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ABOUT & POLICIES
Mission Statement
Founded in 1990, Church Street School for Music and Art is the only nonprofit community school for the arts in lower Manhattan, committed to providing high-quality art and music programs for diverse students of all ages, abilities, race, gender, sexual orientation, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. A long-standing community resource dedicated to public programming and outreach, the school specializes in facilitating the physical creative process, and strives to connect each student with their unique artistic voice. We believe in the transformative and therapeutic power of the arts and are dedicated to providing accessibility to the arts for all.
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This Year, Church Street School for Music & Art has:
Experiential Learning
In our experiential learning based programs, we believe learning happens through open-ended creation that allows for random occurrences, improvisation, and exploration. Our classes focus on the individual student’s interests and curiosity while encouraging experimentation and play. Our focus on process celebrates the creative genius of children, empowering them and building confidence that stretches beyond the art studio.
As children mature, our programs gradually incorporate instruction in the more technical aspects of art-making, but always with the emphasis on developing the individual’s unique artistic process.
The Dalcroze Method & Music Education
Church Street School’s music classes incorporate The Dalcroze Method, a whole-body music education technique created by a Swiss composer, musician and educator in the early twentieth century.
“I know, because I have experienced.” Emil Jaques-Dalcroze used these words to describe the fundamentals of his method. Rhythm is best understood when it is directly experienced as it is taught. It begins with the natural rhythms of human life – breath, heart, steps.
The Dalcroze Method is geared to all ages and levels of ability. It is ideal for the youngest child because classes are highly physical and upbeat, the way young children learn best. It is also an acclaimed alternative to traditional methods of learning music theory for older children and adults. Read more about the the Dalcroze method here!
INVOICES/ PAYMENT
ALL OUTSTANDING BALANCES AND PAYMENT PLANS WILL BE CHARGED AUTOMATICALLY TO THE CREDIT CARD ON FILE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW SEMESTER.
If you prefer to pay with another method, the alternative payment must be received before the first day of the semester.
Tuition for all programs is prorated to reflect student's start date.
Families are welcome to sign up for an installment payment plan for a fee of $35 (cash)/ $36.05 (credit).
Your invoice includes your registration details – class name, day and time.
Non-merit or financial aid based scholarships cannot exceed 10% per semester, per family.
All programs are subject to a $60 (cash)/ $61.80 annual registration fee.
This registration fee is applicable to enrollments for all programs that take place during that CSSMA school year.
The CSSMA school year runs from September to August.
Beginning on September 1st 2025, all credit card transactions will be subject to a fee based upon the processing fees set by each individual credit card company.
An average updated price for credit card transactions will be listed on our website and in all materials moving forward in accordance with New York State law.
RE-ENROLLMENT
For students registered in the Spring 2026 Semester, we will automatically hold your scheduled day and time for the Fall 2026 Semester on each registration, unless you cancel or reschedule before Sunday, June 7th 2026. The Registrar will still need to confirm with you in order to process payments.
After this date, unclaimed private lesson spots will opened up to all incoming students.
TRIAL CLASSES, DISMISSAL, SCHEDULE CHANGES, & LATE PICKUP FEES
All trial participants for standard length lessons and classes are required to pay a single class fee.
Students must be picked up promptly after their class or lesson ends and must be signed out from their class by a parent, guardian or authorized caregiver.
All private or partner lesson schedule changes, including lesson extensions, must be arranged prior to the lesson and may not be made during or immediately before a lesson. Students and their families are instructed to contact the Registrar via email at info@churchstreetschool.org or by telephone at 212-571-7290 to coordinate any modifications. Schedule changes may not interfere with another student’s scheduled lesson.
Those who arrive late for pickup will automatically be charged a $15 (cash) | $15.45 (credit)/hr late fee for after school care.
STUDIO POLICY
Visitors in Lessons & Classes
Private lessons and Band Factory classes are closed sessions for enrolled students only.
Lessons and rehearsals are intended for registered participants to ensure a focused learning environment.
Guests, including friends, and siblings are not permitted to attend or sit in without prior approval.
