Tempe Elementary Named Best Community for Music Education for Sixth Year

For the sixth year in a row, the Tempe Elementary School District has been recognized as a Best Community for Music Education, an award distributed by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation. Tempe Elementary is one of seven school Districts in Arizona to receive this distinction.

The nationwide award program recognizes outstanding efforts by schools and Districts that have made music education part of their comprehensive curriculum.

“This recognition shows our District's commitment to providing and supporting a well-rounded education for our students,” said Tempe Elementary Fine Arts Coordinator Courtney Darby.

Designations are awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students. 

“Our music educators are some of the finest in the state, and probably the nation,” said Darby. “We have an incredibly supportive community of families and stakeholders.”

“I want to thank the taxpayers and our Governing Board for supporting our recent capital override to provide much-needed new instruments for all 10,000 of our students,” she continued. “Because of the generosity and support of our community, we are able to provide an instrumental music education to any student who is interested without cost to the families.”

According to NAMM, research in music education reveals consistent benefits for children, both in their academic and social skills. A study spanning two years showed that children who received music education demonstrated greater improvements in speech processing and reading scores compared to their peers who were less involved in music. Additionally, students engaged in music are not only more inclined to graduate from high school but also show a higher likelihood to attend college.

Tempe Elementary proudly offers a variety of music electives* to middle school students, including band, orchestra, choir, guitar, mariachi, and piano classes. Music education is also interwoven in curriculum at all District elementary schools and available during afterschool clubs.

About Fine Arts at Tempe Elementary
Tempe Elementary School District and its community are committed to providing rich and varied experiences for our students. Learn more about Fine Arts at Tempe Elementary.

*Certain courses are offered exclusively at some Tempe Elementary schools.