At Prince William String Academy, we understand that life can get complicated. We also know that successful and fulfilling musical and performing arts & entertainment studies depend on regular commitment. That’s why we’ve designed our policies to give you as much flexibility as possible while still promoting consistency.
Our teachers reserve time on their schedules, plan for your classes and lessons, and invest in the long-term development of each student. To provide consistent, fun & inspirational learning and event experiences, the following policies need to be observed.
The following Terms and Conditions apply to all lesson agreements made between Prince William String Academy and its students and the parents/carers of its students (“the student”).
Term/Semester Dates: Term dates will be sent out via email at the beginning of each new term. You can also find the dates posted near the front door of PWMA. Lessons take place every week during the academic school year unless otherwise indicated on the term dates. Please refer to the calendar when possible.
Tuition: Prince William String Academy works on a rolling admission basis. New students joining can start anytime and their tuition will be prorated. The lesson agreement between Prince William String Academy and the pupil is a rolling agreement that continues into each new month during the academic year. Tuition is based on enrollment. Not attendance. The tuition fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Monthly payments are derived by how many weeks are in the given month (ex: Lessons are on Tuesdays- There are 4 Tuesdays in February- Tuition is for 4 lessons)
Payment and Late Payments:
We accept Visa and MasterCard. For your convenience, we require automatic billing through our online payment processing portal. This is a proven safe, secure and convenient way to pay ongoing fees while enrolled at the school.
We have a late payment fee policy of $10. If tuition payments are not received by the 10th day of the month due to an invalid/expired card it is considered late and the fee will automatically be applied, with no exceptions. It is the student's/parents' responsibility to ensure we have been provided valid credit/debit card information.
Absences and Makeup Policy:
If a student needs to miss a private lesson, they must cancel their lesson through the Opus1 portal at least 24 hours in advance of their scheduled lesson. If the cancellation is received 24 hours in advance then a makeup lesson date and time will be found that is mutually agreeable between the student and the teacher. There will be no makeup lessons for notifications less than 24 hours before the scheduled lesson and the fee is billable.
In case of a teacher’s absence, a qualified substitute may be brought in or your teacher will work to find a mutually agreeable day for the makeup lesson.
If a makeup lesson is canceled or “no show” then the lesson will be billable and no makeup lesson will be scheduled.
All makeup lesson credits will expire at the end of each term unless otherwise agreed upon.
No makeup lessons or credits will be provided for an individual's absence from a group lesson or any other group-based tuition activity.
Student Withdrawal:
We do not have long-term contracts for our students, but we do require notice of cancellation before the beginning of the next month to not incur the full month charge. This is a courtesy that is required to honor our teacher’s schedule and the commitment that they have put forth to be available during your weekly lesson time/day. There are no refunds on payments already made and no transfers of payments to another program will be allowed. Please email katherine@pwstringacademy.com with your request to cancel monthly lessons.
Inclement Weather:
We do not follow the PWCS or MCPS weather closures. If there is inclement weather, check with your private teacher or look for updates in your email about studio closures. If the studio is closed due to inclement weather, students will be given a virtual lesson instead or in some cases a makeup in person lesson if the teacher is agreeable.
Child Safety:
To ensure your child’s safety, children under the age of 7 will not be allowed to wait in the reception area unattended. It is expected that everyone wait quietly as to not disturb ongoing lessons. Please do not drop off students more than 10 minutes prior to lesson time and pick them up promptly. Prince William String Academy faculty and staff do not supervise children waiting in the reception area before and/or after classes/lessons.
Photo/Video Policy:
Prince William String Academy may use film or still photographs of students for appropriate promotional purposes.
You (or your parents if you are under 18 years of age) must inform PWSA in writing at any time if you will not allow the use of such images.
Changes to the Terms and Conditions:
The Terms and Conditions described above are agreed to upon enrollment and may be changed at any point by Prince William String Academy without providing notice to the pupil. A copy of the Terms and Conditions will always be available on our website and may be emailed to the pupil on request.