District 518 earns national recognition for music education

Worthington District 518 Schools have been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for their outstanding commitment to music education. 

Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, District 518 Schools answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

A statement in a press release attributed to the District 518 Music Department says: "Simply put, Worthington understands that music provides our students a common ground with which to explore our humanity and the world around us. We don't have to speak the same language or share the same beliefs to create something beautiful together. Music is critical to a complete public-school education, and we are proud to be music educators in Worthington, Minnesota."

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 15,000 global member companies and individual professionals worldwide. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, visit www.nammfoundation.org.