Policies
All students/parents/guardians are required to sign and agree to the SPCM’s Policies prior to attending any lessons or classes at the SPCM. You will be prompted to sign the Policies when you register. A PDF of your signed copy of the Policies will be emailed to you, and will be available via the registration dashboard. The SPCM’s Policies are outlined here for your convenience. Please reach out (info@thespcm.org) with any questions.
SPCM Policy Disclosure Statement
The Saint Paul Conservatory of Music (“the SPCM”) and the student/guardian agree to abide by the following rules, regulations, and policies effective upon the student/guardian's first payment to the SPCM:
Privacy Policies
The SPCM agrees to keep all personal information supplied by the student/guardian confidential and protected.
The SPCM will contact the student/guardian regarding any changes to policies, rules, or regulations.
The student/guardian agrees to update the SPCM of any changes in contact information including but not limited to name, mailing address, email address, and phone number. The student/guardian agrees to receive communication from the SPCM at the address(es) provided, including the SPCM's monthly newsletter, winter weather or other closure notices, and other communications which are distributed using MailChimp.
The SPCM will not take or publish any photographs or videos of the student unless the student/guardian has completed and agreed to the Image Release Waiver.
The SPCM will only provide online lessons on approved platforms to students/guardians who have completed the Online Lesson Waiver.
Lesson Package Policies
Private lessons are available in semester packages. By default, the full package is 15 lessons per semester, which is based on the number of weeks in the semester with allowance for vacations/holidays.
The SPCM does not prorate lesson packages for vacations/holidays; it is the responsibility of the student and teacher to reschedule any lessons which may take place on vacations/holidays outside of the SPCM’s designated breaks (e.g. Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break).
Packages of fewer than 15 lessons per semester are available only with approval of the Executive Director. The SPCM offers prorated lesson packages to students who register after the semester start date, subject to availability.
Students who wish to take more than 15 lessons per semester may purchase “add-on” lessons, subject to availability; there is a maximum of 17 lesson weeks per semester.
Students who participate in partner lessons will split the cost of the lesson package equally between both partner students. Students are responsible for finding their own partners and both students must consent to partner lessons before they can register.
A calendar of the semester’s lesson and class dates, as well as special event dates, is available on the SPCM’s Student Calendar
Attendance Policies
Students/guardians are charged for all lessons for which they register, including those missed through student absences. As a courtesy, please notify the SPCM office (651-224-2205, info@thespcm.org) and your instructor in advance of any absence.
In the event that the SPCM or an instructor cancels a lesson, the student is entitled to a make-up lesson.
If a student/guardian cancels a lesson with prior notice of at least 24 hours, they may receive a maximum of one (1) makeup lesson per semester.
If a student/guardian "no shows" or cancels with prior notice of less than 24 hours, they forfeit that lesson. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the instructor.
Payment and Refund Policies
Students/guardians agree to submit payment electronically for all tuition/fees. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. The SPCM invoices through Square or the SPCM’s school management software, Pike13.
Students/guardians who sign up for a monthly payment plan (where available) agree to keep a valid card on file for payment. Payment will be processed automatically on the payment date.
The SPCM charges one (1) Registration Fee per family per school year. This fee covers administrative costs associated with creating/maintaining the family's information in the SPCM's systems, coordinating lesson scheduling, and processing registrations. The SPCM's Registration Fee is non-refundable. Students/guardians must pay their registration fee and have their account in good standing in order to register for lessons, classes, camps, or other events at the SPCM.
Registration Fee for single student or family with 1 student: $30
Registration Fee for family with 2+ students: $35
Lesson tuition may be paid in full at the time of registration, or by monthly recurring payments. Registration is not complete until the first payment has been made. By completing their first payment, the student/guardian agrees to adhere to the SPCM policies outlined in this statement.
Due dates for Fall Semester (4 installment payments): upon registration, Oct 15, Nov 15, Dec 15
Due dates for Spring Semester (4 installment payments): upon registration, Feb 15, Mar 15, Apr 15
Due dates for Summer Session (3 installment payments): upon registration, Jun 15, Jul 15
Class/camp tuition is due by the first date of the class/camp. Certain classes/camps require payment of a non-refundable deposit upon registration, as indicated in the class/camp listing.
Registration is not complete until the first payment has been made. By completing their first payment, the student/guardian agrees to adhere to the SPCM policies outlined in this statement.
The student/guardian agrees to pay each invoice by that invoice’s due date. Invoices which are not paid by the due date may result in a discontinuation of lessons until the outstanding balance has been paid. Invoices which are not paid within a 15 day grace period after the due date will result in a discontinuation of lessons and a registration hold on the account preventing future enrollment until the outstanding balance has been paid.
If an invoice remains unpaid past the end date of the semester, the SPCM reserves the right to pursue payment through any means necessary and may deny any future enrollment from that student.
