April 06, 2026

Carlsbad, CA

Foundation News

Music Education

2026 Best Communities for Music Education Schools

2026 Best Communities for Music Education Winners

The NAMM Foundation is proud to recognize the 2026 Best Communities for Music Education school recipients below.

Now in its 27th year, the award recognizes schools and districts nationwide for their leadership in expanding equitable access to music education. In addition to the School Districts recognized, we are also proud to award 1,008 school districts.

Explore the list of individual schools by entering a name in the search bar or filter results by clicking the column headers (School, City, State, etc.).

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Community Spotlight

Being in music and in a leadership position, it’s so much easier to talk to people. There’s something about playing an instrument that just makes you a better person.

- Emma , Student, Lake Travis High School

Did you know?

"When we sing or create music, we use all the parts of the brain: left, right, front, and back. All these parts collaborate. That is very unique! Music is complex; that is, it uses so many aspects of a person's being." Hanne Deneire, composer.

Quoted in "Appreciating Music as a Foundational Aspect of Creativity" by Joanne Foster. Feb. 3, 2018

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