Policies and Procedures

General Policies

• All classes and lessons that take place on campus will be taught in accordance with the New York City, New York State, CDC, CUNY COVID-19, and other relevant guidelines of the time. Virtual makeup sessions will be offered for the lessons and classes that cannot be taught in person for any reason.
• Placement with a private music, theater, or dance teacher at registration is for the school year. Changing private teacher placement can be made at registration for the following year, with the approval of the director.
• It is the responsibility of the parent or the adult student to notify the director when problems arise, whether financial, instructional, or personal. Every effort will be made to respond to the needs of students and their parents.
• The Preparatory Center reserves the right to dismiss any student because of lack of interest or progress, frequent absences, frequent tardiness, behavioral problems, delinquency of fees, or failure to abide by the policies laid out here. This includes parents’ inappropriate behavior and lack of adherence to the Preparatory Center policies.
• The Preparatory Center reserves the right to change a student’s class level during the school year to ensure his or her proper development.
• The Preparatory Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, or religious beliefs in its admission, student aid, scholarship, or educational policies.
• The Preparatory Center reserves the right to alter the length of or cancel any class for which there is insufficient enrollment.
• It is up to the discretion of the teacher as to whether the parent can observe the class or lesson.
• Students enrolled at the Preparatory Center cannot concurrently study the same instrument or discipline at another institution, or with another private teacher, without the prior approval of the director.
• No more than one Preparatory Center scholarship and/or discount can be combined for the same lessons/classes/ensembles.

Scheduling of Lessons and Classes

All in-person Preparatory Center lessons and classes are held on the Brooklyn College campus. Classroom locations will be provided before the beginning of the semester. Scheduling is based on proper placement of each student and is determined by students’ experience and age. Any changes in schedules must be arranged through the office, not with the instructor.

On performance days, students receive a brief rehearsal or warm-up in lieu of a full lesson or class. All payments have to be up to date for the student to be allowed to take classes/lessons. When lessons or classes have been suspended for delinquent tuition payment, teachers are not required to give makeups, even after payment has been brought up to date.

Student Attendance

Students must make every effort to be on time for all classes and lessons. In deference to subsequent lessons and classes, all activities will end at the scheduled time. Students with private music lessons must inform both their private teachers and the Preparatory Center office of any anticipated absences. Students with group classes should notify the Preparatory Center office of any anticipated absences. Notification does not, however, exempt the family from payment as contracted. Teachers are not required to make up these absences.

Teacher Absences

If a teacher is absent for a private lesson, there will be a substitute teacher or a makeup lesson will be arranged during the Makeup Week, or at a mutually convenient time. The teacher will offer up to two times for the makeup lesson. If the student misses the agreed upon makeup lesson, an additional makeup lesson will not be arranged. However, payment will be required as in a regular student absence. If a teacher is absent for a group class, only one makeup time will be offered. When lessons or classes have been suspended for delinquent tuition payment, teachers are not required to give makeups, even after payment has been brought up to date.

Withdrawals and Refunds

Withdrawal from the Preparatory Center must be made in writing to the director. Notifying the teacher is not considered notification of withdrawal. Absences do not constitute withdrawal from the class or lesson. The date on which the written withdrawal is received determines the amount charged. The registration fee is not refundable. Withdrawals must be made before the sixth week of class/lesson for the school-year enrollment, before the fourth week of class/lesson for the spring enrollment, and before the third week of class/lesson for the summer enrollment for the remaining tuition to be refunded. After each indicated deadline, you are responsible for the full tuition. The registration fee is nonrefundable.

Safety and Security

Brooklyn College requires that all students and parents/guardians carry a Preparatory Center Pass for access to the campus, which can be acquired from the Preparatory Center Office. Each registered student and parent will receive a pass along with the student’s schedule and tuition payment plan. The Preparatory Center cannot accept responsibility for children when they are not in class. To ensure a child’s safety, parents with children under age seven must wait outside of the classroom while the class is in session. Parents with children ages eight and up must accompany the child to the classroom and be prepared to pick the child up promptly at the scheduled end of the class. Parents should notify the office if they are delayed in meeting their child. Preparatory Center staff are not permitted to escort children from one part of the campus to another.

Media Release

By signing the contract/registration form, parents or students agree to the use of audio recordings, video recordings, and photographs of Preparatory Center students for archival and promotional purposes, waiving any rights or objections for such use, unless written notice is given to the director that such use may not be made.

Emergency Closing

Closing due to bad weather, illnesses, pandemic, natural disasters, and all other external circumstances is posted on the Brooklyn College website. The parent/guardian/student can also call the Security Office at 718.951.5511 for emergency closure information. Note that if the Preparatory Center is closed for external circumstances, an effort will be made to make up lessons/classes; however, makeup lessons/classes are not guaranteed. If the campus is closed, the Preparatory Center will be closed as well.