KATY [April 2, 2019] – Seventeen out of 20 years, Katy Independent School District has received the “Best Communities for Music Education” designation from the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. The District has received this recognition for 15 consecutive years.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding efforts by school communities in supporting music education as part of the school district’s core curriculum. This year NAMM Foundation recognized 623 school districts and 98 individual schools.
“Not only is Katy ISD considered one of the best music programs in the nation, but our fine arts educators have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their efforts to provide music access and education to our students,” said Executive Director of Fine Arts Mike Ouellette. “Music is an important practice for students as it assists in brain development, increases human connections and can even serve as a stress reliever,” added Ouellette.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Katy ISD 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 Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.