From elementary school choruses to high school marching bands, music education is a foundational part of the K-12 learning experience at Henrico County Public Schools. HCPS’ music educators equip students with the skills to perform and empower them with the confidence to succeed on any stage, and it’s this dedication to our students and the arts that has earned the school division recognition as one of the America’s “Best Communities for Music Education” for a 26th straight year by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.
HCPS is one of two school divisions in the country, along with Fulton County Schools in Georgia, to be honored by the NAMM Foundation every year since the award’s inception in 1999.
“Thanks to our teachers, administrators and support throughout HCPS, our students receive a world-class music education in Henrico, and we’re proud to see these efforts and achievements recognized year after year,” said Chris Moseley, the school division’s education specialist for performing arts.
This year, the NAMM Foundation selected 935 school divisions in the country, including 23 from Virginia, as “Best Communities for Music Education.” The organization uses several criteria to determine the honorees:
Student demographics
Teacher/student ratio
Music education participation rates
Music education and/or fine arts requirements for graduation or as required by the curriculum
Knowledge of music education electives
Teacher qualifications
Standards for assessing music education
Music facilities
Budget
The NAMM Foundation is funded by music trade association activities and donations. The foundation works to promote music education as an important part of the core educational curriculum.
To learn more about the “Best Communities for Music Education” program and view other recognized school divisions, go to https://www.nammfoundation.org/what-we-do/best-communities-music-education.