Requests for a guest to join a single class must be arranged with the front office at least 24 hours in advance and require payment of a single class fee.
Approved visitors must remain respectful and non-disruptive at all times.
Instructors reserve the right to ask any guest to leave if their presence interferes with the session.
MAKE UP CLASSES
One make-up lesson per year will be offered at the end of the spring semester in June for private music or art lesson absences for which at least 24 hours’ notice was given.
All make-up lessons will take place from June 20th, 2026 - June 26th, 2026
Beginning in September 2026, one private instrumental or art make-up lesson per semester will be offered for absences for which at least 24 hours’ notice was given.
Fall 2026 semester make-up lessons will take place on Saturday, January 30th & Sunday, January 31st.
Spring 2027 semester make-up lessons will take place from Sunday, June 20th to Friday, June 25th.
Make-up classes are not offered for student absences in group classes.
No make-up classes or refunds will be given in the case of natural disasters and extreme or inclement weather.
IMPORTANT DATES
Spring 2026 Semester: January 26th, 2026 to June 18th, 2026.
Summer 2026 Dates: June 22nd, 2026 to September 4th, 2026
Fall 2026 Semester: September 14th, 2026 to January 31st, 2027.
Spring 2027 Semester: February 1st, 2027 to June 17th, 2027.
SUMMER ENROLLMENT POLICIES:
Payment for all summer programs is due in full at the time of registration.
Families that have been pre-qualified may pay 25% at registration. The remaining balance is due on the first day of the program.
Summer enrollments are subject to a $60 (cash)/ $61.80 registration fee.
Not applicable to families that have already paid the annual registration fee for programs that took place during the Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 semesters.
Students wishing to withdraw from their current summer registration at Church Street School must present a written request stating the date and reasons for the withdrawal.
Refunds (minus classes taken and the non-refundable registration fee) will be given up to the 3rd day after beginning class. No refunds will be given after the 3rd day.
Students withdrawing prior to summer program start have an opportunity to convert their tuition to an in-house credit toward another class.
Credits must be applied before the end of the fiscal year (August 31st) in which they are issued.
Credits can be applied toward the current semester, summer classes, prepaid tuition for future semesters, tickets for school events, or converted to a tax deductible donation.
Please note that no refunds will be given for missed sessions.
CLOSURES & SEMESTER DATES
SPRING 2026
Spring Semester Begins — Mon, January 26th
Mid-Winter Recess — Sat, February 14th - Fri, February 20th
Eid al-Fitr — Fri, March 20th
Spring Break — Thurs, April 2nd - Fri, April 10th
Memorial Day — Mon, May 25th
Eid al-Adha — Wed, May 27th
Spring Semester Ends — Thurs , June 18th
Juneteenth — Fri, June 19th
Make Up Week — Sat, June 20th - Fri, June 26th
SUMMER 2026
Summer Programs Begin — Mon, June 22nd
Independence Day (observed) — Fri, July 3rd
Summer Programs End — Fri, September 4th
FALL 2026
Fall Semester Begins — Mon, September 14th
Yom Kippur (closed) —Mon, September 21st
Indigenous People's Day (closed) — Thurs, October 12th
Veterans Day (closed) — Wed, November 11th
Thanksgiving Break (closed) — Wed, November 25th - Sun, November 29th
Winter Break (closed) — Wed, December 23rd - Sun, January 3rd
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (closed) — Mon, January 18th
Fall Make-Up Weekend — Sat, January 30th - Sun, January 31st
Fall Semester Ends — Sun, January 31st
SPRING 2027
Spring Semester Begins — Mon, February 1st
Mid-Winter Recess (closed) — Mon, February 13th - Fri, February 19th
Good Friday (closed) — Fri, March 26th
Spring Recess (closed) — Thurs, April 22nd - Fri, April 30th
Memorial Day (closed) — Wed, May 31st
Spring Semester Ends — Thurs, June 17th
Juneteenth (closed) — Sat, June 19th
Make-Up Week — Sun, June 20th - Fri, June 25th
Age deadline determined as of September 15th of the academic year.
The school year is divided into two 18-week semesters from September to June.
