Updates: Looking Ahead to the Next Year at Church Street School for Music & Art

Dear Church Street School Students and Families, 

As the school year ends and we begin planning for Fall 2026, we want to take a moment to share important updates from Church Street School for Music & Art and to thank you for being such an essential part of our community. 

Church Street School has always been more than a place for lessons. It is a gathering space where children, teens, and adults discover their voices, build confidence, take creative risks, and grow through music and art together. Everything we do is rooted in that belief, and in our commitment to keeping the arts accessible, joyful, and human. 

As you may have already noticed, tuition rates have been adjusted for the upcoming school year. This was a thoughtful and carefully considered decision. Like many in New York City, our families are navigating a rising cost of living. At the same time, we are committed to ensuring that our teaching artists, who bring extraordinary care, skill, and dedication to our students every day, are supported with cost-of-living increases that reflect their essential role in our community. These changes also help us continue expanding what we can offer: more low- and no-cost programming, more community events, and a stronger foundation to sustain our mission in an increasingly challenging economic landscape. 

Even with these changes, accessibility remains at the heart of our work. This past year, CSSMA provided over $158,000 in scholarship support, reaching 32% of our student body. We are proud of this, and even more committed to growing this support in the year ahead. To make the process clearer and more accessible for families, we have launched a new Financial Aid Hub on our website, where applications, policies, requirements, and scholarship information are now centralized. 

Looking ahead, we are also excited to expand weekend programming this fall. These additions include new Saturday Explore! classes, more weekend private lesson availability, and new opportunities for students of all ages to engage creatively outside the weekday schedule. We are especially excited to introduce Band Jamboree, a monthly community gathering where musicians can come together, explore the work of iconic artists and groups, and learn directly from our faculty in a welcoming, collaborative environment. 

We are also proud to share that Church Street School is expanding its partnership with local public schools. Beginning this fall, CSSMA will serve as the after-school music provider for PS 234. Through this partnership, faculty member Josh Hunton will lead a new after school orchestra program for all 4th and 5th grade students. Guided by Executive Director Dr. Christina Placilla and Director of Programs Dr. Tereza Lee, this initiative reflects a shared belief in the power of ensemble music to build not only skill, but empathy, discipline, and community. At its core, this program is about belonging — about every child having a place in the music. 

If you would like to support this work, we welcome gifts of any size with immense gratitude. Donations are tax-deductible and may include cash, stock, cryptocurrency, or the option to donate unused registration or scholarship funds back to the school. As a nonprofit with limited external funding, we rely on the generosity of our community to keep this work alive and accessible to all. 

Thank you for being part of Church Street School. Your presence is what makes this place meaningful. We look forward to another year of creating, learning, and growing together. Registration for Fall 2026 is now open, and a 10% early registration scholarship will be available through June 7. 

To learn more, visit churchstreetschool.org/programs or contact info@churchstreetschool.org. 

With gratitude, 

The Church Street School for Music & Art Administration Team