About HSA

The Harlem School of the Arts, Inc. (HSA) is a not-for-profit arts institution that serves over 3,000 students annually in four core artistic disciplines: dance, music, theater and the visual arts. HSA is currently governed by 8 active board members and has more than 150 full- and part-time staff. The faculty is comprised of arts professionals who possess extensive performing and exhibition credentials, and expertise in motivating and encouraging students to challenge themselves and fully develop their talents.

The Harlem School of the Arts’ mission is to enrich the
lives of youth and their families in the Harlem community
and beyond, through training in and exposure to the arts.

HSA’s programs recognize both the intrinsic value of the
arts in everyday life, and the ways in which arts education
enhances academic achievement by developing selfconfidence,
discipline and learning skills in young adults.

The organization has a long-standing history of training young artists from African-American and Latino communities throughout New York City. It is the only community-based arts institution in the greater metropolitan area that provides comprehensive programs and services in visual arts, dance, theatre and music that are tailored to communities of color. It is also one of the few institutions in the nation that offers a pre-collegiate artistic training program, College Prep, for youth ages 12 to 18 through a graduated curriculum that prepares students interested in continuing their arts training, as well as those pursuing other career paths. HSA is committed to meeting the challenges of the 21st century by expanding its programs to ensure that HSA students have access to cutting edge technology in today's information-driven global society.

General Information

Admission: The Harlem School of the Arts has an open door admission
policy and the School’s standards are applied equally to all students.

Classes: Most classes run for 14 weeks. However, all HSA programs
continue throughout the year, and Fall semester students are encouraged to continue their studies in the Spring semester as HSA courses are designed as year-long programs of study.

Registration: Registration must be completed in person at the School on
the designated dates. Applicants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to sign the student’s registration forms. At the time of registration, parents and students will meet with the
appropriate program assistants and department directors to plan the student’s curriculum. An audition or portfolio review will be scheduled during this session, if necessary. Final class placement will take place prior to the first day of class. Do not overbook your child’s schedule.

Equipment: HSA encourages students to purchase their own instruments and cameras. String, wind and brass instruments are available for a rental fee of $150 ($25 refundable deposit included) for the year. Students who
cancel classes will be assessed $80 for rental if the withdrawal occurs before the end of the semester. Students are fully responsible for repair or replacement of damaged equipment during their rental period. Students may rent from outside sources.

Payment Deadlines: All fees and 50% tuition are due at registration. This
deadline includes financial aid and work-study students. No one may attend classes until they are registered and have paid at least half of the total tuition and all material and costume fees.

Forms of Payment: HSA accepts cash, checks, money orders, MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover Card. A $45 fee will be charged for all returned checks.

Financial Aid: Students registering for the Fall semester who are applying
for financial aid should pick up a financial aid form from the Registrar (Room 101) in advance of registration. Financial aid forms for Fall and full year are available and must be submitted by August 15, 2007. No discounts may be combined with scholarships or financial aid. Please visit the webpage on Financial Aid for more information and to download the forms.

Cancellation: The Harlem School of the Arts reserves the right to cancel
any course due to low registration.

Add/Drop Policy: All students are allowed to add or drop one class free of charge. A $10 fee will be charged per class for any additional classes that are dropped or added.

Withdrawal and Refund Policy: To withdraw from a registered course, a student or parent must notify the Registrar in writing by filling out an Add/Drop form. Requests cannot be made over the telephone or through an instructor. Failure to complete a course or lack of attendance does not constitute withdrawal. If written notice of withdrawal from a course is received by the Registrar prior to the first session of that course, the student will receive a 100% refund of the course tuition. Materials and
costume fees are non-refundable. Students who withdraw after the beginning of a course will be refunded on a prorated basis. No refunds will be made after 30 calendar days from the first day of classes. Refunds are by check only.

Photography Policy: HSA reserves the right to photograph or videotape
registered students in classes, at events and during performances for documentation and promotion in brochures, catalogs and on the HSA website. Please notify the Director of Marketing and Communications in writing if you do not want your child photographed.

Visitors: Guests may observe any HSA class at the discretion of the instructor, as long as they are accompanied by a member of the HSA staff.

The Harlem School of the Arts is funded, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City Council, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, The Carnegie Corporation, The After-School Corporation, Altman Foundation, Jean and Louis Dreyfus Foundation, United Jewish Appeal and other corporate, foundation and individual partners. HSA is a member of the National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts.