Attendance
Private Lessons
Student Absences
Students are expected to attend regularly scheduled lessons. One absence per semester will be given a makeup lesson provided a 24-hour notice is given to the teacher and/or AFTA by email or phone call. Students are charged ahead of time for all the lessons for which they register. Canceling a lesson with the expectation of payment credit is not an option.
In addition to the one make-up lesson per semester allotment, absences for extreme emergencies or death in the family can be made up according to the discretion of the instructor. If a student commits to a rescheduled lesson and is absent for any reason, the lesson will be forfeited and not rescheduled by the instructor.
If a lesson is canceled or forfeited by a student for any reason, the instructor may schedule another lesson in the absentee time slot. The instructor is under no obligation to notify the parent or student who forfeits the lesson of the substitution. If the original student’s schedule changes and they are able to attend the canceled lesson, it is subject to the instructor’s schedule.
It is important that students be on time for lessons. Students who are 10 minutes (or more) late for their lesson will be considered to have forfeited their lesson. This will be considered an unexcused absence and the instructor is under no obligation to make it up. If running late close to lesson time, please call the Academy for the Arts while in transit. Communication is of the utmost importance.
Teacher Absences
If the teacher is to be absent without a substitute, the student will be notified ahead of time and the lesson will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time at no additional cost to the student. Students are charged for all the lessons for which they register, including those missed by teachers. Lessons not completed by the end of the semester due to teacher absence will be credited to the student.
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Inclement Weather
If the Academy closes due to weather, lessons will be rescheduled at no additional cost to the student. See our Inclement Weather page for more information on these policies.
Lesson Termination & Grievance
If a student wishes to discontinue lessons, a 30-day written notice will be required. The student will be financially responsible for the lessons which occur during those 30 days, whether or not the student chooses to attend the lessons. A refund will be given for any remaining balance after the 30 days. The program fee is non-refundable.
AFTA reserves the right to suspend instruction when students do not meet their financial obligations. Students are still liable for the full cost of instruction. Tuition credit or makeup lessons are not given as a result of lessons missed due to suspension.
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Please feel free to discuss with your instructor any difficulties that you or your student might be experiencing with lessons. If you feel the situation is not being properly addressed, please contact us immediately. AFTA is dedicated to ensuring that your student has a quality and rewarding experience.
Program Cancellation
AFTA reserves the right to cancel classes or ensembles with insufficient enrollment. Classes or ensembles that do not meet minimum enrollment 24 hours before the first lessons may be canceled. If a class is canceled, students will be notified and given the opportunity to transfer to another class. If students do not enroll in another class, a full refund will be issued.
AFTA Closures for Lessons
The Academy for the Arts is closed for lessons on the following days:
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (3rd Monday in January)
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Memorial Day (Last Monday in May)
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Independence Day Week
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Two Weeks between Summer 2 Session and Fall Semester
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Labor Day (1st Monday in September)
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Thanksgiving Holiday (4th Thursday in November and Friday after)
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Two Weeks between Fall and Spring Semesters
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