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SPCAA Policies

At St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy, we want every student and family to have a safe, welcoming, and positive experience. Please review the following policies before your student begins lessons, classes, rehearsals, or other programming at SPCAA.

By enrolling a student in SPCAA programming, parents/guardians acknowledge that they have reviewed and agree to these policies.

Questions About Our Policies?

We know that individual circumstances can vary. If you have a question about how one of these policies applies to your student or family, please contact the Arts Academy before your student’s first class or lesson.

Payment / Refunds/ Withdraw Fees Policy

Payments:

Tuition fees are posted to your Family/Student/Parent Portal when you enroll in a class, lesson, or choir. Enrollment is for the full academic year (36 weeks), but fees are posted every 9 weeks.

Payments can be made through the portal anytime during the 9-week billing cycle. During the 2026-27 academic year, outstanding balances will be automatically processed on the last day of each billing cycle, on the dates below:

  • November 11, 2026
  • February 1, 2027
  • April 19, 2027
  • June 21, 2027

Refunds are made on the following basis:

  • Before the first scheduled lesson/class, 100 percent of tuition.
  • Before the third scheduled lesson/class, 50 percent of tuition.
  • After the third scheduled lesson/class, no tuition credit.

Withdrawals:

Notice of withdrawal from instruction and all requests for refunds must be made in writing to the Arts Academy via email to [email protected]. Verbal notice or requests from students, parents, or faculty cannot be accepted. Any purchased materials fees are not refundable.

Returned Check Fees:

A $40 fee will be passed through to families/students for returned checks.

The Arts Academy reserves the right to suspend or terminate instruction when financial obligations are not met.

Student Safety and Parent/Guardian Responsibilities Policy

Arts Academy faculty and staff are not responsible for and do not supervise students before and/or after lessons and group classes. Only during his/her instruction time is a student supervised by faculty and staff. Each student’s parent or guardian is required to be in the building during private instruction. For group instrumental classes, dance classes and choirs, it is important that you are prompt in both delivering and picking up your student. Please come into the buildings to drop off and pick up your student, and/or wait to make sure your student is inside the building/s and the door has been closed, and/or make contact with your student’s faculty.

Building facility doors remained locked at all times. The SPCAA (Adams) Building and Parish Hall doors have keypads for student/family access. Enrolled families will receive an email before the start of each new academic session informing them of the keypad code for the year/session. This code will be active only during school session times and will not work during breaks, and codes are reset at the start of each year/session. The Church Door will be locked and staffed by Wendra Trowbridge during choir rehearsals and voice lessons.

SPCAA Recital / Concert Etiquette and Attire Policy

Student Recitals and Concerts are valuable experiences for all musicians and dancers. A variety of feelings can arise in performers as they anticipate the performance. Below are general guidelines for both performers and audience members to ensure recitals are enjoyable for everyone. 

Performers 

  • Arrive at the requested time to find your seat and receive instructions for the performance. 
  • During the recital, you must be courteous to all performers. Please be quiet and listen. 
  • Performers must bow at the end of the performance. Instructors and students will practice bowing before the recital. 

Audience 

  • Remember the purpose of your attendance — to listen quietly, actively, and appreciatively to the music being offered by the performers – ultimately this supports the arts!
  • Recitals are a special occasion, so it is customary to dress nicely. 
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to find a comfortable place to sit. 
  • Please stay until the performance or event is completely over.  
  • Turn off all cell phones and other electrical devices.
  • Please applaud enthusiastically but politely when performers have finished their selection. 
  • Enjoy! Your presence is the greatest affirmation!


General Guideline for Recital/Concert Attire for Performers

Recitals and concerts are formal occasions that reflect the performers’ dedication and professionalism. Appropriate attire enhances the overall presentation and shows respect for the event’s importance and the audience’s attention. Please note that these dress code guidelines are not meant to cause stress or inconvenience.  If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your faculty member or the Heads of Programs.

  • Formality: dress neatly and appropriately to match the importance of the event. No sneakers, Crocs, flip flops, ripped jeans, sweats, cargos, ripped clothing, athletic clothing, or clothing with largely printed wording.
  • Comfort – Ensure the outfit allows free movement, especially in seated performances or special techniques. Avoid accessories such as large bracelets or watches that may interfere with movement or handling an instrument.
  • Modesty – avoid overly casual or revealing clothing


Specific Attire Recommendations per Program

  • Community Choirs – All choirs are provided with robes for monthly performances during church services. For separate concerts, Ms. Wendra Trowbridge will provide specific guidelines for each different choir’s attire.
  • The Ballet School – SPCAA, in collaboration with Ms. Alaina Olivieri, provides the required costumes for performances.  You will be asked to obtain the appropriate shoes, tights, a leotard, and/or leggings. Please see Ms. Alaina if you have questions about dance attire or performance costumes.
  • Piano, Violin, Cello, Guitar – Performers should wear appropriate recital or concert attire when performing with these instruments.  This might include dress pants or a skirt or dress, a button-up shirt, or a collared shirt. Avoid sleeves that interfere with movement. Low-heeled or flat shoes for stability for seated or standing performance.

Using SPCAA Facilities Policy

Parents, guardians, and siblings are welcome to wait in the various community areas during a student’s lesson or class. We ask everyone to be respectful of other lessons or events in the building. Please keep noise and distractions to a minimum. Siblings are welcome to play quietly with any of the books, puzzles, toys etc. that SPCAA has provided, or with activities and/or schoolwork that families bring with them; however, we ask parents and guardians to neaten the play area before leaving. Faculty are not responsible for putting away toys and cleaning up. SPCAA students are welcome to use open studio space to practice while waiting for their lesson or a sibling.  If you are unsure if a studio is open for use, please just ask in the Business Office or the closest faculty member.

Photo and Recording Policy

By agreeing to this Photo and Recording Policy, you understand that St. Peter’s Community Arts Academy reserves the right and may give permission to photographers or outside media to photograph, video and/or livestream events and recitals at all our facilities and properties that we are contracted to use. Please be aware that any recordings or photos would be used for promotional purposes and may be used in future publications and media communications.

Missed Lessons / Classes Policy

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