Peoria Unified was recently named a recipient of the Best Communities for Music Education Award, presented by The NAMM Foundation, for the district’s outstanding support and commitment to music education. With this recognition, Peoria Unified becomes the first west valley district to receive this designation, joining only six other districts in the state of Arizona.
The Best Communities for Music Education Award is presented to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievements for providing music access and education to all students. Peoria Unified answered questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for music programs and community music-making programs. Responses were reviewed by the leading arts educational research firm, WolfBrown.
“This award demonstrates Peoria Unified’s commitment to music education and to the impact of these programs on our students,” said Peoria Unified Superintendent Dr. K.C. Somers. “I want to express my appreciation to the Peoria Unified community as this award recognizes the valuable relationship between the district and community which benefits our students with performance and extracurricular opportunities.”
With hundreds of students enrolled in music courses, Peoria Unified has a strong foundation of music educators who are highly qualified and certified in their content area. Building upon strong community relationships with the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, all third-grade students in Peoria Unified take a field trip to the MIM for a STEAM event directly tied to the science standards they are learning in the classroom. Additionally, Peoria Unified fosters relationships with Glendale Community College and in-state universities to provide student practicum opportunities for college students while allowing current Peoria Unified students to learn from collegiate-level professors through honor ensembles which culminate in community performances.
For more information about Peoria Unified’s art education programs, visit the district’s website at peoriaunified.org/artseducation.