North Hills earns 12th consecutive national honor for music education excellence

For the 12th consecutive year, the North Hills School District has been recognized by the NAMM Foundation with the Best Communities for Music Education designation, highlighting the district’s sustained commitment to providing exceptional music education opportunities for all students.

This national honor is awarded to school districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in ensuring access to music education across all grade levels. To qualify, North Hills completed a detailed application process covering areas such as funding, graduation requirements, student participation in music courses, instructional time, facilities, and community support for music programs.

"Throughout the year, we see firsthand the incredible accomplishments of our students in music, but recognitions like this provide an important, objective perspective on the strength of our program,” said Len Lavelle, Curriculum Leader for the NHSD Music Department. "The application process itself continues to help us reflect and grow, and being recognized for the 12th consecutive year makes this honor especially meaningful."

He added, "We are grateful for the ongoing support of our community, administration, and teachers. North Hills is truly a wonderful place to learn music."

Since the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in 2015, which emphasizes a well-rounded education, many districts have strengthened their commitment to music and the arts. During the pandemic, music and arts programs also played a vital role in keeping students engaged and connected to school. ESSA provides funding opportunities through Title IV, Part A grants, which many districts use to expand access to music and arts education.

Research continues to show that music education supports student success in multiple ways, including improved language processing, stronger reading skills, and higher graduation and college attendance rates. Students involved in music also demonstrate stronger listening skills, including the ability to focus in noisy environments and retain auditory information. These cognitive benefits can last well into adulthood.

In addition, music education fosters important social-emotional skills such as teamwork, discipline, communication, and constructive feedback—skills that benefit students far beyond the classroom.

North Hills’ continued recognition underscores the district’s long-standing commitment to ensuring that every student has access to meaningful, high-quality music education experiences.

About The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its 15,000 member companies and individual professionals. 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.