1. General Expectations

·   Students should arrive punctually and prepared for their assigned lesson, class, or ensemble time.

·   Regular practice is an important part of musical development. Parents and guardians are encouraged to support an age-appropriate practice routine and may ask the instructor for guidance.

·   Students, families, faculty, staff, and visitors are expected to treat one another courteously and to respect shared teaching and waiting spaces. Young children must be adequately supervised.

·   Parents and guardians are welcome to observe lessons when appropriate. An adult accompanying a student under age 13 should remain on the premises during the lesson unless another arrangement has been approved.

·   Students and families may be held financially responsible for intentional or negligent damage to CMS property, instruments, furnishings, or equipment.

·   Students are responsible for obtaining an appropriate instrument and required materials unless CMS or the instructor has arranged otherwise.

·       CMS teaching rooms and common areas are shared spaces. Rooms must be scheduled or reserved through the School, and students and families should use the room assigned for their lesson, class, or ensemble.

·       Please keep personal instruments and belongings with you or otherwise secured. CMS cannot assume responsibility for loss or damage to items left unsecured on the premises.

·       Pets are not permitted in CMS facilities. Service animals and other accessibility-related needs will be handled in accordance with applicable requirements; families are encouraged to contact CMS administration in advance when an arrangement may help us provide a safe and welcoming learning environment.

2. Attendance, Cancellations & Scheduling

·   Private study depends on consistent attendance. Students should communicate anticipated absences as early as possible.

·   Generally, at least 24 hours notice is required to cancel or reschedule a private lesson. A lesson canceled without sufficient notice may be charged and may not be eligible for a makeup. Illness and unsafe travel conditions may be handled with reasonable flexibility.

·   Scheduling and cancellation procedures may vary slightly by instructor or program. Students should follow the procedure communicated by CMS and their assigned instructor.

·   Repeated cancellations or extended unexplained absences may result in loss of a standing lesson time or discontinuation of enrollment. CMS will attempt to contact the family before taking such action when practical.

·   Requests to change teachers or permanent lesson times should be directed to CMS administration. Changes will be accommodated when space and instructor availability permit.

·   If a student plans to pause lessons for an extended period, contact CMS administration in advance. A regular lesson time cannot be guaranteed during a prolonged absence unless a specific arrangement has been approved.

·       In-home or other approved travel lessons may be available in specific circumstances when a student is not reasonably able to travel to a CMS location. These arrangements are intended to support access to instruction and may be considered for disability, mobility, health, transportation, or other individual circumstances. Travel lessons require advance approval, instructor availability, a safe and suitable teaching environment, and reasonable travel distance.

·       The standard in-home lesson travel surcharge is $35 per month unless a different written arrangement is approved by CMS.

3. Make-up Lessons & Missed Instruction

·   Eligible missed lessons may be made up by rescheduling, extending a future lesson, adding minutes over several lessons, scheduling an additional lesson during a school break, or another method agreed upon by the instructor and CMS.

·   When appropriate, a makeup may be completed with another CMS instructor.

·   CMS tuition is structured around an average of four private lessons per month. Months containing a fifth occurrence of a lesson day may provide an additional lesson at no additional charge or may be used to offset makeup obligations.

·   If CMS or an instructor cancels instruction, CMS will make a reasonable effort to provide a makeup, substitute instruction, remote instruction, or an account credit, depending on the circumstances.

·   If a teacher leaves CMS, the School will work to assign another instructor as soon as possible. Lessons missed during the transition will be made up or credited when appropriate.

·   Credits or refunds are not normally issued for student absences when a makeup option has been offered and remains available.

4. Weather, Emergency Closings & Remote Lessons

·   CMS makes closing and safety decisions based on local conditions and may make decisions independently of area school districts.

·   When travel is unsafe or the School closes because of weather or another emergency, instruction may be moved online, rescheduled, made up later, or credited as appropriate.

·   Closure information will be communicated through available CMS channels, which may include the website, social media, email, text, or direct communication from staff or instructors.

5. Tuition, Fees & Payment

·   Classes, ensembles, workshops, and enrichment programs are priced separately and vary by class or session. Group lessons and enrichment classes may be priced from $75 per instructional hour; families should contact CMS for current program-specific pricing.

