Program Policies

Participation & Completion

  1. Full participation involves: 

    • Reading the complete text(s) by the assigned dates; and, attending each session and participating to the best of your ability. 

  2. Certificate of Completion: For high school students only, if you fulfill the above requirements, you will receive a non-accredited certificate of completion for your particular book cohort to commemorate your work. If you do not meet these requirements, we may decline to issue the certificate. Up to 25% absences are permitted with advanced notice and only in the case of extenuating circumstances (e.g. illness, family emergency). Please reach out—we will be happy to work with you. 

  3. Generative AI: The use of GenAI is not permitted at The New Commons. We are interested in facilitating your authentic, deep reading experience. Only when you have had your own moments of discovery and struggle can we work toward meaningful collective dialogue as a cohort. We celebrate our humanness, anticipate error and struggle, and honor the process that is learning together. 

Payment & Financial

  1. Refund Policy: If there is a cancellation more than three (3) weeks before the cohort start date, payment will be refunded minus a 50% administrative fee. If the cancellation occurs within three (3) weeks of the start date, no refund will be issued. 

  2. Withdrawal or Removal: If you or your student withdraws or is removed from the cohort for any reason, payment is non-refundable. In the case of involuntary extenuating circumstances, we welcome you to contact us to discuss options. 

  3. Force Majeure: If we must cancel a cohort for reasons within our control, you will receive a full refund. If, in the unlikely circumstances, cohorts are suspended due to extraordinary circumstances, including natural disasters, war, government action, public health emergencies, or other acts of God, and we cannot resume operations due to such events, payment is nonrefundable. 

Enrollment & Conduct

All Students

  1. No tolerance for hate or bigotry. We have a zero tolerance policy for any kind of hate, harassment, bigotry, or personal attacks on others, which will result in immediate removal from the program. 

 High School Students Only

  1. Parent/Guardian Support: By enrolling your student in the cohort, the parent/guardian agrees to these policies. You agree to encourage your student’s full participation and help them complete the reading and attend sessions to the best of your ability. 

  2. Parent/Guardian Communication: We welcome questions throughout the process and are here to support your student! Please note that any kind of harassment of our Instructors or administrators may result in the student being unable to participate in their cohort, without a refund.