General Policies

Withdrawal / Refund

Private Lessons: Tuition refunds for full semester private lesson enrollment will be given in accordance with the following schedule. Formal notification of withdrawal must be given to the office. Registration fees are non-refundable. Partial refunds will be considered in cases of prolonged illness or injury.

Withdrawal ten days prior to the start of the semester: Full refund
Withdrawal prior to the fourth scheduled lesson: 2/3 tuition refund
Withdrawal on or after fourth scheduled lesson: No tuition refund

Private lesson time slots are generally scheduled for a full semester at a time. Mid-semester changes to a lesson time slot due to sports, theater, or other activities may occasionally be possible pending instructor availability, but are not guaranteed.

Group Classes: Tuition refunds will be given up to 10 days before the start of the class. Please note that if a class is under-enrolled, WCMS reserves the right to cancel the class one week prior to start date, and tuition will be refunded. If a class is cancelled due to under-enrollment, and signing up for a different class or section is not possible, the option to take private or semi-private lessons at the regular rate will be made available.

Ensembles, Workshops, and Semi-Private Lessons: No tuition refunds are given for ensembles, workshops, or semi-private lessons, unless the offering is cancelled. Full refunds will be given in cases of insufficient enrollment that results in cancellation of an ensemble or workshop.

Student Absence / Make-Up

Private Lessons: One excused absence from private lessons will be made up (per semester) if a student has a commitment that conflicts with a scheduled lesson.

To report an absence for any reason, please email us or call the office at 781-721-2950 (leave a message anytime; the message will be date and time stamped).
To be considered an excused absence, the absence must be reported to the WCMS office at least 24 hours in advance.
Once an excused absence has been used, no other make-up lessons will be given for missed private lessons.
If a student is enrolled in more than one private lesson, they are entitled to one excused absence for each enrollment.
Make-up lessons may be scheduled during or between semesters.
Make-up lessons missed by a student for any reason will not be rescheduled or refunded.

Classes & Ensembles: There are no make-ups for classes or ensembles missed by the student. All lessons, classes and workshops missed because of teacher absence or school closing will be made up.

Student Illness

Please refer to our Student Illness Guidelines and stay home or keep your child at home if any of the listed symptoms are present. If a student is sick enough to stay home from their regular school or work, they should not come to WCMS for their lesson. A remote lesson may be an option; contact your teacher to find out if a remote lesson can be arranged.

download WCMS Student Illness Guidelines (PDF)

Summer Session

Summer tuition is due upon enrollment. There are no refunds during the summer session, or make-ups for lessons or programs missed by the student.

School Closing

Please note that WCMS does not follow the weather cancellation decisions of the Winchester Public Schools. Please call the office or check our website to verify the status of classes during times of inclement weather or other emergencies.

On inclement weather days when the building is closed, please note that a faculty member can opt to offer remote private lessons, and students will have the option of taking the remote lesson or making it up later.

If WCMS is open, but weather conditions prevent you from coming in person, we offer the option of a remote lesson. Please let your teacher know as early as possible so that a remote lesson can be arranged.

Media Release

By enrolling in lessons, classes, or programs at WCMS, enrolled students/parents give permission for WCMS to photograph or audio/videotape footage of classes, lessons, and other activities without advance notice, and to publish royalty-free in its print, audio and electronic communications, including the school’s website. WCMS will not publish the name of students without parental consent.

Privacy Policy

WCMS is committed to ensuring that your privacy is protected. WCMS does not release or sell our customer information to third parties.

Non-Discrimination Policy

Winchester Community Music School welcomes students of all backgrounds, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.

Force Majeure Policy

Neither the school nor student shall be in default of its obligations if and so long as it is prevented from performing such obligations by acts of God, such as severe acts of nature or weather events including floods, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and explosions; war, acts of terrorism, and epidemics; or acts of governmental authorities such as expropriation, condemnation, and changes in laws and regulations.

enrollment resources