The Walton-Verona Independent school district has been recognized by The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation as one of its Best Communities for Music Education.

The awards program recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of the curriculum. Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.

In addition, Rosenwald-Dunbar Elementary School (Jessamine County) received the SupportMusic Merit Award, which recognizes exemplary music education programs in individual schools. The NAMM Foundation designated 527 of the nation’s 13,515 school districts this year as Best Communities for Music Education and 92 individual schools as SupportMusic Merit Award winners.

The Best Communities for Music Education program and the SupportMusic Merit Award evaluate schools and districts based on funding, staffing of highly qualified teachers, commitment to standards and access to music instruction. Researchers at the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas led the selection.