The Schenectady City School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. 

Thanks to music teacher Mary Lattanzio, who completed the application, Schenectady received the designation in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017. 

To qualify for the designation, Lattanzio 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 with school officials and reviewed by the The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

The award recognizes that Schenectady is leading the way with learning opportunities as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).  The legislation guides implementation in the states and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) which was often criticized for an overemphasis on testing while leaving behind subjects such as music.  ESSA recommends music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.

The Schenectady City School District is grateful to Lattanzio for her hard work, dedication and commitment to music education, and, for completing the application each year to ensure that Schenectady is recognized for its music education program and continued commitment to keeping music education part of the curriculum offerings that are available to all students.

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,300 members around the world. 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, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.