The best place to start is with the Writing Symphony Grade Level Courses as they are the foundation of our methodology. However, our Skill-Focused Academic Camps can be taken when offered prior to a module or between grade level courses. Academic Camps focus on lessons that enrich all aspects of a student’s writing.
If your student is new to Writing Symphony, we recommend enrolling in our Level Courses based on their current grade level: Tempo (Grade 1), Harmony (Grade 2), Largo (Grade 3), Forte (Grade 4), Echo (Grades 5), Allegro (Grade 6), Andante (Grade 7), and Overture (Grade 8). We also offer High School Essay courses. Students are initially placed into each class based on their grade-level and familiarity with the Writing Symphony methodology. In some cases, students may take a placement test to determine the appropriate starting level.
Our teachers will always recommend that your student build a strong foundation at first rather than move too quickly. Mastery of core concepts is critical to our methodology and why our students produce such clear results. If you feel your student is not sufficiently challenged after the first two class sessions, our Support Team will be happy to discuss an alternative placement.
Writing Symphony made the switch to 100% virtual classes at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The transition was led by our Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Mary Kleymann, who is an expert in curriculum and instruction with a specialty in virtual learning environments.
By offering virtual classes, we are able to secure the best online teachers in the country and reach students throughout the world. Additionally, teachers are able to more effectively engage students through Real-Time Editing, giving all students the opportunity to receive quality feedback on their homework submisssions.
As virtual environments become more frequently used in academics and other organizational structures, Writing Sympohny students will have an advantage with their experiences in speaking and presenting throughout their courses.
Our program is unique in that it uses a step-by-step system, based on the Institute for Excellence in Writing methodology, to teach writing that is typically not taught in a traditional English Language Arts class. Our comprehensive writing curriculum uses a balanced literacy approach so that all students have the opportunity to grow in listening, reading, and speaking while they focus on building their confidence and competence in writing. Our program is a practiced-based process. Students of all backgrounds and abilities have been successful with this approach to writing because of its systemic nature. Students are given simple, easy to use checklists and word banks to help them gradually incorporate advanced writing techniques. Similarly, our public speaking program follows a proven system developed by Page Olson, creator of the Olson Method, and implements strategies and skills to boost student confidence and competence.
Writing Symphony reserves the right to replace a live class with a recording teaching all lesson objectives should a teacher have an emergency and a substitute cannot be assigned. A recording can be provided if a student misses a class.
Homework varies between each class. Students can expect weekly homework assignments that should take between 15-20 minutes to complete on a daily basis. For our writing classes, students will be given a written assignment and grammar worksheet each week. We encourage you to speak with your student’s teacher if you have any questions regarding class assignments.
Please help your student stay organized by having them prepared when class begins with the following:
It is also important to be sure your child's webcam and microphone are working so they can fully participate in each class.
Each Writing Symphony class is capped at 6 students per teacher. We believe that small class sizes maximize learning outcomes and personalize your child’s learning experience.
In some cases, classes may have only one student registered. This class will be priced the same as our small group classes but will run for 45 minutes rather than a full hour. Parents will not be given the option for a 1-on-1 class request; however, if private tutoring is requested, private tutoring fees will apply.
Our Academic Calendar provides details about the specific class dates. If you have any questions, please contact the WS Support Team (support@writingsymphony.com).
Writing Symphony offers families $25 off any course for each sibling registration after the initial child's registration. Please contact the Writing Symphony Support Team (support@writingsymphony.com) for more information or to take advantage of this discount.
Refund Policy for Level Courses
Comprised of eight separate 4-lesson modules
This policy applies to each 4-lesson module of the course. All our Grade Level Courses are composed of eight 4-lesson long units of instruction.
If a customer purchases a package of modules, and a refund is requested prior to the completion of all modules in the package, the remaining modules will be refunded as outlined above minus the discounted amount.
If you choose to withdraw your student from their class, contact the Writing Symphony Support Team (support@writingsymphony.com) to request our Course Withdrawal Form. The Team will send you the form via email. Once you return your completed form, our accounting department will process your request. Please note that your refund/course credit will be calculated based on the date you submit the form.
*AMILIA, the registration platform utilized by Writing Symphony, charges the following credit card fee: 3.75% of the registration total + $0.30 per transaction. It will be refunded if the class is canceled by Writing Symphony. The fee will not be refunded if you choose to withdraw from the course.
Refund Policy for Public Speaking Courses and Skill-Focused Academic Camps
This applies to the ten lessons of each Public Speaking Course or Skill-Focused Academic Camp. All our Public Speaking Course or Skill-Focused Academic Camp are composed of 10 lessons of instruction per session. If you choose to discontinue at any time during the course, we will refund you per the policy outlined above.
If you choose to withdraw your student from their class, contact the Writing Symphony Support Team (support@writingsymphony.com) to request our Course Withdrawal Form. The Team will send you the form via email. Once you return your completed form, our accounting department will process your request. Please note that your refund/course credit will be calculated based on the date you submit the form.
*AMILIA, the registration platform utilized by Writing Symphony, charges the following credit card fee: 3.75% of the registration total + $0.30 per transaction. It will be refunded if the class is canceled by Writing Symphony. The fee will not be refunded if you choose to withdraw from the course.
Writing Symphony does offer installment payments. Please call us to discuss this option.
Student schedules are available by logging into Amilia (www.amilia.com). On your home page, you'll find a section titled "My Calendar." There you'll see your student's schedule.
Additionally, the Writing Symphony Academic Calendar is located at the footer of each page on our website and in the appendicies of the Writing Symphony Parent Handbook.
(The answer to this question can also be found on page 39 of the Writing Symphony Parent Handbook.)
