Policies

• Washington Conservatory of Music expects all students and parents to behave in a way that is conducive to a nurturing musical environment where teaching and learning can flourish.
• In the unlikely event that an issue arises, administrative staff or the director are happy to speak with you; however, we suggest that you first bring the issue to the attention of the teacher in an appropriate, courteous, and respectful manner. Inappropriate, disrespectful, bullying, and/or abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
• WCM reserves the right to dismiss any student due to frequent absences, frequent tardiness, extreme lack of interest or progress, inappropriate behavior by the student or parents, special recommendation by the teacher, or failure to abide by school policies, including delinquency in payment of tuition or fees.
• WCM is a drug-free, alcohol-free, and smoke-free environment.

Individual Lessons

• One missed lesson per semester may be made up only if students report the absence to the WCM office 24 hours before the scheduled lesson. This privilege applies only to students who have enrolled during the first seven weeks of the semester.
• All teacher absences due to professional obligations, teacher illness, or emergencies will be made up by arrangement between teacher and student.
• If WCM closes due to inclement weather, all missed lessons and classes will be rescheduled.
• WCM’s academic calendar includes scheduled makeup days for each teaching day of the week. Makeup lessons may also be given on a day other than the student’s regular lesson day, if the teacher is available.
• Once agreed upon, makeup lesson times cannot be rescheduled. A missed makeup lesson cannot be made up.
• With the agreement of the student and teacher, makeup lessons may be conducted remotely via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, etc.
• Summer lessons missed because of student absences will not be made up.

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Group Classes, Ensembles & Seminars

• If a student misses a session of a group class, ensemble, or seminar, the student will not receive a makeup for the missed session.
• If a teacher misses a session of a group class, ensemble, or seminar, or if a session is cancelled to inclement weather, a makeup session will be scheduled.
• Please see Payment below for cancellation, withdrawal, and refund policies.

Regular weekly attendance enables students to fully benefit from lessons with WCM faculty members, and is required. Students who arrive late for instruction cannot be guaranteed their full lesson time. Students should notify their teacher and the WCM office of any absences in advance. Notification does not exempt students from payment as contracted.

INDIVIDUAL LESSONS

Tuition payment is due before students may be scheduled for lessons. Full year payment, single semester tuition in one payment, or single semester tuition in two payments (Split Semester Payment Plan) are the only payment options accepted.  Here is a full list of tuition and fees.

Fall Semester Registration and Payment

Each new student should complete the Student Inquiry Form and each returning student should complete the Returning Student Registration Form. Students must submit the $35 registration fee and tuition payment (by check or credit card) before being scheduled with individual teachers or ensembles. In the rare event that a lesson time cannot be scheduled, tuition is refunded.

Split Semester Payment Plan (Single Semester Tuition in Two Payments)

Under this plan, students may pay half of single semester tuition before lessons begin. The balance must be paid by November 1 for the fall semester, or April 1 for the spring semester. There is a fee of $25 per semester per student, or $40 per semester per family, for split payments. This fee, together with the registration fee, must be paid with the first payment. The plan requires payment by credit card, and your card will be charged automatically for the second payment. If a student paying according to this plan withdraws after the first three weeks of the semester, the entire semester payment remains due in full. This plan does not apply to classes/ensembles. A history of untimely payments disqualifies students from the plan.

Withdrawal, Refunds

Students who enroll in individual lessons during the academic year are entitled to a three-week assessment period, during which they can request a prorated tuition refund, minus the non-refundable registration fee. Students are eligible for a prorated refund only if they notify their teacher and the WCM office no later than one day after their third scheduled lesson. Refunds will not be issued if requested more than one day after the third lesson.  New students enrolling in summer lessons will not receive a refund if they withdraw.

Late Payments

Students who repeatedly make late payments may be denied placement with a teacher for the following semester or academic year. There is a $50 delinquent account service charge for late payments of second semester tuition or late payments under the Split Semester Payment Plan.

Spring Semester Payment

Students are responsible for paying spring semester tuition unless they notify the WCM office (in addition to their teacher) of their decision to withdraw prior to January 8. Spring semester payment must be received by January 15. Failure to pay by the due date can result in students losing their place in their teacher’s schedule and the assessment of a $50 delinquent account service charge.

Additional Lessons Between Semesters

Current students who do not require makeup lessons for the fall semester may register for additional lessons between the fall and spring semesters.  These days are marked on the lesson calendar as “optional lesson days”.  These lessons must be prepaid.

Summer Lessons

During the summer, new students must enroll in a minimum of four individual lessons. All lessons must be prepaid. Scheduling lessons for consecutive weeks is recommended but not required. For current students, summer session begins when the semester is over; for new students, summer session begins June 1, as space is available. Some teachers are not available throughout the summer. Summer lessons missed because of student absence are not made up. Students enrolling in summer lessons will not receive a refund if they withdraw.

Scholarships

Please see Scholarships below for more information.

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GROUP CLASSES, ENSEMBLES & SEMINARS

Group classes, ensembles, and seminars at Glen Echo Park are subject to the payment policies of Glen Echo Park. Payment must be paid in full before students may attend group classes, ensembles, or seminars.

Cancelation, Withdrawal, Refunds

If any group class, ensemble, or seminar has insufficient enrollment, WCM reserves the right to cancel it and will refund all tuition and fees. WCM will not issue refunds to students who miss a session or a rescheduled session of a group class, ensemble, or seminar.