Mason Community Arts Academy

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration

When does registration open for Summer programs?  

We will have registration open for summer programs by late January.

Registration for Orff and Kodály Teacher Training Programs can be found here, including Levels and Supplemental courses.

All  programs will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Program registration will close the Thursday before the start of the camp week at noon in most cases. To register for a program, click here.

What if the program I am interested in is full?  

We encourage you to register for the waitlist free of charge. We will notify you immediately if a space becomes available. Payment will be due at that time. Due to safety restrictions, space is extremely limited in each in-person summer program. We encourage you to register early to secure the spot.

Can I register my child to a program that’s above their age?  

Depending on the program, and with instructor/director approval, we periodically admit students to programs that are above their age range. For questions about age overrides, please contact the Academy via email at academy@gmu.edu.

Can I change my program after registration?  

Yes. You may transfer to a different program if space is available. You will also pay the difference or be refunded based on the tuition cost. To transfer your registration, please submit your request via email to academy@gmu.edu.

Am I able to stay and observe my child’s camp programming?  

The safety and security of our students is our top priority. In compliance with University Risk Management policies and procedures for programs with minors, we are unable to allow unauthorized adults to observe or attend camp programming outside of scheduled final sharings. Families are welcome to remain on campus for the duration of the program until check-out and would be responsible for incurred parking fees.

What if my child is unable to attend a program I registered them for, what can I do?  

If your child is unable to attend a program, please consider transferring to a different program. You will pay the difference or be refunded based on the tuition cost. To transfer your registration, please submit your request via email to academy@gmu.edu.

If you want to withdraw from a program, please submit your written notice via email to academy@gmu.edu.

  • 100% Refund (minus a $50 cancellation fee)—If you withdraw from a program no later than two weeks before the program start date.
  • No refund—If you withdraw from a program within two weeks of the program start date or after the program start date.
  • Exception: you may receive a full refund (minus a $50 cancellation fee) with valid medical documentation.
If an in-person program pivots to an online platform, can I withdraw?  

Yes. We will announce the change in advance to allow families to plan accordingly. All withdrawals from summer programming will be subject to our refund/withdrawal policy.

If you want to withdraw from a program, please submit your written notice via email to academy@gmu.edu.

  • 100% Refund (minus a $50 cancellation fee)—If you withdraw from a program no later than two weeks before the program start date.
  • No refund—If you withdraw from a program within two weeks of the program start date or after the program start date.
  • Exception: you may receive a full refund (minus a $50 cancellation fee) with valid medical documentation.

Curriculum

For programs which are held online, how many hours a day will students be online?*  

Each program offers a unique learning experience. Our experienced faculty create curricula based on students’ age and developmental stages to ensure the most meaningful education. Our online programs provide a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods. Students will spend their day with a combination of live-streamed sessions and independent work time with faculty check-ins.

For students ages 5-12: Live-streamed classes will be divided into 2-4 short sessions that vary by programs. Each live-streamed session is generally about 30-45 minutes. Depending on the program, one-on-one coaching sessions may be included. Please visit the individual program page for details, including daily schedule and technology requirements.

For students ages 13-18: There will be 2-5 live-streamed sessions, and each session generally runs from 45-90 minutes with additional one-on-one coaching sessions. Please visit the individual program page for details, including daily schedule and technology requirements.

*Click HERE for AFYP Acting Program Curriculum FAQs.

What are some of the advantages of attending online programs?

Communication—Many students are more comfortable engaging in meaningful conversations online than in a classroom. As the nature of online programs have limited non-verbal communication, students must pay close attention to verbal communication, which can improve their language development, listening skills, and comprehension.

Personalized Learning—Our online programs blend live-streamed class with individualized or group learning and supplemental resources, such as videos, reading materials, and one-on-one coaching. Students will gain meaningful experience through various learning styles.

Is online learning as effective as face-to-face instruction?  

Online education provides students more opportunities to have control over their learning styles and study pace. By the successful completion of online learning, students can improve their self-study skills and become active learners and problem-solvers for more independent learning.

How do I know if an online program is right for my child?  

To ensure the program is a good fit for your child, we encourage you to read through the program details, including program description, daily schedule, age range, and program and technology requirements.

Online Program Technology

 Online Platform:  Zoom  |  Blackboard

What are the technology requirements for online programs?  

All online programs require students to have, at a minimum: high-speed internet access, a computer/tablet/smart phone with a built-in camera and microphone capable of running the video conferencing tool each program requires. Additional software may apply to some programs. Please visit the program webpage for technology requirements. For best performance, here are our recommended technical requirements:

Operating Systems
macOS 10.13 or newer
Windows 10
Chrome OS
Apple iOS and Android

Computer Speed and Processor
Use a Mac five years old or newer, or other devices three years old or newer, if possible.
4 GB of RAM
2 GHz processor

Internet Speed
Minimum of 1.5 Mbps download and 800 Kbps upload

What are Academy’s online program guidelines?  

Our goal is to always create a positive, engaging learning environment for our students. To achieve this goal, our instructors will closely monitor each student’s learning progress with guidance, constructive feedback, and individual check-ins.

We will have a Virtual Class Assistant for every program to troubleshoot on-site technology issues, to monitor the security of the classroom, and to manage any disruptive behavior that hinders the progress of a class. We strongly encourage our parents to have a conversation with their children about online courtesy before attending the program.

What if my child missed a live-streamed session due to technical difficulty?  

We strongly encourage you to review the program and technology requirements prior to registration. Select programs may choose to record their live sessions for students to review as needed or at a later date. This is not guaranteed. For best performance, here are our recommended technical requirements:

Operating Systems
macOS 10.13 or newer
Windows 10
Chrome OS
Apple iOS and Android

Computer Speed and Processor
Use a Mac five years old or newer, or other devices three years old or newer, if possible.
4 GB of RAM
2 GHz processor

Internet Speed
Minimum of 1.5 Mbps download and 800 Kbps upload