Shostakovich School logo SHOSTAKOVICH School of Music · Art · Dance

School year at a glance

Academic Calendar

How our school year is organized: three tuition sessions, two recital seasons, break camps, and the monthly dates every family should know.


The school year

Tuition sessions run September to June, and the school and Day Care stay open through the summer.

  1. September

    A new school year begins

    • Registration and re-registration, with the annual $75 registration fee
    • Yearly recital fee and first costume deposits are due
    • Session 1 tuition is due by the first class
  2. September – November

    Session 1

    Group classes and private lessons for the fall term. Up to 2 make-up classes per session.

  3. December – February

    Session 2 · Winter recitals

    • Winter recitals: every student performs at our school concerts
    • New Year celebration
    • Honors concerts: in past years at Steinway Hall in December
    • Winter Break Camp for Day Care children
  4. March – June

    Session 3 · Spring and summer concerts

    • Spring Break Camp for Day Care children
    • Spring and end-of-year concerts: in past years in April, May and June, at Steinway Hall and Symphony Space
    • Summer recital to close the year
  5. Summer

    Summer classes & camp

    Summer classes (a signed registration is required before they start) and Summer Break Camp. The Day Care is open year-round, 7:30 AM – 6:00 PM.


Every month

Key dates for tuition and attendance.

First class of the monthMonthly tuition is due (or the session payment, at the start of each session).
After the 5thA 5% late fee is added.
After the 10thThe late fee rises to 10%.
After the 15thThe late fee rises to 15%. Two weeks overdue: no class until paid.

Holidays, closings & recital dates

Exact dates for each year’s recitals, holiday closings and schedule changes are posted on our Announcements page, on the school bulletin boards and on Facebook.

  • Weather: if severe weather cancels classes, we email families and post on Facebook. We don’t close automatically when public schools do.
  • Missed classes: lessons cancelled by a teacher are made up; weather cancellations are not.
  • Annual renewal: returning students submit an updated registration every year.

Joining during the year?

You can start at any time. Call us or send a message and we will find a class with space and explain your first payment.

A $75 registration fee applies to all new enrollments