Darlington Art Center

Policies

Registration Fee     Tuition     Late Fees     Discounts      Withdrawals      Absences      Parental Responsibility      Photography

Registration
Registration is required for all group classes, camps, workshops and private lessons. By registering at Darlington, you are agreeing to our policies and giving us permission to use any photos of you or your children for publicity.
The Annual Family Registration Fee for 2011-2012 is $65, and may be prorated throughout the year. There is no registration fee for workshops. The registration fee is non-refundable. $1 of the registration fee is applied to our endowment scholarship fund, which allows us to provide scholarships to worthy students. We accept personal checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and money orders only. No cash please.  There will be a $30 Returned Check Fee.

Class & Workshop Tuition
Enrollment is only guaranteed with full payment. Ages listed under all classes and workshops are guidelines, not restrictions. For all classes, workshops and camps, full payment is required prior to the first meeting (34-week dance classes are the only exception, which may be paid in two installments). Late registration for classes will be accepted with the approval of the instructor and tuition will be prorated with full payment due prior to the first class attended. Note: Darlington’s goal is to give individual attention to each student; class sizes are limited. Early registration and tuition payment is strongly recommended.

Private Music Lesson Tuition
Tuition for private lessons is due prior to the first lesson.
September – June: Private music lessons are based on a 34-week academic year beginning in September and running through May. Early registration is strongly recommended. Lesson times cannot be reserved without payment. New students may register at any time depending upon teacher availability. Lesson tuition will be pro-rated. Darlington offers payment plans available through the office.
June – August: In the summer, students must register for a minimum of 4 private music lessons depending upon the instructor’s availability and the student’s schedule. Lessons do not have to be in consecutive weeks. The registrar must be notified of all vacations at the time of registration – there are no make-up lessons during the summer.
New music students may register at any time during the year depending on teacher availability. Early registration is strongly recommended. Lesson times can not be reserved without payment.

A trial lesson (at the cost of a single lesson) may be requested before committing to the entire academic year. Payment and registration is required prior to the trial lesson. Canceled trial lessons will not be refunded.

Summer Camp Tuition
No space in camp will be held without registration and tuition payment. At the time of registration, the full family registration fee and camp tuition is due.
Before Camp Care and After Camp Care must be arranged and paid for at least one week prior to the start of care.  All Extended Day arrangements must be made over the phone or in person.

Late Fees
Because Darlington needs to meet its financial obligations, including paying instructors’ salaries, we must ask that all students pay tuition and fees on time. A late fee of $15 will be charged for payments made more than 5 days past the due date. Darlington reserves the right to suspend instruction for students who do not meet their financial obligations. Please contact the office to arrange special fee schedules if needed.

Discounts
Private Music Lessons: For families enrolled in three or more concurrently running private music lessons at Darlington, Darlington offers 5% off the tuition of the shortest lesson(s).
Dance Classes: For individual students enrolled in three or more concurrently running dance classes at Darlington, Darlington offers 25% off the tuition of the lowest priced class(es). Private dance lessons that are eligible for inclusion in the spring dance recital are included.

Cancellations, Withdrawals, and Refunds
Darlington may cancel a class, workshop or camp due to insufficient enrollment. A credit will be offered for another class within the same academic year or a full refund (including registration fees) will be issued.

• Class withdrawals made at least one week prior to the first class will be refunded 100%.
• Class withdrawals made within a week of the first class will be refunded 75%.
• Class withdrawals made the day of or after the first class will NOT be refunded or credited.
• Workshop withdrawals made at least two weeks prior to the start of the workshop will be refunded 100%.
• Workshop withdrawals made at least one week prior to the start of the workshop will be refunded 75%.
• Workshop withdrawals made within a week of the start of the workshop will NOT be refunded or credited.
• Private Lesson withdrawals require a two week written notice (day of notice is not included). The remainder of tuition will be credited or refunded.
• Camp withdrawals made at least two weeks prior to the first day of camp will be refunded 100%.
• Camp withdrawals made after the two week deadline will NOT be refunded or credited.

Credits are only good for 1 year.

Absence Policy
For group classes, camps or workshops, only those meetings canceled by the Center or instructor will be made up or reimbursed. Student absences cannot be reimbursed.

For private music lessons during the Academic Year - the year is comprised of 34 lessons. With the exception of scheduled holidays (refer to Darlington’s calendar for these dates), weekly lessons are continuous throughout the academic year. Students are allowed two absences throughout the academic year providing the Center is notified prior to the lesson.
For private music lessons during the Summer – there are no excused absences for students. Lessons are scheduled upon registration to suit your vacation schedule.
Teachers should not be expected to rearrange lesson time conflicts. If an instructor needs to cancel a lesson, the lesson will be made up, a substitute instructor will be available, or a credit will be issued.
Private lessons may be suspended for extended absences of 3 or more consecutive weeks due to illness, injury or other emergency circumstances. The office must be contacted immediately so that the student will not be charged for these absences.

Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather, a message will be left on the main office phone number (610-358-3632) and website home page (www.darlingtonarts.org). Classes and lessons missed due to the Center’s closure will be made up or a credit/refund will be issued.

Parental Responsibility
Teachers and staff are NOT responsible for children before or after class time. Please be prompt in both delivering and picking up your children. Please refer to Darlington’s calendar for dates on which the Center is closed.

Photography
Darlington Arts Center reserves the right and permission to publish any photographs/images taken at the Center or at related off-site functions. By enrolling at Darlington Arts Center, you give permission to use any photos/images and release all claims with respect to copyright ownership and publications, including any claim for compensation related to use of the materials. Photos/images may be used in print, electronic or video format, including but not limited to newsletters, brochures, flyers, press releases, advertising, the website and other promotional materials.