POLICIES & FAQ

SOMAS CALENDAR

SOMAS follows the South Orange-Maplewood School District calendar with regard to holidays and closures. On these days, classes do not take place and the office is closed.

2024 Holidays and Closures:

Jan. 1: New Year’s Day
Jan. 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Feb. 19: Presidents Day
Mar. 25-29: Spring Break
Apr. 10: Eid Al Fitr
May 31: Memorial Day
June 4: Election Day
June 21: Juneteenth
July 4-5: Independence Day

Sep. 2: Labor Day
Oct. 3-4: Rosh Hashanah
Oct. 12: Yom Kippur
Nov. 5: Election Day
Nov. 7-8: NJEA Convention
Nov. 27-29: Thanksgiving Holidays
Dec. 23-31: Holiday Break
Jan. 1, 2025: New Year’s Day


CLASS POLICIES

Registration

There are four ways to register:

  • Online: use our online course catalog (credit card only)

  • Phone: call the office at 973.378.7620. 

  • Mail: send us a check with the course name and number

  • In-person: visit our offices to register in person.


Office Hours

Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm. During the school year, we are also available Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30-8:30pm; Saturdays, 9-11am.


Tuition

Tuition must be paid at the time of registration along with a nonrefundable registration fee of $5 for South Orange and Maplewood residents and $7 for non-residents, per semester. 

Once you are registered, you will receive an email confirmation. No receipts will be mailed.


Classes

You are responsible for noting the class date(s). While some teachers may send email communication prior to class, SOMAS does not send reminders.

For adult classes, children are not allowed to accompany adults to classes. Classes are for adults and teens ages 14 and up unless otherwise stated. We offer classes just for children and for parents and children together; these are noted in the catalog.

For online classes, a Zoom link will be emailed the day before the class starts.

Registration for online classes and trips will end prior to the day of the class. The online catalog will note if you can still call to register.

Participants are responsible for transportation to and from all classes, trips and events unless the course description specifically states otherwise. 


Refunds

Refunds will be made upon request if a course is dropped at least one week (7 days) prior to the first class. A $10 cancellation fee will be charged.

There is a cancellation fee of $15 for all day trips. To receive a refund, cancellations must be made before the registration deadline.

If the school must cancel a course or trip, full tuition will be refunded.


FAQ

Where do classes take place?
Unless otherwise specified, classes take place at Columbia High School (CHS). 17 Parker Avenue, Maplewood. If a class takes place at a different location, it will be noted in the class description in the course catalog.

Does SOMAS offer GED classes?
Due to changes in state requirements, SOMAS no longer offers GED classes.

When will I receive information about my online class or day trip?
Zoom links and information about day trips are typically emailed a day or two before the class takes place. When you register, use an email address you frequently check to ensure you receive the information.

Do classes get canceled?
Classes that don’t meet the minimum enrollment are canceled. If your class is canceled, you will receive an email to the email address you used when registering. 

How will I know about class cancellations due to weather?
Closings and cancellations due to inclement weather or emergencies are posted on our website and social media.

Where should I park?
For classes at Columbia High School, parking is available on the surrounding streets. Be sure to read street signs carefully for restricted areas. Handicapped parking is available.