·   Tuition is prepaid monthly and is generally based on four lessons per month. Payment may be made by invoice or approved autopay method.

·   Monthly tuition is due by the 5th of the calendar month, regardless of when the first lesson occurs.

·   A $15 late fee is automatically applied to payments not received by the 10th of the month. Accounts remaining unpaid for 45 days may be placed on administrative hold until satisfactory payment arrangements are made.

·   A $35 returned-check fee is charged per occurrence. Comparable failed-payment expenses may also be passed through when applicable.

·   Families experiencing a payment problem should contact CMS administration promptly. Any alternative payment arrangement must be approved by CMS rather than assumed from a conversation with an instructor.

6. Credits, Refunds & Voluntary Donation of Unused Tuition

·   If a missed lesson qualifies for a tuition credit or refund under CMS policy, the amount may be applied to the student account or future instruction, refunded when appropriate, or handled through another CMS-approved arrangement.

·   As a nonprofit organization, CMS also gives families the option to voluntarily donate an eligible unused tuition credit back to the School. Donated amounts help offset administrative and operational costs and support CMS programs; this option is never required.

·   A donation election is optional. Students and families may instead request the credit, refund, or account adjustment for which they are otherwise eligible.

·   Refunds are not generally provided for completed instruction, late cancellations, no-shows, or missed makeup opportunities.

7. Classes, Ensembles & Group Programs

·   Classes and ensembles may require minimum enrollment. CMS may postpone, combine, modify, or cancel a group program when enrollment is insufficient or circumstances make the program impractical.

·   Enrollment in a class or ensemble is for the announced session or term. Tuition policies, attendance expectations, rehearsal schedules, and performance commitments may differ from private lessons and will be communicated with the program information.

·   Student absences from regularly scheduled group activities ordinarily do not create an individual makeup obligation.

·   CMS ensembles and performance programs may include public performances. Students should communicate known conflicts promptly so directors can plan appropriately.

8. Communication & Student Records

·   Routine lesson-specific communication may occur between students or parents and the assigned instructor. Billing, enrollment changes, permanent scheduling changes, complaints, and administrative matters should be directed to CMS administration.

·   Families should keep current contact information on file and review scheduling information regularly. CMS relies on accurate schedules and timely communication so shared teaching spaces and instructor time can be used fairly.

·   During an instructor transition, CMS will coordinate communications and reassignment of students. Families are encouraged to respond promptly to scheduling outreach so the School can preserve existing lesson times whenever possible.

9. Student Conduct, Safety & Dismissal

·   CMS may take corrective action or discontinue enrollment for disruptive, threatening, unsafe, or seriously disrespectful conduct; repeated nonattendance; nonpayment; intentional property damage; or other behavior that materially interferes with instruction or the safety of the CMS community.

·   Weapons, illegal drugs, and unlawful use of controlled substances are prohibited at CMS activities and locations, except as otherwise required by law.

·   When appropriate, CMS will first attempt to address concerns with the student or parent/guardian. Immediate action may be taken when safety, serious misconduct, or significant disruption is involved.

10. Inclusive Access & Nondiscrimination

Community Music School of Northern New York is committed to expanding access to music education and performance opportunities for individuals regardless of background, abilities, or resources. We recognize that students learn, communicate, move, and participate in different ways. Our goal is to work collaboratively with students and families to create a welcoming, flexible learning environment, including adaptive approaches when appropriate.

·   CMS does not discriminate in admission to or administration of its programs on the basis of legally protected status. Students and families are encouraged to share accessibility needs that are relevant to instruction or participation so CMS can discuss reasonable supports, scheduling options, room arrangements, remote instruction, or approved travel lessons when appropriate.

11. Policy Administration

·   CMS may update these policies when operational, legal, financial, or program needs change. Material changes will be communicated to enrolled families.

·   Program-specific terms, instructor-specific pricing, scholarship terms, grant-funded program requirements, or written special arrangements may supplement this document. When there is a conflict, the most specific written CMS-approved term will govern that program or arrangement.

·   Questions about these policies should be directed to Community Music School of Northern New York administration.