Weather Condition Cancellation

SPCAA does not necessarily follow public school cancellations. When weather conditions are questionable and SPCAA decides to close, we will notify local news and radio channels and post an announcement on our website and social media. Individual faculty may cancel their lesson, class or choir, and cancellation notification will be made as follows:

• Instructors will notify their students.
• It is at the discretion of the faculty to cancel lessons, classes, or choir due to weather, especially if they cannot travel to SPCAA. If faculty cancels any lesson, class, or choir due to weather, sickness, or other, our policy is that that class, lesson, or choir rehearsal will be made up at another time.

Child Safety and Parental Responsibility

Faculty and staff are not responsible for supervising children before and/or after lessons or group classes. Children are only under supervision during their instruction time. A parent or guardian is required to be in the building during private instruction. For group classes and choirs, it is important that you are prompt in both delivering and picking up your children.

Using SPCAA Facilities

Parents, guardians, and siblings can wait in the open seating areas of both the Parish Hall Building and the SPCAA (Adams) Building during a child’s lesson or class. We ask everyone to be respectful of the fact that other lessons or events are likely occurring in the building at the same time. Please keep noise and distractions to a minimum.

Siblings up to the age of five are welcome to play quietly and with the books and toys provided; however, we ask that parents and guardians ensure the waiting area is straightened up before leaving. Faculty are not responsible for putting away toys and cleaning the waiting areas.

New Student Registration

New students should contact the Head of the Program in their desired study area to establish a lesson time or placement in the appropriate class or choir level or with the appropriate faculty member. After placement with an instructor has been confirmed, please complete the SPCAA Registration/ Account Set-Up, and then log into the Family/ Student Portal to enroll in a class.  If you are enrolling in the middle of a billing cylce, please contact the Main Office for adjustment in fees, (315) 789-0106.

Missed Lessons

As a courtesy, please notify your instructor in advance of any absence.   Make-up lessons due to student absence are at the instructor’s discretion and will be arranged at a mutually satisfactory time. SPCAA is not obligated to schedule make-up lessons or classes due to student non-attendance, illness, or vacation, and there is no refund for student-missed lessons. In the event of a cancellation due to inclement weather or by the instructor, the instructor is responsible for arranging a make-up lesson.

Withdrawal/Refunds

Notice of withdrawal from instruction and all requests for refunds must be made to SPCAA in writing. Verbal notices or requests from students, parents, or faculty cannot be accepted.

Refunds are made on the following basis:

• Before the first scheduled lesson/class – 100% of tuition charges.
• Before the third scheduled lesson/class – 50% of tuition charges.
• No tuition credit will be given after the third scheduled lesson/class.

Insufficient Class Enrollment/Cancellation

If any class has insufficient enrollment, SPCAA reserves the right to cancel the class. If a class is cancelled, credits will be posted to student accounts within 15 business days .

Photo and Recording Policy

SPCAA reserves the right, and may give permission to photographers or outside media, to photograph classes, programs, and participants at all our facilities and properties. Please be aware that these photos are for promotional purposes only and may be used in future publications and media communications. By participating in SPCAA programs, you consent to the taking and publication of your photograph for these purposes.

Non-Discrimination Policy

SPCAA complies with all laws prohibiting discrimination in the conduct of its operations and programs. SPCAA admits students of any religion, race, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship programs or other school administered programs.

Arts Academy Recital Etiquette

Student Recitals are valuable experiences for young musicians. Unfortunately, they can also be a source of some stress and anxiety. Below you will find general guidelines for both performers and audience members that ensure recitals are enjoyable for everyone. 

Performers

• Performers should wear appropriate attire. 
• The instructor and student will practice bowing before the recital.
• Arrive at the requested time to receive instructions for the performance.
• During the recital, you must be courteous to all performers. 

Audience

• Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to find a comfortable place to sit.
• Please stay until the performance or event is entirely over. 
• Turn off all cell phones and other electrical devices.
• When the recital begins, please listen quietly. 
• Respect the performers. 
• The soloist will bow; please applaud politely.
• Enjoy! Your presence is the most significant affirmation!