Not-for-profit Corporation, Non-Discriminatory Organization
The School for Strings, Inc. has been a tax-exempt, not-for-profit corporation since 1977. The School for Strings admits students of any race, color, gender and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis or race, color, gender and national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and/or any other school-administered programs.
Attendance Policy
The School expects regular attendance from both the children and the parents. In case of an emergency, when a parent can not attend a given lesson, the School urges that the child be sent with a substitute who will take notes and tape the lesson so that the parent can maintain continuity of practicing at home. If a child's absence is unavoidable because of illness or a family emergency, parents are requested to notify the office as soon as possible, explaining that the child will be absent and giving the reason for the absence. Insufficient practicing, or absences for birthday parties or other social occasions, are not considered valid by the School.
As students progress through the materials they are automatically assigned additional classes including chamber ensembles and orchestra which will require attendance on Saturdays. Teenagers in the Advanced Program meet for their chamber ensembles and orchestra classes on Friday nights. All of the same information pertaining to attendances and absences mentioned above apply for the Friday night and Saturday programs.
Lesson and Class Make-up Policy
Teachers are required to make up lessons and classes that they miss. Teachers are not required to make up lessons missed by the students. However, if a student is absent from the lesson for a valid reason, the School requests that the teacher make every effort to make up the missed lesson, but cannot guarantee that such a lesson will be made up.
Performances
The School presents two series of solo recital performances, two chamber music recitals, two Festivals for string players and one Orchestra Concert per year. Participation in these events is part of the educational program and is mandatory.
Open-School Policy
The School maintains an open-door policy. Applicants to The School for Strings are encouraged to visit the School during its most active days. Parents and students at the School should expect to see visitors at classes and lessons as this is part of the School's curriculum for both beginning level students and teachers-in-training.
Exposure to good music, and to the sight and sound of the instruments the children are studying, is basic to the Suzuki approach. Children who have waiting time between lessons and classes are urged to visit other lessons or classes being given during that time. Children are also invited to visit the School on days other than those when they are assigned to their own lessons and classes, and to participate in the group-playing classes held on those days.
Financial Policies
Scholarships: Eligibility for scholarship is based on both financial need and a proof of commitment to the program on the part of the student and the family. Scholarship applicants are required to submit a completed financial application and letter of recommendation from their teacher. Because of these requirements, scholarships are only available to students who have successfully completed the first year of study.
Payment of Tuition: In all the programs offered at The School for Strings the tuition and fees are charged in September at registration. In the Suzuki Program, first-year students must pay the entire year's charges at registration. Returning students may arrange, if necessary, to make their payments in two installments without a surcharge, or up to six installments with a bookkeeping fee of 5% of tuition. Payment of the year's charges must be completed by April 1. If the installment payment is not received on time the School will charge a late payment fee. Instruction may be withheld until the installment is paid. In the Start-Up Program tuition may be paid weekly. Families, however, assume the obligation to pay the entire year's tuition by the end of the School year. If families do not keep up with the weekly payment schedule, the School will charge a late payment fee. Members of the Teacher-Training Program may arrange to make their payments in two installments without a surcharge, or up to six installments with a bookkeeping fee of 5% tuition.
Refunds and Withdrawals: Students register in the fall for the full year of instruction. If within the first three weeks of the school year a family encounters an emergency which requires withdrawing the child from the School, the School will make a tuition refund on a pro-rated basis. AFTER THE THIRD WEEK OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, THERE CAN BE NO TUITION REFUNDS.
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