All programs are subject to a $60 (cash)/ $61.80 (credit) annual registration fee.
This registration fee is applicable to enrollments for all programs that take place during that CSSMA school year.
The CSSMA school year runs from September to August.
Classes are filled on a first come, first serve basis.
Tuition is prorated for the remainder of the term from the first class taken.
Church Street School reserves the right to change the schedule of classes, teachers or cancel classes at any time if needed.
Tuition rates account for all major school holidays and academic breaks.
Payment is due in full at the time of registration, or a 25% deposit must be given and a credit card kept on file, with the balance run automatically on the first day of class.
Students enrolling on or after the first day of class must pay in full at the time of registration. Any student who has an outstanding balance at the end of the semester will not be allowed to enroll for the following term.
Payment plans are available for a fee of $35 (cash)/ $36.05 (credit) and require that a credit card be kept on file. Payments will be set by the Director of Programs and Registrar on a Friday between the 20th and 25th of each month.
Payment plans must be set up before the payment is due in order to avoid late fees.
A late fee of $25 (cash)/ $25.75 (credit) will be applied to all late payments. If the balance continues to go unpaid, late fees will continue to be applied on a monthly basis, and the student will be at risk of dismissal.
Audits may be scheduled for trial classes or siblings/ friends who would like to attend a class. Prior permission must be granted by the front office and an audit fee must be paid.
For each academic year, families must provide up-to-date medical and emergency contact information for each child registered in programs at Church Street School. Forms can be requested via email. Please let us know of any changes ASAP.
Absences & School Closure
Your child must be picked up and signed out from their class promptly at the end of class (if it is a drop-off class). In the event of an emergency, please call the school and let us know what other arrangements will be made.
Parents must notify the school if their child will be missing class.
In accordance with the NYC Department of Education, Church Street School has a “No Head Lice” policy. Students who have live head lice are not allowed to attend in-person programs until they are lice-free. Students with nits are still allowed to attend.
Parents and caregivers are asked to alert the Church Street School administrative team if their child is found to have lice after attending an in-person program or event at Church Street School.
One instrumental make-up lesson per year will be offered at the end of the spring semester in June for absences for which at least 24 hours’ notice was given.
All make-up lessons will take place from June 20th, 2026 - June 26th, 2026
Make-up classes are not offered for student absences in group classes.
Church Street School for Music and Art adheres to the New York City public school calendar and in case of inclement weather will follow school closure guidelines decided by the NYC school board. Church Street School cannot be held accountable for extreme weather or other unforeseen catastrophic events and will not be able to refund tuition for missed classes in the event of related school closures. Please note that per our policy, there are no make-ups for inclement weather days.
Dismissal
Students must be picked up promptly after their class or lesson ends and must be signed out from their class by a parent, guardian or authorized caregiver.
All parents who arrive late for pickup will automatically be charged a $15/hr late fee for afterschool care.
If a child has permission to walk home alone, the school must be notified and given written permission via the “Pick-up Authorization form.”
Students wishing to withdraw from their current registration at Church Street School must present a written request stating the date and reasons for the withdrawal.
Refunds (minus classes taken and the non-refundable registration fee) will be given up to the 4th week after beginning class. No refunds will be given after the 4th week.
Students withdrawing within the first 4 weeks of registration have an opportunity to convert their tuition to an in-house credit toward another class. Credits must be applied before the end of the fiscal year (August 31) in which they are issued. Credits can be applied toward the current semester, summer classes, prepaid tuition for future semesters, tickets for school events, or converted to a tax deductible donation.
Withdrawal requests for all programs and lessons submitted with less than 24 hours notice are not eligible for in-refunds or house credits.
Please note that no refunds will be given for missed classes.
Group classes, such as Creative Arts Club, are priced as a flat class fee rather than an hourly rate, and therefore cannot be prorated based on late arrivals or early departures.
If there is a gap of 15 minutes or less between a student’s scheduled programs, they may join Creative Arts Club during that time at no additional cost. This offers a safe, supervised, and creative space for students to relax or engage in art activities while they wait.
