The following policies and guidelines have been established to benefit NVMS, its staff, and students in support of all achieving success.

Equal Opportunity Statement: The North Valley Music School is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in admissions, financial aid, scholarship, and employment. NVMS prohibits discrimination of an individual based upon age, race, color, religion, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identification, non-job related handicap/disability, veteran’s status or any other characteristics protected by law.

 Attendance and Campus Protocol

To support the student in making the most of each lesson/course, NVMS asks all students to be punctual and well-organized.  Please have a music bag/backpack capable of holding all materials including music books, supplemental pieces, and homework logs required for the lesson/course with you at each lesson/course.

NVMS asks all students and visitors to adopt behaviors customary in a library setting when on the NVMS campus.  Particularly, speaking in hushed tones and moving quietly when in the hallways or classrooms is appreciated.  In this way, students and teachers in session can hear and focus without outside interruption.

Students should not enter or be in studios unless it’s their lesson time or the office has given permission to use the space for practice.

Much like other activities, you are responsible for your time slot.  Please be mindful and on time. Although we try and make everyone happy, it’s not possible and we appreciate your understanding and patience as we try and fulfill your needs.  Please don’t heckle, demean, or disrespect the staff, faculty, or other parents for another spot.  Requests are fulfilled as much as possible.  Be Kind.  We all do our best.  : )

Practice Guidelines

The best way to approach music practice is to divide up practice time into several shorter segments with breaks in between.  For example, if going to school or work, practice before or after returning home, do another session later in the afternoon, and again in the evening.  By doing this, a student will be less likely to become overwhelmed, frustrated or lose concentration.  Sing or play for a time, then take a break and come back to the instrument.  This method will encourage the student to develop a fresh new look on his/her piece(s).

Here are three essential practice guidelines to follow:

1. Designate a place to practice in your home with a chair, stand, keyboard, etc.
2. Set up daily practice times and keep to them
3. Hold yourself or your young student accountable for daily practice. Be committed and/or support the young student to accomplish his/her goals for the week.  Instructors will communicate goals and assignments via practice records. We encourage parents to guide their children in their routine practice times.

Performances

NVMS offers each student the opportunity to perform and play in recitals.  NVMS hosts several recitals throughout the year.  We strongly recommend regular student participation in these performances as they are extremely beneficial to significantly deepen and expand a student’s musical development, in addition to building confidence as a person, musician and artist.

Holiday and Inclement Weather School Closures

NVMS does not schedule lessons/courses on most National Holidays; however, some teachers and students may choose to continue with private lessons as needed.  Please speak to instructors directly to schedule lessons during holidays.  NVMS seeks to align its schedule of classes with local school calendars.  However, from time to time our classes may continue beyond the end of local semesters and if necessary, make-up lessons will be scheduled.

Weather-related closures will be made the day of in response to local road conditions by 9:00 am.  We do not follow school closures as most of our programs are later in the day.  Canceled classes will be rescheduled accordingly.  Call NVMS at 406-862-8074 for updated information.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substance Policy

1. Staff, Instructors, Students, Volunteers, and visitors of the Music School shall not smoke or use tobacco products on School property or property leased to the School.
2. Staff, Instructors, Students, Volunteers, and visitors of the Music School shall not possess or use any controlled substance on school property or property leased to the School.
3. Staff, Instructors, Students, Volunteers, and visitors of the Music School may not consume or possess alcoholic beverages inside or on the school grounds nor of any building under a lease or rental agreement with the School.
4. Any person in violation of or reasonably suspected of a violation of the aforementioned policies regarding Alcohol, Tobacco, and Controlled Substances will be asked to immediately vacate the premises and to meet with a member of the Board of Directors and the Executive Director at a mutually agreeable time and location before returning for any event conducted by the Music School.
5. There are exceptions regarding alcohol use for events that have the prearranged event permits.

FINANCIAL AND TUITION POLICIES

NVMS tuition is charged by the school year in advance with 36 lessons per year.  If requested, semester fees can be divided into equal monthly payments due in advance on the first of the month of service.  Each year a student must reenroll but will have the opportunity to hold their spot in late spring for the following year.

Please note:  In order to enroll in a new year, a student’s account must be current.  A student cannot continue taking private lessons or enroll in group classes the following year if his/her account contains an outstanding balance.  Please call NVMS at 406-862-8074 if you have any questions about your account.

All lesson payments are due at the beginning of each month of service.

NVMS accepts check, cash, and credit cards.  Payment plans can be set up on your online account

Please make all checks payable to NVMS

 REFUND POLICIES

Private Lessons
Annual Registration fees are NON-refundable and due at the time of enrollment.

Students who withdraw prior to the day of their first lesson (no less than 24 hours prior) will receive a full refund for lessons.
There is a two-week cancellation policy for withdrawals. Give two weeks’ notice prior to withdrawal as accounts will be charged for the last two weeks.  Exceptions must be submitted to the Executive Director in writing for consideration.

If a teacher cancels the student will be credited or rescheduled.

Group Lessons
A full refund will be given for a group lesson if withdrawal is made one week prior to the start of classes. A 75% refund will be issued up to the end of the first week. A 50% refund will be issued after two classes and no refunds are eligible after the 3rd class. NVMS reserves the right to cancel any group class due to insufficient enrollment, in which case a full refund is given.

Cancellation and Make-Up Lesson Policy
Students are entitled to two make-up lessons per semester due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness and if the time is available in the instructor’s schedule. All make-up lessons must be made up during the same semester.

Cancellations should be made at least 24 hours prior to lesson time except in the case of severe illness or an emergency, but NVMS policy states the instructor still gets paid for the missed lesson and therefore the student will be charged.

Make-up lessons may be offered in cases where the instructor is unexpectedly absent or they will be credited.  Some instructors have full schedules and makeup lessons are near impossible to schedule.

Students must provide two weeks notice prior to ending lessons; students will be billed for those last two weeks.

There will be no make-up lesson for missed group lessons. If a teacher cancels they may provide a make-up class.

Annual Registration Fee and Group Class Discount Package

The Annual Registration Fee is due at the time of enrollment. There is no sibling discount for the annual registration fee.

NVMS offers group discounts when a student and/or an additional family member are enrolled in multiple group lessons during the same semester. 10% off for 3rd family member/self.

*Families – (Defined as 2 generations of the same household only – example – Parent/Child or Child/Sibling)

 MEDIA RELEASE

When registering for classes at NVMS, you must check the box to OPT OUT, otherwise, you grant NVMS permission to use photographs, images, and/or recordings of you or your child who is a student at NVMS, to be used in NVMS publications and materials in print or electronic format for any lawful purpose

Revised 8/31/23