Policies and
Information

At The Music School of Delaware, families can find everything they need to prepare for lessons, classes, ensembles in one place. This section includes school policies, closing procedures, and answers to common questions.

Policies

Our policies outline the expectations that keep learning consistent and fair for all students. They cover enrollment, attendance, billing, instrument requirements and rental, and other essentials that guide day-to-day participation at the school.

• Registration & Enrollment

  Enrollment is for the full academic year unless otherwise noted. A $50 annual registration fee applies, along with a $5 nonrefundable deposit per class, lesson, or ensemble. Families may register online through the Programs section.

• Attendance & Make-Ups

  Regular attendance is expected. One student illness make-up per semester is allowed with notice by 9:00 a.m. on the lesson day. Teacher absences and emergency school closings are always made up. Make-ups for other reasons are at the discretion of the instructor.

• Billing & Payments

  Families may pay tuition in full or choose monthly billing through the student/family portal. Automatic payments are scheduled for the 1st or 15th of the month. Returned checks incur a $25 fee, and overdue balances may result in suspended instruction.

• Tuition Assistance

  Tuition assistance and the Northrop Fund for Music Education is available for families with financial need. Applications, along with supporting documentation, must be submitted at the time of registration and payment of the registration fee. Families receiving summer aid do not need to reapply for the fall. If a family does not meet the criteria for tuition assistance and, as a result, no longer wishes to enroll in lessons, the family must notify the school before lessons begin. In such instances, the registration fee will be returned.

• Instruments & Materials

  Instrument rentals are available in limited supply. Piano students are strongly encouraged to have regular access to a standard and well-maintained acoustic piano. Families are responsible for instrument care and replacement costs if damaged or lost.

Summer Policies & Information

Summer sessions have unique guidelines that differ from the academic year. This section outlines how registration, payment, attendance, and refunds work for summer programs so families know what to expect.

• How to Register

  Families can register online for summer lessons, classes, camps, and workshops. A Summer Processing Fee applies to all registrations (except one-day workshops): $15 at Milford and associated satellites, and $25 at Wilmington and its satellites. Classes with tuition under $100 are exempt from this fee. The fee is waived if full payment is received by June 1.
  
  Full payment includes the Summer Processing Fee (after June 1), tuition, and any materials fees. Enrollment is first-come, first-served and must be secured by paying in full. The Music School reserves the right to cancel programs due to low enrollment.

• Teacher Absence

  Lessons missed by a teacher are eligible for make ups, scheduled directly with the teacher. In some cases, The Music School of Delaware may issue a refund in place of a make-up.

• Student Absence

  Missed summer lessons or classes cannot be made up or refunded. No refunds are issued for early withdrawal.

• Refunds/Discontinuance Policy

  Discontinuance without penalty occurs only at mid-year, between the fall and spring semesters, and requires advance written notice to the Music School before the beginning of the second semester. Notice to the teacher is not sufficient. Should discontinuance be elected by the student/family for any reason, a formal email or letter (no text messages or voicemails) must be sent to the Student Services team at the Music School. The Music School may impose discontinuance upon any student in the event of excessive absence or late payments. Enrollment is for the entire academic year unless otherwise indicated in class descriptions.
  • Students ceasing private lessons or classes prior to the end of a semester (two quarters) are still liable for the full semester’s tuition.
  • All make-up lessons for student illness will be forfeited upon early withdrawal.
  • No refunds are given for class/ensemble tuition after the start of the first class or rehearsal.
  • No refunds are given for materials fees, registration fees, or the $5 per-class deposit (exception below).
  • If the Music School cancels a class/ensemble due to low enrollment and a student does not enroll in a different class/ensemble, the $5 per-class deposit and any applicable fees will be refunded.
  • Discontinuance imposed by the Music School for poor attendance is not subject to any refund, and balance due for the semester remains payable.
  • Temporary discontinuance may be elected if a student should miss three or more consecutive lessons due to an extreme case of illness (e.g., broken bone). The Student Services team at the Wilmington Branch or Milford Branch must be informed of the exact dates of absence before the temporary discontinuance begins. Notice to the teacher is not sufficient.
    Students must provide the following in a formal discontinuance email/letter (no text messages or voicemails):

Students must provide the following in a formal discontinuance email/letter (no text messages or voicemails):

• Student Full Name
• Teacher Full Name
• Instrument/Class Name
• Last Session (mm/dd/yyyy)
• Reason for Discontinuance
• Date of request

• Summer Refund & Cancellation Policy

  • Before June 1: Full tuition and materials fees are refundable.
  • After June 1: No refunds will be given.
    If the Music School cancels a program due to insufficient enrollment, families will receive a full refund of tuition and materials fees.

• Special Needs & Accessibility

  The Music School of Delaware welcomes students of all abilities and provides ADA-compliant facilities. Families are encouraged to share any pertinent information at registration so the best placement can be made.

Private Lessons FAQs

Families often have questions about scheduling, absences, billing, and registration. These FAQs summarize the most common policies so students can focus on music.