Lakewood Schools Again Honored For Music Education Efforts

LAKEWOOD, OH —The Lakewood City Schools are again one of America's Best Communities for Music Education, according to The Namm Foundation. This is the third straight year the district has earned recognition for its support of music education.

“We are fortunate to be in a community that places music and the arts as one of its most valued assets and expresses support for music education in many ways," said Superintendent Mike Barnes. "Our teachers' dedication and passion for instilling a lifelong love of music in our students and providing them opportunities to grow musically is amazing."

The Best Communities for Music Education is awarded to school districts that demonstrate outstanding efforts to improve and provide music access to all students. Only 38 school districts in Ohio were named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by The Namm Foundation.

Lakewood City Schools answered detailed questions about funding for arts programs, fine arts graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music programs.

Lakewood Schools offer music education for students starting in kindergarten and programming continues through the 12th grade. Instrumental instruction begins in 5th grade and middle school offerings include classroom band, orchestra, and choir with extracurricular opportunities in all three.

The high school has five orchestras of its own, four choirs, three bands and classes in music theory, music history, pop music and keyboard. The high school offers extracurricular activities like the Lakewood Ranger Marching Band, The Lakewood Project, Chamber Choir, Jazz Band and more.

“Our experience with the Lakewood music program has been amazing,” said parent and Music Boosters president Inas Jassani, whose son, Safe, is a senior and recently was accepted into the Oberlin College Conservatory. “I can’t say enough about the support from teachers and the opportunities given to my son to advance his music skills.”

The benefits of music education for students are numerous. Studies by researchers at Northwestern University found a link between community music programs and life-long academic success.