Add/Drop Policy

If a student wishes to change private teachers, the student must request a change with the Dean of the Precollege Division, and fill out the Change of Teacher Request Form, no later than the third Saturday of a semester. After that, teacher changes may take place only at the end of the semester. No student, or parent of student, is permitted to contact a private teacher (other than the one to whom the student has been assigned) without the consent of the Dean of the Precollege Division. Changes in theory and ear training classes may take place only at the recommendation of the class teacher or the director. Except under extraordinary circumstances, changes in classes may not be made after the third Saturday of the semester.

Attendance

Students enrolled in the Precollege Division are making a commitment to regular Saturday attendance at lessons, classes, rehearsals, and concerts, in the interest of a quality, continuous musical education. Students are expected to resolve other Saturday conflicts so as not to interfere with their attendance at Manhattan School of Music. If any student anticipates numerous absences in a given semester, he or she should feel free to talk to the director about the situation.

• Students are permitted four (4) absences per semester before they are subject to reevaluation. Any absence may affect a student's grade. Absences beyond the four will affect a student’s grade and/or placement in the program. Missing one or more classes on a given Saturday will result in a full day's absence, unless the Precollege office is notified at least one week in advance. If advance notice is received, one class missed will be considered a half absence.
  
• The School, private teacher, and/or orchestra conductor should be notified of absences at least a week in advance, or in the case of unanticipated circumstances before 9:00 a.m. of the Saturday in question. The absentee list is printed at 9:00 a.m., and a revised list is available the following Saturday. The student is responsible for contacting his or her private teacher, orchestra conductor, and chamber music teacher directly about an absence.
  
• Absences beyond four (4) may affect a student’s placement in the program; eligibility for financial aid; scholarship; and entrance into the concerto competitions.

Please inform us of any absences not listed on the absentee list via email. It is important that we have your help and cooperation in this matter so that all absences are identified and dealt with in a fair and timely matter.

IDs

Upon full tuition payment each semester, students are issued a photo ID. This card must be carried at all times and is a requirement for entrance into the School. If a student arrives without his or her ID, a temporary student pass will be issued for $1. If a student has lost his or her student ID, a replacement ID can be issued at a cost of $40.

Make-up Lesson Policy

Lessons missed by the student are rescheduled at the discretion of the teacher. Absences will be considered for make-up lessons only if the private teacher is notified 24 hours in advance. Lessons will be made up at the teacher’s convenience. Lessons missed due to a teacher’s absence will be rescheduled by the teacher. If a student misses a make-up lesson, the teacher is not required to reschedule the lesson. No classes or ensembles will be made up.

Practice Room Policy

Students may request a practice room by e-mailing the Precollege office one week in advance of and no later than Friday at 3:00 p.m. before the given Saturday. No practice room requests may be made or scheduled on Saturdays.

Private Lesson/Jury Examination Grading

If a student receives a grade between C+ and D- for private lessons or a jury examination, the director and private teacher will meet to discuss the general quality of applied work. If it is agreed that the jury grade is not representative of the student’s work, probation will not result, but the grade will remain on the student’s transcript. If probation results, it will be for one semester. The student is then reevaluated through a jury examination at the conclusion of the following semester. If the student receives a B- or higher, he or she is taken off probation; if the grade remains between C+ and D-, probation continues until the jury examination at the conclusion of the following semester. If the quality of work has not improved by that time, the student will be dismissed.

Students who receive a failing grade for private lessons or jury examination are immediately dismissed from the Precollege Division.

To download the Precollege Division Jury Requirements, click here.

Report Cards and Transcripts

A report card is issued to each student at the end of every semester. A complete transcript of each student’s grades is maintained on file in the Precollege Division office. The office will honor requests for transcripts to be sent to colleges for admissions. There is a $5 transcript fee. The request a transcript, please read the Transcript Request information on our Current Student Info page.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students are expected to maintain good academic progress throughout their Precollege studies. Good academic standing includes a grade of at least B- in their primary instrument, performance ensemble, and jury examination, and grades of C or better in all other subjects. If a student fails to meet the requirements for good standing, his or her record will be brought under review by the Academic Progress Committee.

Probation: In reviewing student records, the School may place a student on probation. Reasons for probation include: failure to meet the year-level requirement; repeated absences, incompletes and/or failing grades; or a consistent pattern of low grades, including a low or failing jury examination grade. Students placed on probation become ineligible for scholarship assistance.
At the conclusion of each semester, the records of all students on probation will be reviewed again by the Academic Progress Committee. If satisfactory progress has not been made, the School may take further action, which could include a forced leave of absence or dismissal.

Dismissal: Grounds for dismissal include unsatisfactory academic and/or musical progress, any form of cheating and/or plagiarism or falsification of academic information, or violation of School policies.

Students dismissed at the conclusion of the spring semester are ineligible to attend the Precollege Division during the following academic year; students dismissed at the conclusion of the fall semester are ineligible to attend the School for three consecutive semesters. Information regarding reapplication to the Precollege Division is available at www.msmnyc.edu/precollege/admission.

Scholarship

A Precollege Division student must maintain a B average, a minimum of B in private lessons and jury examinations, and a minimum of C+ in all other classes in order to retain his or her scholarship for the following year. No scholarship award is guaranteed from year to year. All Precollege Division students who would like to be considered for financial aid need to submit the Financial Aid Form, along with the tax forms for the previous year, by May 1 of every year.

A graduating senior who receives an “F” in any class will not be permitted to take part in the graduation ceremony. As well, that student will not receive a graduation certificate.

School Closings

In the event of severe weather or other emergencies that warrant it, the Precollege Division may suspend instruction. Such decisions are necessarily made on short notice. However, please be aware that the Precollege Division rarely closes. Announcements of closings are made on radio station WINS (1010 AM).