Jason,

I can't tell from your question if your school is currently providing private
(or mostly private) lessons during school. If that is what is happening, $250
is a deal, and parents should be happy. If they don't like paying the extra,
then you could offer them the option of scheduling their own private lessons
outside school time (Around here that can easily get over $1000 in a school
year). On the other hand, if what is being offered is just the class time, then
it seems like it would be hard to charge parents for that teacher when no extra
fee is imposed for a handwork or german teacher.

In Saratoga children do have to play an instrument, and they are encouraged to
take lessons after school. During school, twice a week, we have separate
winds/strings classes in 5th grade. Most of the students have private or small
group lessons in addition. 6-8th grades are in the orchestra. Not all students
continue to take lessons through 8th grade (it shows). Once the students reach
a certain level of competence they can get by without lessons if they do some
practicing at home. Having said that, push for the lessons to continue if
possible! At the HS level, students are encourage to continue on, but it is
possible to opt out if one is persistent.

Jan Zemba

Jan Zemba