Abington School District and Jenkintown School District received the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for outstanding support and commitment to music education for the second consecutive year.

Jenkintown School District has received the honor twice, Abington School District 14 times. The award is in its 26th year.

In January 2024, Abington’s Modern Music Makers (M3) high school program received national recognition through an Advocacy in Action award. Music industry teacher Kevin Longwill was named to the Yamaha “40 Under 40” music education advocacy program in February 2024.

From the announcement:

Two awards are given each year: Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) for school districts and the Support Music Merit Award (SMMA) for individual school sites. Both reach K-12 schools and districts throughout the U.S. and offer opportunities to increase awareness and support for music programs. Over 1,000 districts and individual school sites (public, private, charter, parochial) were recognized for having the highest commitment to producing exceptional music programs.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, district administrators answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs.

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