Education Policies

No. Students are not required to be members in order to take a class. However, membership entitles you to the following benefits:

• Full access to our Library and Culturethèque
• Exclusive, members-only events
• Preferred rates for all our cultural events

No. You do not have to be a member to take private lessons.

Refunds are not issued except in the case of class cancellation by the Education Department due to low enrollment (minimum enrollment is three students per class). If a class closes due to low enrollment, our administrator will contact you two days prior to the first course to offer several options. No course changes will be permitted after the first full week of classes. Make-up classes (for both adults and children) are not permitted in any circumstances. For more details on our class cancellation policies, please see below:

Adults

• A class with 3 or more students enrolled will open for the full 5, 10 or 11 weeks.
• A core language class with less than 3 students will be cancelled. Students will be offered either to take the class as a semi-private lesson (at the semi-private lesson rate) or to switch into another course.

Children

• A class with 3 children enrolled will open for the full 5 or 10 weeks.
• A class with less than 3 children enrolled will be cancelled.

New or returning students may take a trial class for $30. Books are non-refundable once they’ve been sent or purchased at Reception. Please contact the Education Department at 617.912.0415 for advice and options.

For private lessons, students must notify the department as well as the teacher at least 24 hours in advance to cancel a lesson. Students will be charged the full fee for lessons cancelled less than 24 hours in advance.

Textbooks may be purchased online or over the phone with the Education Department or the Receptionist and will be mailed to your house as long as we offer remote classes. We suggest that you purchase your books in advance so that you may familiarize yourself with the learning materials before the class begins. Books are non-refundable once the mailing order has been sent. Digital textbooks are non-refundable once the code has been sent to you. Purchased lessons and credits are valid for seven years.

Books are not required to be purchased for Summer in French. For other books and materials for themed courses and classes for children and teens, contact the Education Department at 617.912.0415.