Academy Policies

ALL WELCOME
Hoffman Academy is a welcoming and inclusive community. We welcome people of all races, religions, countries of origin, orientations, genders, ages, abilities, and disabilities here.

BE KIND & RESPECTFUL
We expect all families, teachers, students, and employees to abide by our All Welcome Statement and Code of Conduct. Students or family members exhibiting disrespectful or aggressive behavior toward anyone will be spoken with to resolve the issue, and their registration may be canceled if the problem persists. If you or your student experience disrespectful behavior from any member of our community, please let someone in the office know, and we will do our best to resolve the issue.

CODE OF CONDUCT
At Hoffman Academy, we seek to create a learning environment based on mutual respect between students, parents, and teachers. If a student’s behavior is disruptive to a class or is disrespectful to a teacher or fellow student, the student’s teacher will notify a parent to discuss the issue and possible solutions. Our hope is that with good communication the issue can be resolved. If the problematic behavior persists, Hoffman Academy reserves the right to cancel the student’s enrollment. If enrollment is canceled due behavior issues, Hoffman Academy will refund 50% of the remaining tuition for the semester.

TUITION & FEE PAYMENT
Tuition and registration fee is due in full upon enrollment, unless an installment plan is requested. Receipt of your payment reserves your placement at the Academy and signifies an agreement to these policies throughout the course of the student’s enrollment.

A registration fee is charged for each semester a student is enrolled. This is required and covers the following costs:

  • Curriculum materials such as workbooks, CDs, and sheet music

  • Access to our music lending library, which provides a large selection of sheet music

  • Recital and concert venue fees

  • Administrative costs

Except in rare occasions, registration fees are non-refundable.

PAYMENT OPTIONS
Families who are experiencing financial hardship or special circumstances that prevent them from paying tuition in full can apply for an installment plan. Please Note: To be eligible for a tuition installment plan, you must be enrolled, have a credit or debit card on file, and agree to have your installments set up on Auto-Pay. To request an installment plan, please fill out the Installment Plan Application. If you need more information or have questions about the installment plan application, please contact our Office Team – office@hoffmanacademy.com.

18-WEEK SEMESTER LESSONS & CLASSES (FALL & SPRING)
Your enrollment at Hoffman Academy signifies your commitment to continue lessons for the entire 18-week semester at the day/time agreed upon at enrollment and to complete payment of the entire semester tuition. Each semester equals 18 weeks of instruction. Registration fees are non-refundable except in the unusual circumstance where a lesson time acceptable to both parties cannot be found during the scheduling process, in which case all registration fees and tuition payments already paid will be refunded in full.

The deadline for semester enrollment cancellations is two weeks prior to the first day of each semester. Cancellation notices must be provided to the Academy office in writing. If enrollment is canceled on or before the cancellation deadline, tuition payment will be refunded in full. After the cancellation deadline, we are unable to accept semester cancellations and the account holder is obligated to pay the semester tuition in full.

COME TOGETHER WEEK
Two times each semester (during Fall & Spring Semesters), a special group class will be held in place of the regular weekly lesson for piano & voice students. Come Together Week classes are 60 minutes in length, with 4-8 students in each class. Parents should not attend Come Together Week classes. The schedule for Come Together Week classes will be announced at least 2 weeks prior to the class, and students will be given the opportunity to reschedule if necessary. Learn more about Come Together Week here.

SEMESTER MISSED/CANCELLED LESSONS

Student Cancellations: Make-up lessons are not offered if lessons are missed or canceled by the student. If you know in advance you will need to miss a lesson, please notify your teacher so that they can provide an emailed assignment for that week (48 hours notice is appreciated). Make-up Lessons from an Economist’s Point of View

Tardiness: If a student is more than 15 minutes late to a lesson or class, they are considered a no show.

Teacher Cancellations: If your teacher has to cancel a lesson for any reason, that lesson will be rescheduled at a time convenient for you and the teacher.

Substitute Teacher: If your teacher is unable to attend a lesson, the Academy may opt to provide a qualified substitute teacher for that lesson.

Snow Days: When driving conditions around the Academy appear dangerous due to weather, for the safety of our students and employees, we may choose to close the Academy for that day. A closure notification will be emailed to students and posted on the Academy website no later than 2pm on the day of the closure. When the Academy is closed due to inclement weather, instead of a live lesson, private lesson students will be offered a video lesson with their teacher at the same day/time as their regular lesson. Group class students will be offered an online video check-in with the teacher and an online assignment. No make-up lessons will be given for snow days, even if the student chooses not to participate in an offered video lesson.

SUMMER LESSONS
The cancellation deadline for summer enrollment is two weeks prior to the first day of the summer session. If private lesson enrollment is canceled on or before the deadline, tuition payment will be refunded in full. After the deadline tuition payments are non-refundable.

SUMMER CAMPS & GROUP CLASSES
Workshop and Group Class enrollment canceled 31 or more calendar days prior to the start date will be eligible for a full refund. If you cancel 22-30 calendar days prior to the start of a workshop or class, the total tuition is refundable minus a $25 cancellation fee. If you cancel 15-21 calendar days prior to the start of a workshop or class, 50% of the tuition will be refunded. If you cancel 8-14 days prior to the start of a workshop or class, 30% of the tuition will be refunded. If you cancel 7 days or less prior to the start of workshop or class, no refund will be given. All cancellation notices must be provided to the Academy office in writing – office@hoffmanacademy.com.

The Academy reserves the right to cancel a workshop or class if there are fewer than 4 students enrolled two weeks prior to the start of the workshop. If a workshop or class is canceled due to low enrollment, the Academy will provide a full refund.

SUMMER MISSED/CANCELLED WORKSHOPS, LESSONS, & CLASSES
Lessons:
Summer lessons follow a flexible schedule and will be jointly scheduled by the teacher and the student at the beginning of the summer. After the summer lesson schedule has been finalized, students may cancel/reschedule up to one lesson if necessary. Lesson must be canceled or rescheduled by directly contacting the teacher at least one week prior to original scheduled lesson.

Workshops & Group Classes: Make-up lessons are not offered for missed days of workshop or class.

Substitute Teacher: If your teacher is unable to attend a workshop or lesson, the Academy reserves the right to provide a qualified substitute teacher for that lesson.

Teacher Cancellations: If your teacher must cancel a workshop or lesson for any reason, and a substitute teacher cannot be arranged, a make-up lesson will be provided.

MISCELLANEOUS POLICIES

Food/Drink: Please do not bring food (including gum) or drink into the Academy.

Calendar: Please note that the Academy does not directly follow the same calendar as the local schools. Please ask the office if you have any specific calendar questions!

You belong here.

Hoffman Academy Portland seeks to create a welcoming, nurturing, and supportive environment in which to learn and share music for all people, regardless of age, religion, race, gender, orientation, ability level, or socioeconomic background.