General Information

Other General Information & School Policies

School Closings & Delays Due to Inclement Weather

In the event of stormy or unusual weather, NMS posts information about school delays or closings on local media outlets listed below as well as on our website (see the "Take Note" section).  A recorded message is also posted on the School’s voicemail system: (203) 624-5189 x 61.  While we will typically send an email alert, students should not count on receiving personal notification from NMS and should be sure to check one of the above information sources.

As we serve over 80 towns and cities, please DO NOT ASSUME THAT NMS WILL BE CLOSED BASED ON YOUR LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOL CANCELLATION.  The decision to close NMS is determined by safety conditions in Greater New Haven and state highway advisories.

In the event of a closing, the missed lesson is treated as a teacher absence and will either be made up during the make-up session or issued as a credit shortly after the end of the semester.

Radio Stations: WELI 960 AM, WICC 660 AM or KCIO1 FM radio
TV Stations: Channel 3 (CBS), Channel 4 (NBC), Channel 8 (ABC)

For students out of the range of these media outlets, NMS suggests that you notify your teacher of this fact in advance, so that a teacher or office staff member can attempt to alert you to closings.

Please be advised that during snow emergencies, the City of New Haven issues temporary parking bans on city streets and will ticket and tow violators.  You may wish to use the parking garage on Audubon Street.  For information about New Haven city rules, visit here or call 203-946-SNOW.

Attendance: Cancellations, Illness & Missed Lessons

As a courtesy to your teacher, please notify NMS in advance of any absence by calling the office at (203) 624-5189.  Prior notification allows a teacher to reschedule other lessons and make-ups.  However, it does not exempt the student from payment as contracted.  Teachers are under no obligation to give make-ups as a result of student absences but may do so at their discretion.  In cases of serious illness or injury, please contact the NMS Business Office.  A teacher’s absence or school cancellation due to inclement weather requires that the lesson / class be made up at a mutually convenient time by the end of the semester. If a teacher is unavailable to make up a missed lesson, which was due to teacher absence or school cancellation, the account will be credited shortly after the end of the semester.

Religious Holidays

With at least one week’s notice to the teacher and the Placement Manager, one regularly scheduled individual lesson per semester that is missed due to a religious holiday will be rescheduled as a make-up, or credited to the student’s account.  For group classes and ensembles, NMS will pro-rate fees for one religious holiday per semester.

Tardiness

Because of our faculty’s tight lesson schedules, students who are late for a lesson cannot be guaranteed their full lesson time.  Faculty will wait for a student for one third of their lesson time; students are asked to do the same.  Missed lesson time due to faculty tardiness will be made up at a mutually convenient time.

Delinquent Accounts

NMS reserves the right to suspend or discontinue instruction of any student who is delinquent in fulfilling his/her financial obligations at any time during a semester.

Withdrawals & Refunds

Notice of withdrawal must be made in writing to the NMS Placement Manager.  Lapsed attendance from lessons or classes does not excuse students for the obligation to pay for the remainder of the semester. 

Once the Placement Manager has confirmed placement of a student in a lesson or class slot, the registration fee becomes non-refundable.

  • All tuition paid will be refunded if notice of withdrawal is received at least 24 hours before the first scheduled lesson or class.
  • All tuition paid, minus the cost of one lesson or class will be refunded if notice of withdrawal is received 48 hours before the second scheduled lesson or class.
  • Students who discontinue instruction after the second scheduled lesson or class meeting are responsible for the full semester’s tuition and fees.
  • Tuition refunds (if applicable) or exceptions are determined by Heads of Programs after consultation with the Instructor

Note: NMS reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient enrollment.  In the event that a class is cancelled, a full refund or credit of both registration fee and advanced tuition deposit is issued.

Instrument Rental

Students enrolled at NMS may rent full and smaller (Suzuki) sized violins, violas, cellos and guitars based on instrument availability.  Some wind instruments (clarinets, flutes, trumpets and brass) may also be available.  There is no charge for Summer rental if the student has already registered for Fall.  NMS faculty members are happy to provide information on alternative rental or purchase of instruments.

Instrument Rental Rates:

$90 per semester (Fall and Spring)
$50 Summer Session

Media Release

Unless NMS is given advance written notice to the contrary, students, upon registration, give consent for the School to take photos, audio or video footage of classes, lessons and/or concerts without notice and to publish such photos, audio and video footage royalty free in its print, audio and electronic promotional efforts, including its website.  This consent also authorizes releases from any expectation of confidentiality for minor children of a parent of legal guardian.

Building Rules

Neighborhood Music School seeks to be an oasis of music and art for all who enter.  The School expects every adult to model the proper decorum while on the premises.

When children are not inside their classrooms, they are the responsibility of their parents or caregivers.  Parents and caregivers are required to pick up children at the classroom door promptly at the end of class.  As a courtesy to the teachers and other students, the School asks students and caregivers to wait and speak quietly in the hallways.  Failure to comply with this rule will result in the student / parent / caregiver being asked to leave the building.  It is suggested that caregivers / students bring books, quiet board games, drawing materials or homework for children to do while they wait.  NMS cannot be held responsible for children left unattended inside or outside of the building.

No bicycles, tricycles, roller blades, scooters, skateboards or pets are allowed on school property.