Prorated pricing is only available when a student enrolls in an additional lesson or class at CSSMA during the same semester that overlaps in time with the group class.
Tuition for all programs is prorated to reflect student's start date
Church Street School embraces diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.
By participating in classes or visiting Church Street School, you authorize the school to use photographs, video or other media of you or your child at any time in the future for publicity or marketing purposes. No compensation will be extended for such use.
The school reserves the right to exclude, or terminate the enrollment of any student at any time if in the judgment of the school, in its sole discretion, the student has not adjusted to and/or will not benefit from the program of the school; the student’s conduct, or attitude is undesirable according to the school’s mission; or the continued enrollment of the student in the school is or may be detrimental to the well-being of the student, other students or the school for any reason; neither the school nor any of its trustees, officers, or employees shall be liable in any way whatsoever for any such exclusion or termination of enrollment.
Students and families are not permitted to gift cash, monetary gifts, tips, or any form of direct payment to individual faculty members for private or group lessons, including lesson extensions or preferential scheduling.
All private or partner lesson schedule changes, including lesson extensions, must be arranged prior to the lesson and may not be made during or immediately before a lesson. Students and their families are instructed to contact the Registrar via email at info@churchstreetschool.org or by telephone at 212-571-7290 to coordinate any modifications. Schedule changes may not interfere with another student’s scheduled lesson.
In keeping with our mission of accessibility to the arts for all, CSSMA offers financial aid based on demonstrated economic need. Merit based scholarships are also available annually.
Visit our Scholarships & Financial Aid page for more information on how to apply.
Church Street School for Music and Art’s (CSSMA) policies comply with New York State and City guidelines and with CDC recommendations and follow the NYC Department of Education policies. This policy is subject to any changes made by the NYC Department of Education. All policies will apply to CSSMA programs, held at 41 White Street and at any off-site location. Additional policies may apply when programs are held in off-site locations.
ORGANIZATION-WIDE POLICIES:
All CSSMA employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before teaching or working in-person unless they have a medical exemption. In the case of a medical exemption, CSSMA requires the employee to produce a negative COVID test weekly.
Everyone is encouraged , but not required to wear a mask while in the school. Masks will be provided if needed.
Only Employees, registered program users and rental clients are allowed in the facility. No guests, drop-in users or non-pre-registered customers will be permitted into the facility. -Prospective students must be arranged by appointment -Vendor deliveries can be left just inside the facility without contact -If necessary, parent/caregiver limited to one per program participant for children under age 14 years.
FACILITY UPDATES:
Front desk has a new acrylic barrier to protect front desk staff while having conversations.
Lobby seating is spaced to easily adhere to social distancing guidelines.
New HVAC system filtration and cleaning. Our central air system has been fully serviced and we have installed new hospital grade filters. This system can be used throughout the year to improve overall air quality throughout the school.
Windows will also be opened to let in outside air whenever possible.
No-touch hand sanitizing stations are located in all lobby areas.
CLEANING:
Daily Cleaning Protocols:
Sweep, mop, vacuum and clean the space daily or more as needed.
Remove garbage and add new lining to cans daily or more as needed.
Supply a hand washing stations with soap, and paper towels or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol – check supplies throughout the day.
Clean common areas with guest access including bathrooms and entrances daily and additionally as needed.
Wipe railings with disinfecting spray prior to classes and between classes throughout the day.
Additional precautions we will take to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in addition to the standard cleaning protocol:
• Limit guest count based on state and local capacity guidelines: Ask parents to drop off and pick up at front door.
• Space out classes and rentals to allow for cleaning between activities
• Disinfect high touch surfaces and shared amenities such as light switches, door knobs and railings throughout the day.
• Properly clean pianos and other instruments between use with the appropriate supplies which will be provided in each classroom and teaching studio.
• Provide a hand sanitizer and disposable masks for guests and employees if needed.
• Capacity will be monitored at the front desk, and lobby areas are configured to adhere to social
COMMUNICATION:
CSSMA will provide a clear safety plan to our community accessible on our website and posted inside the school. This information will be updated regularly to reflect state and city guidelines.