School Policies

As of August 27, 2020

COVID-19 Safety Guideline Students who chose to have in-person lessons at Areté Academy must follow all health safety requirements implemented by Areté, including face coverings and social distancing. Areté Academy reserves the right to suspend or terminate instruction for students who do not comply with its safety guideline.

Late Payment Areté Academy reserves the right to suspend or terminate instruction for students who do not comply with its payment policies.

Withdrawals All requests for withdrawal and tuition refund must be submitted, in writing, to the Director. Verbal requests of intention to withdraw do not fulfill this requirement. Informing the teacher of intent to withdraw also is not considered notice of withdrawal.  The effective date of withdrawal is the date that the written notice is received, not the last date of lesson or class. Please allow two to three weeks for the processing of refunds. 

Withdrawal made before the first session will receive a full tuition refund minus a 5% credit card processing fee (if applicable)

A pro-rated tuition refund, minus a 5% credit card fee of applicable, will be given to students withdrawing from the first 4 private lessons. Otherwise student will receive school credits for the unused lessons.

Cancellations Please read our Cancellation and Makeup Policies for further information.

Tardiness/No-Show Students are expected to attend and be punctual to their lessons, both in-person and online. Students who are late for 10 minutes or longer cannot be guaranteed their lesson time. Students who are no-show will not receive a makeup lesson.

Photography and Recording Release By enrolling in lessons/classes at Areté, or by attending any Areté event, parents and students, and other adults accompanying the students, grant permission for photographs and recordings of him/herself – or of his or her child – to be used by Areté Academy for publicity purposes. These photographs will not be distributed, sold, or used beyond Areté’s promotional or in-school curriculum and professional development activities.

Injuries Parents, legal guardians of minor students and adult students waive the right to any legal action for any injury sustained on school property resulting from normal lesson activity or any other activity conducted by the students before, during or after lesson time.

Child Safety To ensure your child’s safety, please pick him/her up promptly at the door. Areté Music Academy does not assume responsibility of students’ security and safety when parents choose to leave them unattended at the school. Students under the age of 10 must be supervised by parents or guardians while they are waiting for classes and/or lessons to begin.

Substitute Instructors All of the instructors at Areté Academy are active professional musicians currently performing in the tri-state area as well as abroad. Although our teachers try their best to avoid possible conflicts, the school does not guarantee that teachers will not miss any lesson. A qualified substitute teacher will be provided if an instructor is ill or otherwise unable to attend a lesson/class. If a substitute teacher cannot be arranged, a makeup session will be scheduled during the last week of the semester or at a mutually convenient time.

Snow Days Areté Academy is closed for snow when the local public schools close or have early closings. Please call 201.205.1121 or check our website for the most up-to-date information regarding closings. The School will arrange make-up days for unscheduled closings.