Guidelines & Policies
There are four easy ways to register for classes at the Ann Arbor School for Performing Arts. Click here to learn more.
Enrollment Fees
These fees are not refundable. Registration will not be processed without payment.
- $35 Annual Family 2011-2012 Registration Fee – one required per family. The registration fee is for the entire school year. (The registration fee is waived for the scholarship students). Students/families enrolling for the 2nd (spring) semester only will be charged $20.
- $35 Installment Plan Fee
- $25 Returned Check Fee
Payment
The student (or parent/guardian) is financially responsible for all classes and lessons attended. Unregistered students who attend classes and lessons will be billed for the full semester tuition. Registration will not be processed without payment.
Tuition and fees may be paid with:
- Visa/MasterCard/American Express/Discover
- Check (payable to Ann Arbor School of the Performing Arts)
- Money Order
Payment Schedule
Full tuition payments are due at the beginning of the semester. The student may not begin lessons or classes until registration has been received and confirmed by the AA-SPA office. Tuition may be pro-rated for students who enroll mid semester – for more information, please call the office at 734/213-2000.
Payment Options
| Registration | Payment | Description | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Register for full year (fall & spring semesters). | Pay in full - prepay for the academic year. | Full payment is due at registration. | If you register and pay by July 1, 2011, all registration fees will be waived. |
| Register for full year (fall & spring semester). | Pay in two installments, one per semester. | First payment must be at registration. The second payment will be made by the first day of the 2nd semester. | If you register and pay by July 1, 2011, all registration fees will be waived. Pay the installment plan fee. |
| Register for full year (fall & spring semester). | Pay over a maximum of eight monthly installments | First payment must be made at registration. All subsequent payments will be made by the 1st of each of the following months. | When you register: Pay the $35 registration fee and the installment plan fee. |
| Register for one semester only. | Pay in full. | Full payment is due at registration before the first lesson and/or class. | When you register: Pay the $35 registration fee. |
All balances must be satisfied by the conclusion of each semester and before registering for the next semester in order for a student to continue with lessons or ensembles. AA-SPA reserves the right to dismiss students for non-payment of tuition. In addition, outstanding balances may be referred to an outside collection agency.
Accent-Plus Discount
Total tuition may be reduced by 10% for each additional class the student registers for.
Family Allowance
If two or more family members are enrolled, the less expensive invoice(s) will be reduced by 10%.
Withdrawals & Refunds
If a student withdraws from a class or ensemble before the end of the second week of the semester by informing the school in writing, the pro-rated balance of the semester tuition will be refunded. No refunds will be given for withdrawals from classes or ensembles after the second week of the semester. The registration fee is non-refundable. AA-SPA reserves the right to cancel any class due to insufficient enrollment. In those cases, all fees will be refunded.
Private Music Lessons
If a student withdraws from private lessons before week ten of the fifteen-week semester, pro-rated fees will be refunded. If withdrawing after week ten, no refund will be due. The registration fee is non-refundable.
The Ann Arbor School for the Performing Arts, a non-profit education organization, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, or other school-administered programs.
The arts naturally foster personal discipline. All students are expected to exhibit respectful, attentive behavior towards directors, coaches, instructors, and other musicians. AA-SPA reserves the right to dismiss students for non-adherence to policies. It is each student's and/or parent's responsibility to read and understand AA-SPA policies.
Attendance & Tardiness
Remember: Consistency is the key to excellence! Although sometimes it is impossible to arrive on time, please respect your instructors by making habit of prompt arrival!
Classes, Ensembles, and Workshops AA-SPA does not offer make up classes or ensemble rehearsals for sessions missed by students. Classes will be made up if there is a weather closing or teacher cancellation. Musicians in ensembles are expected to arrive early enough to be unpacked, warmed-up, and seated to begin on time. In all cases, that means planning to arrive at least fifteen minutes before the rehearsal or class is scheduled to begin.
Private Music Lessons Students registered for private lessons are allowed one excused absence per semester. In those cases, a 24-hour notice must be given by the student to be offered a make-up lesson. If proper notice is not received, the lesson will be considered forfeited and the student will be billed for the scheduled time. Students should call both the school and the individual teacher. Lessons owed that are not taken by the end of the make-up week are forfeited unless the lessons were missed by the instructor or cancelled due to weather. Teachers will allow ten minutes to pass from the scheduled start of an individual lesson; then it will be considered a forfeited lesson and the student will be billed for the scheduled time. If a student is late for a lesson, the lesson will still end at the scheduled time. Rescheduled lessons need to be taught within the same semester.
Weather Closings
The message machine at the school (734) 213-2000 and the school's website will have the current status of classes and ensembles as of 2:00 p.m. with final information for that day. In general, AA-SPA follows weather cancellation decisions made by the Ann Arbor Public Schools. Please do not drop your child off for a rehearsal or lesson if you are not sure it is taking place!
Classes, Ensembles & Workshops Large ensembles (e.g. orchestra) will establish an e-mail communication tree for the purposes of last-minute rehearsal status; please provide the school with a viable e-mail address. Class or small ensemble instructors (e.g. Jazz Combos, Music Play, Keyboard Music Club) will reschedule one class that was cancelled because of weather conditions during the designated make-up week at the end of each semester. If more than one class has been cancelled because of weather, the student will receive a pro-rated refund.
Private Music Lessons If the Ann Arbor Public Schools have closed because of inclement weather, private students should consider their lesson cancelled unless it is mutually decided with the teacher to meet for the lesson; under some circumstances lessons can take place even when group activities are not practical. Students should discuss cancellations due to weather with their teacher directly as there may not be anyone answering the phone at the school. One private lesson cancellation due to the weather will be rescheduled during the make-up week. If there are more than one cancellation and the instructor is unable to reschedule, a pro-rated refund or credit for the next semester will be applied.
Student Safety and the Learning Environment
The waiting area of the school is for the comfort and convenience of families who are waiting during music instruction and supports a positive learning environment in the studio or classroom. Adult supervision is not provided for children left alone at the school. Do not drop off young students who are sixth grade and younger without an adult. Do not drop off young students earlier than 20 minutes before the start of a scheduled lesson. Young siblings must be supervised while waiting and may not run in the building or play on the staircase.