A studio policy is essential. It sets expectations for both you and your students. It acts as an authority you can reference when conflict arises between you and a student/parent. It can protect you in certain legal matters. And most importantly, it helps you the teacher decide how you really want your studio to run.
The first step in writing a studio policy is to read one. The following was my 2014-2015 studio policy. You are welcome to use any wording from it in your own policy.
VandagriffMusicPolicies2014-2015
I run a fairly strict studio. I do charge that late fee for late payments. I do stick to my makeup lesson policy. If you don’t feel like you want to be that hardcore, then decide what you want in your studio and write your policy accordingly. I decided that for 2015-2016 I no longer want to accept credit card payments. I started taking Venmo for 2018-2019.
Now that you have a template for your own policy, what are you still lacking? This list (and the linked posts) can help you think through some of the more perplexing aspects of writing your policy:
- Do I charge per lesson or charge a monthly tuition rate?
- How will I collect payment?
- Do I want to accept bartering arrangements?
- What will I do about makeup lessons?
- What should I do about sick students?
- How will I write down the student’s assignment? In a notebook? On a special assignment sheet?
- Will I include theory as part of my curriculum?
- Do I want students to do any computer lab time as part of their weekly lesson?
- Who will buy books and materials? Me or the student?
- Do I want to maintain a lending library for students to use?
- Do I really need recitals?
- How do I plan a recital?
- Do I want to teach group lessons?
- Do I want to teach reed making?
- Should I include a release to allow me to use photos and/or audio/video recordings of students under age 18?
Don’t get overwhelmed. You don’t have to include any of those things if you don’t want to. I write a bassoon teaching blog. I try to be thorough. Just take the ideas that speak to you and leave the rest.
Start somewhere! Any policy is better than no policy. If you have specific questions about your policy, leave them in the comments below. I’d love to help.