Policies

Attendance
Students are expected to regularly attend both private lessons and group classes.  Both private lessons and group classes are essential to the success of the student.  Attendance at recitals and concerts is also expected and is an integral part of the music education of the child.  

Missed Lessons
If the teacher is ill or needs to cancel a lesson, it will either be taught by a qualified substitute teacher or a make up opportunity will be offered.  Below is the policy for family cancellations:

  • If a family cancels a lesson 24+ hours in advance, they will be eligible to reschedule should another cancellation arise.

  • Families must report their absence on the Parent/Student Portal and by contacting the teacher

  • Families needing a make up can then log into the Parent Portal to view and sign up for open lesson slots created by another student's absence

  • Make up lessons are a courtesy and are not guaranteed

  • Lessons not made up by the end of the semester will not be transferred to future semesters or refunded

  • Lessons canceled less than 24 hours in advance will not be made up (exceptions may be made for illness on a case by case basis by the director)

Teacher Make Up Days
A limited number of teacher make up days are built into the calendar. These days are to be used for make ups for teacher cancelations only. Family cancelations can be made up using the above process.

Inclement Weather
The Ridgefield Suzuki School does not follow the Ridgefield Public Schools for weather cancellations since weather conditions are often different in the afternoon and evening hours.  In the event of cancellation an email will be sent out to all enrolled families and will be moved online when possible.

Parent Involvement
A core component of the Suzuki Method is parent involvement.  A parent/guardian must accompany the student at all lessons and group classes.  Children are not to be left unattended at the Suzuki School for any reason.  The adult who accompanies the child to lessons should also be the "practice parent."  Students make the most progress when their practice/lesson partner is constant and unchanging, therefore we recommend that families make every effort to have the same adult attend lessons and group classes with the child each week.  In the rare circumstance where a babysitter or other adult must accompany the child, please ask them to record the lesson.

Volunteer Obligation
We ask that all parents volunteer at least one hour of their time each school year.  The school needs parent help to run many events and programs.  Volunteer opportunities include:

  • Supervising students at recitals and concerts

  • Setting/cleaning up receptions for recitals and concerts

  • Planning and executing Spooky Suzuki Fall Festival events

  • Organizing performers for Holiday Stroll

  • Float building and supervising musicians at Memorial Day Parade

  • Running "Parent's Corner" - parent facebook page, monthly "practice tips", parent get-togethers, etc...

Volunteer sign-ups will be sent via email towards the beginning of the fall semester.

Scheduling Preference
Musical study requires consistency, therefore it is highly recommended that students maintain their weekly lesson and group class throughout the fall, spring, and summer semesters.  Day and time preference will be given to those families maintaining consistent study throughout all three semesters.

Tuition
All tuition and fees must be paid by either electronic debit or credit card payment through the online portal.  Parents can choose from two payment plans - Monthly or Semester.  The monthly payment plan divides the annual tuition into 10 payments, made on the first of the month September through June.  The semester payment plan breaks the annual tuition into two payments, made on September 1st and January 1st.  

Mid-Semester Registration
Tuition will be pro-rated for new students registering after the start of the semester.

Withdrawal
When registering a student, parents are reserving a time slot for their child's lesson for the entire academic year, September-June.  Tuition can be refunded up to 10 days before the start of a semester.  After this time, no tuition refunds will be given.  Deposits are non-refundable.

Health and Safety
Ridgefield Suzuki School has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 but cannot guarantee that it's participants will not become infected with COVID-19.  On behalf of my child(ren), I hereby release, covenant not to sue, discharge, and hold harmless Ridgefield Suzuki School, of and from the Claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto.