POLICIES


Smith Street Workshop is committed to delivering consistent, high-quality academic instruction. The policies below are designed to protect instructional continuity, respect our tutors’ time, and ensure fairness for all enrolled families.

I. Private & Small Group Tutoring

Standard Cancellation Policy

We maintain a 24-hour cancellation policy for all private and small-group tutoring sessions. If your student cannot attend a scheduled session, at least 24 hours’ notice is required to avoid being charged the full session fee.

This policy ensures that we can respect our tutors’ time and maintain consistent scheduling for all families.

Inclement Weather

In cases of significant inclement weather, Smith Street Workshop follows NYC DOE school closure determinations. If NYC DOE schools are closed due to weather, our tutoring center will close for in-person instruction.

On days when NYC DOE schools are closed due to severe weather, families may:

  • Switch to a virtual session at the scheduled time, or

  • Cancel the session without penalty, provided at least 3 hours’ notice is given.

This modified 3-hour notice period applies only when NYC DOE schools are officially closed due to weather. In all other circumstances, our standard 24-hour cancellation policy remains in effect.

Weather-related cancellations made in accordance with this policy do not count toward the consistent cancellation threshold below.

Consistent Cancellations

We understand that occasional conflicts arise and strive to be reasonable within our cancellation policy. However, frequent cancellations — defined as more than two cancellations within a four-week period — may result in the reserved session time being offered to another student.

Frequent cancellations affect our tutors’ schedules, income stability, and availability for other families.

Cancellations due to scheduled school breaks (such as winter recess or spring break) do not count toward this policy, as these are expected pauses in tutoring. Students remain enrolled during school breaks unless otherwise discussed, and their regular schedule will resume afterward.

If cancellations become frequent outside of scheduled school breaks, we may recommend adjusting the tutoring schedule or transitioning to a more flexible, as-needed arrangement.

II. Group Classes

Inclement Weather & Schedule Adjustments

Smith Street Workshop follows NYC DOE school closure determinations in cases of inclement weather. If NYC DOE schools are closed, our tutoring center will close for in-person instruction.

If weather or other unforeseen circumstances affect a scheduled class, we will take reasonable steps to preserve instructional continuity. Depending on the situation, this may include:

  • Moving the class to a virtual format,

  • Scheduling an in-person makeup session,

  • Adjusting the course calendar to ensure all instructional hours are delivered, or

  • Providing a qualified substitute instructor if the scheduled instructor is unavailable.

Families will be notified promptly of any changes to the class schedule or format, including cancellations, rescheduling, or a shift to virtual instruction.

Course Continuity & Tuition

Group classes are structured academic programs designed to deliver a fixed number of instructional hours. Tuition reserves a student’s seat in a limited-enrollment class and covers the full course curriculum, rather than individual sessions.

If a session must be adjusted due to weather, facility issues, instructor illness, or other circumstances beyond our control, we will take reasonable steps to ensure the full instructional value of the program is delivered through virtual sessions, substitute instructors, makeup classes, or schedule adjustments.

Because tuition covers the complete course and reserved seat in the class, tuition is not prorated or refunded for sessions that are rescheduled as part of delivering the full program — even if a student is unable to attend the rescheduled date.

In the rare event that neither a virtual option, substitute instructor, nor makeup session can reasonably be arranged, the affected session may be canceled without proration.

Cancellations initiated by Smith Street Workshop are uncommon. We remain committed to maintaining the integrity and consistency of our academic programs.

Drop Off/ Pick Up Policy

Due to space limitations and to minimize noise levels in the main tutoring area, our indoor waiting area is closed to parents and caregivers at this time. Please ring the bell and we’ll either let your child in or a member of the SSW team will come to the door to bring your child upstairs. If you arrive early for drop-off or pick up, please wait on the sidewalk until the session start or end time. 

Payment

Payment for each tutoring session is due the day of the scheduled session via automatic debit through Teachworks, our online platform used for scheduling, parent communications and billing. All clients need to have a valid credit card on file that will be debited before each session.

Providing your credit card information into our system authorizes Smith Street Workshop to charge your credit card for the sessions attended. Please remember that we have a 24 hour cancellation policy, so be sure to let us know well in advance if you need to reschedule to avoid a session charge.

Student Expectations

At Smith Street Workshop, our priority is to help our students succeed. With that in mind, students have certain responsibilities in this partnership.

1. Families commit to clearly communicating with their Tutor in identifying problem areas in which the Student needs specific tutoring.

2. The Student agrees to be prepared for every session by having all materials ready and available for review.

Parent/ Caregiver Expectations

Parents and caregivers can help set the tone of the tutoring sessions by being responsible for the following:

1. The parent/caregiver is responsible for the student’s conduct and character during the tutoring sessions including promptness, respectful behavior, and staying on task

2. The parent/caregiver is responsible for initiating any communication with Smith Street Workshop as necessary

3. The parent/caregiver is responsible for getting the student to the session on time and for picking up the student promptly

Using Teachworks

Teachworks is our main platform for billing, scheduling and communicating with tutors. It is the client’s responsibility to make sure that their billing information is up to date, and that their student’s tutoring schedule is accurate. Smith Street Workshop will charge a 5% fee to those families who have an invalid payment method in their Teachworks account.

Scheduling

The parent/ Caregiver can access their child’s schedule directly on Teachworks and it is the client’s responsibility to check and make sure that lesson dates and times have been properly noted in their family’s Teachworks account. Any new requests or changes can be made via email to info@smithstreetworkshop.com or directly on Teachworks.

No Guarantees or Warranties

While it is our mission to provide the best educational services possible, clients understand that Smith Street Workshop does not guarantee any specific outcomes as a result of tutoring or test prep classes. Success depends on multiple factors, including the student’s effort, commitment to working between tutoring sessions/classes, and their level of foundational knowledge at the start of the test prep process.

Non-Circumvention Policy:

Smith Street Workshop has been part of the Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn community for several years and we believe in cultivating a friendly and professional relationship with each of our clients.

Thank you to all who have supported this business and allowed it to thrive throughout the years. It is important to the integrity and financial viability of our business that tutors and parents not establish side agreements. All tutors sign an agreement that they will not tutor your child through any other entity than Smith Street Workshop and will be terminated if they do not comply.

Accordingly, you hereby agree not to pay any other party than Smith Street Workshop, including the tutor, for any services rendered by your tutor.