Fine Arts Lesson Program

Private Lessons
Policies & Procedures for the 2009-2010 Academic Year
For the convenience of our families and to insure the proper continuity and growth in our arts programming North Cobb Christian School offers a limited number of private lesson opportunities each year.  (Note: a link to the Registration Form is at the bottom of the page)

LESSON PROGRAM COMMITMENT

• The lesson program is designed to accelerate a young musician's mastery in his/her chosen discipline. As such, families are expected to enter into the program with the good faith intention of continuing throughout the school year and into the summer if possible. PLEASE DISCUSS THIS COMMITMENT WITHIN YOUR FAMILY UNIT PRIOR TO REGISTRATION!
• If withdrawal from the lesson program becomes necessary, families MUST submit a written/e-mail notice to Libby Davenport, the program coordinator, 30 days prior to the desired date of withdrawal. Click here to email Ms. Davenport.
• Payment of a full month's lesson tuition will be required if the proper written/e-mail notice is not given.

GENERAL LESSON INFORMATION

• Lessons are available for 1st through 5th grade students during the school day and after school.
• Lessons are available for 6th through 12th grade students after school only.
• The number of students the Fine Arts' faculty is able to serve will be determined by teacher, time of day desired and classroom availability.
• Each lesson will be taught weekly and is 30 minutes in length.
• Due to national holidays, teacher in-service days, inclement weather, and other uncontrollable variables, it is NOT POSSIBLE to guarantee that a set number of lessons will be held each month. For this reason, beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year, we are setting up our program around the total number of lessons each student will receive instead of a set number each month. With that explanation given and based on our research, each student will be able to receive a total of 28 lessons during the 2009-2010 academic year.
• In order to be more equitable than in years passed, lessons will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis, BASED ON THE RECEIPT OF THE REQUIRED REGISTRATION FORM AND REGISTRATION FEE. Previous lesson program involvement will not provide for lesson spots being "held" without completion of the required registration process. Incomplete forms, or forms not accompanied by a check for the registration fee will not be processed until all of these items are complete.
• IT IS CRUCIAL THAT CURRENT LESSON PROGRAM FAMILIES REGISTER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU WISH TO HAVE THE BEST SCHEDULING POSITION POSSIBLE.
• Actual lesson schedules cannot be created until the 2009-2010 academic year has opened, and teachers have finalized their daily classroom schedules. The actual "first lesson week" usually occurs shortly after Labor Day weekend. Families will be notified by e-mail communication and/or personal phone call from the program coordinator and/or the lesson provider as to when their student(s) will begin lessons.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS FOR THE LESSON PROGRAM?

• There is a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $45.00 per child, per type of lesson desired. This fee covers the costs of student books and supplies plus building usage.

• The cost of each private lesson is $20.50 per 30-minute session. That means a total academic school year cost of $574 ($20.50 per lesson X 28 lessons = $575), resulting in a monthly billable rate of $71.75 per month, billed in advance on the first day of each month, September through April.  NOTE: The Atlanta area standard cost for a 30-minute private lesson is $20-25.00 depending on the studio. So. . . not only is the NCCS lesson program less expensive, it does not require the added fuel cost of driving to another location!

• The cost of each group lesson is $15.00 per 30-minute session. That means a total academic school year cost of $420 ($15.00 per lesson X 28 lessons = $420), resulting in a monthly billable rate of $52.50. per month, billed in advance on the first day of each month, September through April. Group lessons are not guaranteed, and will only be formed based on parent/student interest shown on like instrument or voice part.

• Families desiring that lessons continue through the summer, will pay a per lesson charge of either $20.50 per 30 minute session (private lessons) or $15.00 per 30 minute session (group lessons). Due to travel and other summer activities, summer lessons are traditionally more flexible, and may not meet weekly. Lesson providers will work with each lesson family individually to create a summer lesson schedule that works well for both parties.

HOW WILL THE BILLING BE HANDLED?

• Beginning on September 1^st, lessons will be billed in advance on the first business day of each month, SEPTEMBER THROUGH APRIL. The bills will be sent to the e-mail address indicated on the registration form.

• THE MONTH OF MAY, WILL BE USED FOR ANY MAKE UP LESSONS THAT WERE NOT HELD EARLIER IN THE SCHOOL YEAR, HOWEVER, FAMILIES WILL NOT RECEIVE A BILL FOR THAT MONTH. THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATION FOR THE LESSON PROGRAM WILL BE MET ONCE THE APRIL BILL IS PAID.

• IMPORTANT NOTE:   ANY LESSONS TAKEN IN MAY, THAT ARE NOT MAKE-UP LESSONS FROM EXCUSED ABSENCES, WILL BE BILLED AT THE INDIVIDUAL LESSON RATE OF $20.50 PER 30-MINUTE SESSION.  BILLS FOR THESE LESSONS WILL BE SENT TO PARENTS VIA E-MAIL, THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE.

WHAT ABOUT MAKE UP LESSONS?

• NO MAKE UP LESSONS WILL BE SCHEDULED WHEN: 1) A student is absent from school and/or unable to attend a lesson due to illness, a scheduled appointment, or any other reason initiated by the family, including athletic practices or arts rehearsals 2) A student arrives at school unprepared for the lesson (does not have books/instrument/other materials) 3) A student arrives more than 5 minutes late to a lesson.  If tardiness occurs, the teacher may choose to hold an abbreviated lesson within the remaining time, or suspend the lesson due to tardiness.  This decision is at the teacher’s discretion and will be the final decision. NOTIFYING THE TEACHER IN ADVANCE OF ANY ABSENCE IS A PROFESSIONAL COURTESY.

• MAKE UP LESSONS WILL BE SCHEDULED WHEN: 1) The teacher is absent due to illness or other conflict. 2) There is a death in the student's family. 3) An official school related event such as a field trip, special assembly, retreat, academic or arts competition or performance (not rehearsals), or team sports game or tournament (not practices) prevents lesson attendance. PLEASE DO NOT ASSUME THAT THE LESSON INSTRUCTOR WILL KNOW OF ALL SCHOOL RELATED EVENTS THAT MAY PREVENT YOUR STUDENT(S) FROM ATTENDING THE LESSON.   NOTIFYING THE LESSON INSTRUCTOR 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF AN EXCUSED ABSENCE WILL INSURE THAT A MAKE-UP LESSON WILL BE OFFERRED.