Equitable Tuition Program
We believe that music education should be available to all families, regardless of income. In commitment to our values, we have structured tuition based on an equitable sharing of resources. When you pay tuition to Oak Park String Academy, you are not simply paying for your child’s music education. Your tuition is pooled with what each family can offer in order to keep the work of our Suzuki community going and growing. We all benefit from a school that reflects and serves those in and around our community.
We depend on this equitable distribution to continue our school’s mission, pay for our lesson and class spaces, and provide fair pay to our amazing and highly qualified teachers.
We make every effort to use our tuition funds with integrity, work within a modest budget, and provide the best opportunities for our OPSA community.
Symphony Level "Tier A"
Suggested Income: $400,000+
Approximately 40 Private lessons/year and 36 Group classes/year. Monthly totals are based on 4 lessons/month.
| 2024-25 Tiered Tuition Program | Lesson Length | Tier A “Symphony” Income: $400,000 or more |
| Private lesson | 60 min | $578/month |
| Private lesson | 45 min | $452/month |
| Private lesson | 30 min | $366/month |
| Group Classes | 60 min | $61/class |
| Group Classes | 45 min | $47.50/class |
| Group Classes | 30 min | $36/class |
| Dalcroze General Music Class | 30 minutes | $38/class |
Orchestra Level "Tier B"
Suggested Income: $250,000-$399,000
Approximately 40 Private lessons/year and 36 Group classes/year. Monthly totals are based on 4 lessons/month.
| 2023-24 Tiered Tuition Program | Lesson Length |
Tier B “Orchestra” Income: $250,000 – $399,000
|
| Private lesson | 60 min | $484/month |
| Private lesson | 45 min | $383/month |
| Private lesson | 30 min | $274/month |
| Group Classes | 60 min | $50/class |
| Group Classes | 45 min | $38.75/class |
| Group Classes | 30 min | $27.50/class |
| Dalroze General Music Class | 30 minutes | $32 |
Ensemble Level "Tier C"
Suggested Income: $90,000-$249,000
Approximately 40 Private lessons/year and 36 Group classes/year. Monthly totals are based on 4 lessons/month.
| 2023-24 Tiered Tuition Program | Lesson Length |
Tier C “Ensemble” Income: $90,000 – $249,000
|
| Private lesson | 60 min | $404/month |
| Private lesson | 45 min | $324/month |
| Private lesson | 30 min | $236/month |
| Group Classes | 60 min | $41/class |
| Group Classes | 45 min | $30/class |
| Group Classes | 30 min | $23/class |
| Dalcroze General Music Class | 30 minutes | $24/class |
Chamber Level "Tier D"
Suggested Income: $89,000 or less
Approximately 40 Private lessons/year and 36 Group classes/year. Monthly totals are based on 4 lessons/month.
| 2023-24 Tiered Tuition Program | Lesson Length |
Tier D “Chamber” Income: $89,000 or less
|
| Private lesson | 60 min | $264/month |
| Private lesson | 45 min | $209/month |
| Private lesson | 30 min | $154/month |
| Group Classes | 60 min | $29.5/class |
| Group Classes | 45 min | $21.75/class |
| Group Classes | 30 min | $14.50/class |
| Dalcroze General Music Class | 30 minutes | $18.00/class |
Homeschool Classes
Please contact Meg about rates for these specially tailored classes.
Adult Classes
🎻 Adult Music Class
Thursdays, January 8 – February 12
7:30–8:30 PM | 6-week session
Location: Oak Park String Academy, Harrison Street Studio: 350 Harrison Street Oak Park, IL 60304
Step away from the noise of everyday life and rediscover the joy of making music. OPSA’s new Adult Music Class offers a welcoming, no-pressure space for adults of all levels to learn, play, and unwind together. Whether you’re returning to your instrument or starting fresh, you’ll find connection, laughter, and creativity in community.
Tuition (Equitable Tiered Rates): Tier A – $335 | Tier B – $330 | Tier C – $325 | Tier D – $320
All participants are invited to select the tuition tier that best matches their current financial circumstances — ensuring that music remains accessible to all while sustaining our teachers and programs.
👉 Register Here
Why does OPSA have an equitable tuition system?
Equitable tuition puts our commitment to accessibility and diversity upfront, with transparency and clarity. It allows us to maintain a socio-economically diverse student population and has created a school culture that embraces the understanding that some families pay more while others pay less so that EVERYONE can access an exceptional musical education.
OPSA has many expenses to pay and we are always looking for more financial support to help cover our rent, building expenses, and more. Families select their tuition tier when enrolling at OPSA. A family stays in the tier they select at the time of enrollment unless they would like to move up a tier, which can be done at any time. Moving down a tier occurs in February or July and is only due to a major life circumstance such as job loss or illness. We appreciate your honesty and consideration when selecting the best tier for your family. Our teachers and entire program depend on the goodwill of families in our community. Thank you!