Our Policies

• Commitment: Private lessons are designed as a full-year commitment, and weekly attendance is important for consistent progress.

• Timing: Lessons are scheduled during the school year and will not occur during school closures or breaks.

• Location: Lessons are conducted in person on the UNIS campus.

• Coordination: Families will work directly with their assigned private lesson teacher to arrange weekly lesson times. Attendance will be monitored through the private lesson website.

LESSON TIMES

• Junior School Students: Any length lesson after school, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• Middle School Students: 30 minute lessons during lunch periods, or any length lesson after school, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• Tutorial House Students: 30 minute lessons during lunch period, or any length lesson during a free period or after school, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• If suitable slots are unavailable, email the Private Lesson Coordinator (ereineke@unis.org) to join the waitlist. You will be notified if another slot should become available.
  
  

IMPORTANT DATES

• First Semester Lessons: September 16th-January 17th

• Make-Up Week: January 21st-24th

• Second Semester Lessons: January 27th-May 29th

• T4 Students’ Lessons End: April 25th

• Private Lesson Recitals: June 2nd-June 5th

• Make-Up Week: June 9th-13th
  

• You can review all Private Lesson Date Adjustments Here

• Lesson Completion: Students are expected to complete a minimum of 12 lessons per semester.

• Tracking: Attendance can be tracked on the UNIS private lesson website, accessible to families, by going to the student's profile and selecting “past visits” on the right hand menu.

• Reporting Absences: Notify the private teacher directly by phone or email if a lesson will be missed, preferably the evening before or in the early morning (before 8:00 a.m.) of the lesson day.

• Unexcused Absences: These WILL count toward the student’s 12 pre-paid lessons. Students will be marked as “No Show” and this will be deducted from their 12-lesson package. Unexcused absences include:

• Missed lessons without prior notification

• Last-minute scheduling conflicts

• Extra-Curricular Conflicts (Sports, Theater, Clubs etc.), which do not automatically qualify as excused absences. Please discuss any anticipated after-school conflicts with your private teacher before scheduling lessons.

• Excused Absences: These will not count toward the student’s 12 pre-paid lessons and include:

• Mandatory school events (e.g. UNIS UN)

• Emergencies, severe injury, or illness that prevents students from attending their lesson.

• Make-Up Lessons

• One week at the end of each semester is reserved for make-up lessons

• If a teacher must cancel a lesson, they will offer a make-up lesson or arrange for a UNIS-approved substitute teacher.

• Make-up lessons are only provided for excused absences. If a make-up lesson cannot be scheduled after reasonable efforts, it will be deducted from the student’s 12 pre-paid lessons.

• Exceptional Circumstances: Please contact the Director of Arts to discuss your situation.

• Prepayment: Families will pre-pay for each semester, billed to your UNIS account in October and February. The pre-payment covers 12 lessons per semester. Any additional lessons will be billed separately.

• Additional Costs: Lesson fees do not include instrument rentals, printed music, reeds, strings, or other accessories

• First Semester:

• In October, Veracross accounts will be charged for the 12 pre-paid lessons

• Any excused absences from the first semester will be refunded in February if fewer than 12 lessons are completed.

• Any additional lessons above the pre-paid 12 will be billed in February.

• Second Semester:

• In February, Veracross accounts will be charged for the 12 pre-paid lessons and the $50 recital fee.

• T4 students will be billed for a 9 pre-paid lessons, with the recital fee charged only if they choose to participate.

• Any additional lessons above the pre-paid 12 will be billed in June.

The total cost for each semester is based on the number of lessons completed. Families prepay for 12 lessons at the start of the semester, the minimum completion requirement. At the end of the semester, billing is adjusted should more than 12 lessons be completed.
The prepay rates are as follows:

• 30 Minute Private Lessons: $54 per lesson ($648 pre-payment)

• 40 Minute Private Lessons: $67 per lesson ($804 pre-payment)

• 40 Minute Paired Lessons: $43 per lesson ($516 pre-payment)

• 40 Minute Group Lessons: $34 per lesson ($408 pre-payment)

• 60 Minute Private Lessons: $90 per lesson ($1,080 pre-payment)

• $50 Recital Fee (One-time fee for all students)

RECITALS

• Participation: J1-T3 students are required to participate in an end-of-year recital (optional for T4). If there are extending circumstances that prevent participation, please notify the private lesson teacher or coordinator as soon as possible to discuss potential options.

• Dates: Recitals will take place l between June 2nd and 5th. You will be notified of your specific date and time by your private lesson instructor in the second semester.

• Fee: A $50 fee is charged to cover administrative costs.

• Mandatory Lessons: M2-T4 students in a band or string ensemble are required to continue private lessons to remain in the ensemble. Withdrawal from lessons will result in removal from the ensemble.

• Non-Mandatory Lessons: Students participating in non-mandatory private lessons are expected to complete their year-long commitment.. If withdrawing after the first semester, please notify the Private Lesson Coordinator (ereineke@unis.org) before January 10th, 2024.

• Please note that refunds are not available for withdrawals mid-semester. For exceptional circumstances, please contact the Director of Arts.