Ossining Designated as a "Best Community for Music Education"

For the 11th consecutive year, the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation has recognized the Ossining School District as a Best Community for Music Education.

Ossining is one of 754 school districts in 42 states that the organization commended for their support of music education as part of a well-rounded education for all children, and for the outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders.

Providing music education has been even more challenging with school buildings closed or open on a more limited basis and with more safety precautions necessary due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Even in this time of uncertainty, the Best Community districts and SupportMusic schools show what can be done when teachers, school and community leaders, and parents all agree that music is essential and not optional as a learning force that must be available to all students," said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of The NAMM Foundation. "More so now than ever and as evident by the creative music learning by both teachers and students that continue from home and online, music education plays a crucial role in students’ social and emotional connections to each other and the community."

The Best Community for Music Education program works with researchers at the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas to evaluate districts and schools based on funding, staffing of highly qualified teachers, commitment to standards and access to music instruction. Districts apply by answering detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities and support for music programs.

A 2018 report called Music Matters found that music students do better in English, math and science than their peers who are not in music classes. Offering more music and arts classes leads to fewer suspensions and dropouts. The study was produced by the Arts Education Partnership and co-sponsored by the Country Music Foundation and the NAMM Foundation.

The number of Best Community for Music Education districts has increased since the program began 21 years ago. There were fewer than 100 districts in 1999, compared to more than 700 today. The designation has helped raise local awareness of quality music programs across the country and helped communities secure funding for music programs threatened by budget cuts.