Purchased lessons that are not completed during the semester will not be reimbursed. The student will have until the end of the following semester to complete any make-up lessons. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
Tuition payments for classes/camps are refundable up to one week (7 days) prior to the start of the class/camp. Please reach out to the Registration Department (registration@thespcm.org) if you must request a refund.
Dismissal Policies
Although rare, the SPCM reserves the right to dismiss a student should that student not satisfy the standards of the SPCM, whether regarding payment of tuition/fees, attendance, lack of progress, or attitude.
Should a student/guardian wish to discontinue lessons for any reason, they must notify the SPCM. Semester packages are non-refundable, as outlined above. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.
Winter Weather Policies
The decision to close the SPCM for inclement weather is not one we take lightly, and we consider several factors including current weather conditions, forecasted weather conditions, and air temperature.
If Saint Paul Public Schools close, the SPCM will close.
The SPCM acknowledges that faculty, students, and guardians commute to the SPCM’s locations. Faculty, students, and guardians should always exercise discretion if the conditions of their commute warrant staying home.
Decisions on school closings and delays will be made as soon as possible. The decision will be communicated in the following ways:
Local Twin Cities television/radio broadcasts and/or station websites: WCCO 4, KSTP 5, Fox 9, and KARE 11.
Please ensure that your contact information is up to date with the SPCM in order to receive winter weather updates from the SPCM. See Privacy Policies above.
Health & Safety Policies
We at the SPCM are committed to doing everything we can to ensure the health and well-being of our entire community.
We strongly encourage all members of our community to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19.
Masking at the SPCM will be optional in common areas and at concerts and recitals. Masking in the studio or classroom of each instructor is at the discretion of that instructor. If the city of Saint Paul or the state of Minnesota initiate a mask mandate, the SPCM will follow these guidelines.
Faculty and students who prefer to do so may hold lessons virtually.
Anyone who is sick should stay home. Lessons may be moved online, rescheduled, or canceled depending on the circumstances and teacher availability.
In the case of COVID-19 infection, please contact Executive Director Mary Larew (651-224-2205, mary@thespcm.org) for next steps including timing of resuming lessons. The SPCM will follow CDC guidelines as well as guidance offered by local public health officials.
COVID-19 Acknowledgement and Release (required)
I acknowledge that I have freely chosen to (have my child) attend the Saint Paul Conservatory of Music (“the SPCM”). I understand that the SPCM has taken all reasonable precautions to protect guardians, students, administrators, staff, and employees from exposure to COVID-19. Those measures may include, but are not limited to, screening of attendees and staff, enforcement of proper requirements for social distancing, and sanitization. I agree that by attending the SPCM, I will fully comply with all such measures or face ejection from the SPCM. I further acknowledge that my attendance may expose me to the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in spite of the above measures and I assume any such risk that may arise therefrom. I accept full responsibility for all medical expenses for any injuries or exposure I might receive by reason of my/my child’s attendance. By signing this Acknowledgement and Release, I also hereby release the SPCM, its Board, its Board members, administrators, directors, officers, teachers, employees, agents, assigns, and volunteers (“released parties”) from and against any and all claims, demands, actions, complaints, suits, or other forms of liability that any of them may sustain arising out of (a) my attendance at the SPCM, (b) a failure to comply with the measures imposed by the SPCM, (c) a failure to comply with local, state, and federal laws, policies, and procedures; or (d) arising out of any damage or injury caused by myself. I also agree to indemnify and hold harmless the released parties from the released claims, including any and all related costs, attorney fees, liabilities, settlements, and/or judgments. I confirm that I have carefully read this Acknowledgement and Release, fully understand the above conditions, and agree to its terms knowingly and voluntarily. I also confirm that I am a student 18 years or older/I also confirm that I am the parent or legal guardian of the child.
Image Release Waiver (optional)
The SPCM may photograph or videotape recitals and other events for use in marketing and other material archives. By selecting “Yes”, you release the rights of your/your student’s image and deny any rights to compensation for use of said images. Select “No” to decline consent of the release of your/your student’s image.
Online Lesson Waiver (optional)
The SPCM allows the option of online lessons during events in which in-person lessons cannot be conducted, such as inclement weather, government social isolation mandates, or at the discretion of the SPCM or instructor. The SPCM does not dictate which video-chat platforms instructors must use but has provided each instructor with guidelines for online lesson safety and security. The SPCM and its faculty cannot be held responsible for any external online threats or incidents which may occur during online lessons such as, but not limited to, “Zoom bombing,” phishing, online scams, or privacy breaches. If you choose to decline online lessons, any lessons which cannot be provided in-person will not be refunded, but will be reserved for makeup lessons once in-person lessons resume. If you choose to accept online lessons, all in-person lesson policies still apply. By selecting “Yes” below, you agree to receiving online lessons when deemed necessary by the SPCM or the instructor and agree to not hold the SPCM or the instructor responsible in the event of external online threats or incidents. Select "No" to decline online lessons.