Policies

CSA Policies

Changes in enrollment

Withdrawal

The withdrawal process begins with direct communication with the teacher.  Once this is completed the parent should fill out a Withdrawal Request form.  This provides the office with necessary information to process the withdrawal. After the student's final bill is paid in full, the withdrawal will be complete.

A $35 cancellation fee will be assessed for students who enroll and subsequently withdraw prior to the first class. A student who withdraws during the first four weeks of the semester will be charged for the weeks prior to withdrawal, plus 50% of the semester’s remaining tuition. For a withdrawal after week four of the semester there is no tuition refund except in the case of serious illness or relocation, the final determination of which shall be made by CSA. 

Change in Lesson Length

Any changes in the duration of lessons are at the discretion of the teacher. Please speak directly to your teacher if you have concerns.

Registration

Steps for New Student Registration:

1. Determine the program for which you would like to register (Suzuki, Prep, Early Childhood/Music Makers at the Keyboard, Beethoven's Buddies)
2. Complete a new student registration form for that program
3. Submit $35 non-refundable registration fee by check or cash (mail or in person to CSA, 501 College Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187)
Online payment is available; registration fee is $36.20 to cover fees.
4. Receive a call from our office or your program's placement coordinator to determine schedule / teacher availability
5. Once your placement in a class or with a private teacher is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email detailing schedule and other details like parking, tuition payment schedule, and more

Steps for Current Student Re-Registration:

1. Students registered for Fall lessons and classes are automatically renewed for Spring semester
2. The annual, non-refundable, re-registration fee for current students is $20 and is automatically applied to the student's bill
3. Any changes, including withdrawal, must be communicated in writing at least 24 hours prior to the first class or lesson of Spring semester. Class change requests should be emailed to csa@wheaton.edu (Early Childhood only). Withdrawals should fill out our Withdrawal Request form.
4. Once Spring semester begins, all regular attendance & withdrawal policies are in effect (see below). Any changes or withdrawals made later than 24 hours before the first class or lesson of Spring semester are subject to a $35 change fee.

Suzuki/Prep Groups

Group classes are assigned according to the student's level and experience. Once a group assignment is made, it is not our policy to accommodate changes. If a family chooses not to participate in group class, there will be no tuition adjustment.

Tuition, Billing, and Payments

Tuition for private and group instruction is billed by semester, sent via email to the email address provided on the registration form.

Tuition may be paid by check, cash, or online.

Final Bill Due Dates by semester:

• • December 10 (Fall)
  • April 10 (Spring)
  • August 10 (Summer)

Billing statements are emailed monthly. Quarterly, monthly, biweekly, or other regular installment payments are encouraged, provided the full semester amount is paid by the due date above.

A $50 fee will be assessed for any returned checks.

Check / Cash Payments

Checks should be written to "CSA" and contain student's name and ID number. Checks/cash can be submitted three ways:

1. In person, via the secure CSA Dropbox, located in the main floor stairwell of Armerding Center for Music and the Arts, around the corner/behind the elevator. Place in an envelope with student's name. Dropbox is checked daily.
2. In person during regular business hours to the main CSA office at Armerding Center for Music and the Arts, Suite 150. You may request to see Maling Chou or leave in an envelope with student's name with the front desk receptionist.
3. Via mail:
   Community School of the Arts
   501 College Ave.
   Wheaton, IL 60187

Online Payments

You may pay using our online payment portal.

Please note that online payments incur an online processing fee; if you wish to avoid this fee, please pay via cash or check. 

Past Due Accounts

Unpaid account balances will be charged a 7% late fee, applied to any outstanding amount that remains after the following due dates:

• December 10
• April 10
• August 10

CSA reserves the right to suspend or discontinue instruction of any student with a past due account. 

Attendance/Make-ups

Students are expected to be present for all lessons and classes.

Private Instruction

If a student cancels a lesson, the teacher is not obligated to make up the lesson, nor will tuition be adjusted. If the teacher cancels the lesson, it will be made up. Parents are encouraged to trade lessons when conflicts arise. It is the student’s responsibility to verify time/location of a traded lesson. Please notify the teacher of a cancellation or trade prior to the lesson.

Group Instruction

Class absences will not be made up. When a teacher is absent the class will be made up if a substitute is not available.

Tuition Assistance

Thanks to the generous support of our Annual Campaign contributors, limited scholarships are available for students with demonstrated need. Aid is awarded based on documented tax returns, family size, and is subject to availability of funds as well as facility and program capacity.

Applications are reviewed twice a year and strict deadlines are as follows:

• July 1—Fall Semester (and also full-year applicants; July applicants need not apply again in November)
• November 1—Spring Semester

Health Policy

Providing a healthy environment for all participants in CSA is a priority to the organization. Therefore, CSA and Wheaton College reserve the right to limit attendance at lessons/classes to teachers and students, determined at our discretion, not to be a health risk to others. Participants suffering from infectious diseases, open wounds, persistent coughs or colds or other potentially transmissible health conditions are to cancel lessons. The effect on tuition of such changes will be in accordance with the Attendance/Make-up Policy.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Parent/Teacher Conferences are held in January for all private lesson students. A specific lesson will be designated as a conference time.

Student Photographs

Photographs and video footage of students engaged in class, lessons, or performance activities may be used for publicity purposes.

Weather Cancellations

CSA does not necessarily follow public school cancellations. When weather conditions are questionable, cancellation notification will be as follows: Classes—check CSA website at csa.wheaton.edu. Private Lessons—teachers will notify students.

Equal Opportunity

CSA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, nationality, sex, ethnic origin, or religious belief in its admission, financial aid or other educational policies.