Education
Education

Georgia schools win national recognition for music education

Sandy Springs Charter Middle School band director Janet Stalling conducts her students during a class. The middle school is in Fulton County, which is one of six Georgia school districts that won national recognition for its music education program this week. (HENRY TAYLOR / HENRY.TAYLOR@AJC.COM)
Sandy Springs Charter Middle School band director Janet Stalling conducts her students during a class. The middle school is in Fulton County, which is one of six Georgia school districts that won national recognition for its music education program this week. (HENRY TAYLOR / HENRY.TAYLOR@AJC.COM)
By Will Robinson
April 5, 2017

Six Georgia school districts have been recognized as Best Communities for Music Education this week, three in metro Atlanta.

Cobb, Fulton and Gwinnett school districts received the recognition from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation. The award recognizes districts that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment to music education through their funding, staffing, standards and access.

The NAMM Foundation supports music education programs as ways to help students succeed in all subjects.

“The links between student success and music education have now been demonstrated by brain researchers in multiple studies,” said Mary Luehrsen of the NAMM Foundation. “These schools and districts are models for other educators who see music as a key ingredient in a well-rounded curriculum that makes music available to all children, regardless of zip code.”

Outside of the Atlanta area, Baldwin, Clarke and Putnam school districts also won the distinction. Eastside Elementary School in Douglasville also received a SupportMusic Merit Award for its exemplary music education program.

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