NSCSD earns Best Communities for Music Education designation

The North Syracuse Central School District has once again been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. This marks the fourth consecutive year the district has received this national recognition.

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

Two awards are given each year: the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) designation for school districts and the SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA) for individual school sites. Both recognize K-12 schools and districts across the United States that show the highest commitment to music programs. This year, over 1,000 districts and individual school sites (public, private, charter, and parochial) were recognized.

“Being named one of the Best Communities for Music Education for the fourth consecutive year is a powerful reflection of the dedication, passion, and collaboration that define our music programs. This honor belongs to our talented students, our committed educators, and a community that truly values the role of the arts in education. Music is not just something we teach—it’s something we live.”

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, North Syracuse Central School District provided detailed information about its music program, including funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for music-making in both schools and the community. The responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by WolfBrown, a leading arts education research organization.

About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is the charitable arm of the National Association of Music Merchants, the global trade association for the music products industry. The foundation works to remove systemic barriers that limit access to music-making and career pathways in the music industry. By investing in bold ideas and innovative solutions, the Foundation strives to build inclusive and thriving musical communities. For more information, visit nammfoundation.org.