lessons/classes. Any person who attends a lesson while being sick will be sent home, and that lesson will not be eligible for make-up. Missed make-up lessons will not be made up. There are no make-ups for group classes, workshops, and ensembles. SMA will make every effort to provide a make-up lesson in the summer semester, but due to the short duration of the summer semester, SMA can’t guarantee it.

Teacher Absence

Students will receive a personal notification in case of teacher absences. The school reserves the right to provide a substitute teacher if the regularly scheduled teacher is ill or otherwise unable to attend a lesson. If the school cannot arrange a substitute, the missed lessons will be made up later in the semester or refunded if SMA is unable to arrange for a make-up lesson.

Tardiness

Because of faculty members’ full schedules, students who are late for a lesson cannot be guaranteed their full lesson time. If the student does not notify SMA, via email or text message, of their tardiness in advance, the instructor will wait fifteen minutes for a student, after which it becomes a “No Show”.

Holidays and Vacations

SMA does not follow the cancellation or vacation dates of any one school or school district. Private lessons missed during the public school holidays and vacations or religious holidays will be made up only if the cancellation notification is given no later than 7 days in advance of the first day of the vacation. Cancellation has to be reported by e-mail. Verbal notice will not be accepted. Failure to give advanced notice for lesson cancellation is considered a “No Show” for the lesson and is charged as a regular lesson.

Prolonged Illness or Injury

Please notify the office immediately of any prolonged illness or injury which might affect lessons. Partial or full credit may be issued in cases of prolonged illness or injury. If a credit is issued, it is valid for one year from the date of issue.

Snow Policy

In case of a snow emergency, cancellations will be announced on Sharon Music Academy's website on the News & Events page. Students can also call SMA to check on weather-related closings. Sharon Music Academy does not call individual students about snow days. ONE snow day per student, per semester will be made up. If a group class or ensemble is canceled due to snow, one makeup group class or ensemble will be offered by the end of the semester. Please note that snow days occur only when schools close due to inclement weather. SMA reserves the right to provide remote/virtual private lessons on a snow day in order to avoid missed lessons.

Cancellation of Group Classes and Programs

Sharon Music Academy reserves the right to cancel any group classes or programs due to insufficient enrollment. If a class is canceled, full tuition and any applicable registration fees will be refunded to the student.

Withdrawls and Tuition Refund Policy

Withdrawal notification must be submitted to the Administration of the Sharon Music Academy in writing either by mail or email. Failure to attend classes/lessons does not qualify as notification. Failure to notify the office does not release a student from his/her financial obligation. Withdrawals from Fall or Spring Semester. If a private lesson student chooses to withdraw before the 4th scheduled lesson of a semester, a full refund will be given minus the payment for 4 lessons and registration and payment plan fees, which are non-refundable. Withdrawal after the 4th scheduled lesson requires four weeks’ notice. SMA will refund the balance for the remainder of the semester at the end of the notice period. There is no refund for withdrawals after Dec 1st in the Fall semester and after May 1st in the Spring semester, and after the 1st scheduled lesson of the Summer semester. In case of withdrawal, any scheduled make-up lessons will be canceled with no refunds or credits provided. In the case of minor injury or illness, SMA encourages students to continue attending lessons, if able, to work on other areas of musicianship. Withdrawals from ensembles, courses, and other group lessons and programs. Tuition will be fully refunded if a withdrawal notice is received two weeks before the start of the group lessons and programs.  75% of the tuition for a group lesson or program will be refunded if a withdrawal notice is received before the 2nd lesson. There are no refunds for withdrawal on or after the second lesson of any group lesson or program. Partial refunds may be considered for extenuating circumstances, such as prolonged illness or injury.

Student Dismissal

SMA reserves the right to dismiss a student if any of the following circumstances occur:
  • Failure to pay tuition on time
  • Persistent absences
  • Uncooperative attitude of a student or parent
  • Failure to comply with the SMA Policies
SMA will provide two weeks’ notice of dismissal. No refunds will be provided.

General Provisions

SMA is granted the right to take photographs or videos of the students to use in brochures, websites, posters, advertisements, and other promotional materials the Academy creates unless students provide email or mail notification of their preference otherwise. Permission is also hereby granted for the Academy to copyright such photographs in its name. These images and videos will not be distributed, sold, or used beyond Sharon Music Academy's promotional activities. The Academy is not responsible for providing care for students before and after scheduled student activities.

Privacy Policy

SMA takes your privacy seriously and will take all measures to protect personal information. Any personal information received will only be used to process your registration. SMA will not sell or redistribute your information to anyone.

Online Learning

There are additional policies for virtually offered lessons, classes, and ensembles:
  • Students should prepare for online lessons as they would in-person lessons, with the appropriate attire for school and a space suitable for learning.
  • Students or legal guardians should acknowledge and reply within 72 hours to email, text message, phone call, or any other communication from the SMA faculty or administration.
  • Students or legal guardians will make a reasonable effort to implement technical or procedural suggestions of the SMA faculty or administration to increase the effectiveness of online learning.