Community Music School (CMS) is a nonprofit whose mission is to enrich and inspire children and youth through access to and delivery of high-quality music instruction. Since its founding in 1994, CMS has offered music lessons for $1 per lesson while still paying our wonderful teachers a competitive salary. CMS has relied heavily on external funding, and tuition has made up only ~3% of its overall budget. However, the market rate for music lessons has steadily increased to $35 per lesson (or more) and long-term financial sustainability challenges have made it clear that maintaining tuition at $1 per lesson is no longer possible.
Therefore, we are adjusting our tuition pricing to ensure that we can continue serving our community for years to come. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, we are rolling out new tuition rates as a pilot to all new CMS families. Current CMS families will continue to pay $1 per lesson for the 2026-2027 school year during this pilot phase.
New rates
CMS’s new standard tuition rate is $10 per lesson. CMS also offers a Community Rate ($5 per lesson). For those who have the financial means to do so and would like to support CMS’s mission to enrich and inspire children and youth through access to and delivery of high-quality music instruction, CMS also offers the Supporter Rate ($35 per lesson). If you are enrolling more than 2 students, please reach out to Director of First Impressions Adriana Arvelo aarvelo@cmsraleigh.org or call 919-832-0900 to discuss a family discount.
The new tuition rates were created based on feedback from family surveys, a dedicated task force of family members, alumni, faculty, and board members as well as based on financial modeling created by trusted consultants. The new tuition rates support CMS’s mission and ensure long-term sustainability of CMS. We are piloting these rates during the 2026-2027 school year with new CMS families, and the CMS staff and board are monitoring the impact of these changes.
We encourage you to choose a rate that aligns with your financial situation. Admission is first-come, first-served though returning students always get priority. No family who is paying the Supporter Rate will be prioritized over a family paying the Community or Standard Rate. CMS remains committed to affordability, and no student will be turned away due to inability to pay. Please contact Director of First Impressions Adriana Arvelo aarvelo@cmsraleigh.org or call 919-832-0900, and we will work with you on a tuition plan.
Frequently Asked Questions are below.
To start the application process, see if your student is eligible by taking this eligibility quiz:
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know which rate is right for my family? We encourage you to choose a rate that aligns best with your financial situation. We are happy to discuss this with you as well.
- Will choosing the Community Rate affect my child's placement, scheduling, or instructor options? No. The student’s tuition rate does NOT impact placement, scheduling, or instructor options.
- What is the payment schedule for the tuition rates? Tuition is due on the 15th of each month starting August 15 through April 15:
- Standard rate: $40 per month ($320 per year)
- Community rate: $20 per month ($160 per year)
- Supporter rate: $140 per month ($1,120 per year)
- I have a current child enrolled at CMS and want to enroll another new student. What is the tuition fee? The new tuition rates will roll out to NEW families of CMS starting in the 2026-2027 school year. All current families will continue to pay $1 per lesson until the 2027-2028 school year.
- The supporter rate is much higher than the sustainer standard and community rates. Why is that? The Supporter Rate reflects the full market value of music lessons, and for families with the means to do so, it directly helps CMS extend access to more students.
- What if my financial situation changes and I can’t pay the same rate next year? If your family cannot afford the Standard Rate, you can pay the Community Rate of $5. CMS remains committed to affordability, and no student will be turned away due to inability to pay. If you would like to discuss the tuition rates, please contact Director of First Impressions Adriana Arvelo aarvelo@cmsraleigh.org or call 919-832-0900.
- What if my financial situation improves, and I am able to pay more than the Standard Rate? Will I have to leave CMS? No, our intention is for students to stay with CMS until they are 18. We encourage you to select the Supporter Rate of $35 per lesson to help support CMS’s mission and long-term sustainability.
- Are refunds given if we have to leave CMS? Enrollment is a full-year commitment, so refunds are not available. However, if a student needs to leave mid-year, monthly payments will simply stop after the current billing cycle.
- Can I change my rate tier mid-year if my financial situation changes? If your financial situation changes, please contact Director of First Impressions Adriana Arvelo aarvelo@cmsraleigh.org or call 919-832-0900.
- Does the tuition rate apply if I have more than one student taking lessons? If you have two students taking lessons, the tuition rates apply. If you are enrolling more than 2 students, please reach out to Director of First Impressions Adriana Arvelo aarvelo@cmsraleigh.org or call 919-832-0900 to discuss a family discount.
Information to Review Before Applying
- All new and returning students must apply during the annual enrollment period, which closes June 30, or earlier if we reach capacity. Complete the eligibility quiz above to begin the application process.
- Space is limited, and we are unable to accept all applicants.
- Applicants must be 8 years old by September 1st of the school year for which they are applying.
- Music lessons are once per week on an academic calendar for at least 32 weeks and students are expected to attend each and every week, with a fall semester from September to December, and a spring semester from January to May. 2026-2027 classes will begin Monday, August 31, 2026
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For our youngest students: If your child is in 3rd grade at the start of the school year, the child will be enrolled in an Explorations 1 group class for the year, exploring new instruments every 8 weeks. If your child SUCCESSFULLY completed the Explorations 1 class in the prior year, then your child will go to Explorations 2 where they will learn ukulele for one semester and piano the second semester. If your child SUCCESSFULLY completed the Explorations 2 class last year, the child will be placed in one on one or small group instruction on the instrument of their choice. ALL other ages are placed in one on one lessons.
- Families must have access to email and check it regularly in order to participate in our program.
- We expect students to attend every class/lesson as scheduled August-May and make time for at-home practice, as required by their teacher. Students must also participate in community performances and recitals.
- New applicants who do not receive a placement with CMS in the fall will be added to our waiting list. This list will be used to fill any mid-year vacancies.
- Information regarding the status of applications will be communicated via email by late July /early August.
- PLEASE NOTE: Students who are enrolled in CMS classes will have until August 15 to make their first tuition payment. Credit card payments may be made by logging into your Parent Portal. Failure to make your payment by the deadline may forfeit your spot at CMS.
- Once you have made your instrument choices and submitted your registration form, the Director of Music Education will place your child in the appropriate program based on your child’s age and musical experience. Some programs have minimum and maximum numbers of students.
- While we always try to assign students to exactly what they would like, for a variety of reasons, that is not always possible. We will do our very best to place your child with an instrument and a teacher, in a program that will make your child happy!
- Absence Policy: Classes missed by individual students will not be made up. In the event of an absence, please notify your student's teacher as far in advance as possible. Students may be dismissed from CMS for lack of attendance.
- CMS reserves the right to cancel a student’s assignment if the student fails to make progress, attend on a regular basis, or any other reason.
- Weather Closings: CMS follows the Wake County Public School inclement weather policy/procedures for full-day cancellations, early dismissal, and canceled after-school activities. Please check https://www.facebook.com/cmsraleigh/ to confirm a cancellation.
We thank you for your interest in our programs! Please contact Adriana Arvelo aarvelo@cmsraleigh.org with any questions about your Parent Portal application.