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By NATHAN HOWELL | Special to the Reporter

PELHAM – Pelham City Schools was recently honored by being recognized as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” by the National Association of Music Merchants.

According to NAMM’s website it has been giving this designation for many years to “recognize and celebrate school districts and schools for their support and commitment to music education and efforts to assure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education.”

Director of Bands for Pelham High School Justin Ward explained that he submitted an application after seeing other districts across the country achieve this honor, and felt that PCS was qualified.

“I believe that Pelham City Schools earned this national distinction because of the priority that our Superintendent, Board of Education, School Administrators and community has placed on giving our students a first class music education,” Ward said.

“While the planning and a commitment to resources at the administrative and Board level has to be there, the obvious reasons we received this recognition is because of the work of our people,” said PCS Superintendent Dr. Scott Coefield. “All of our staff, the kids who put in the work, the support of the parents, those are the people that made this happen.”

According to Ward the criteria for achieving this designation involved a lengthy application process with many questions about the music program and school such as enrollment, demographics, funding, staffing and how music classes are taught.

“All of the students in Pelham City Schools have access to music in a classroom setting and my fellow educators go above and beyond to provide them with life-changing experiences through music,” Ward said. “It truly takes a village and congratulations are in order for everyone including the students, parents, teachers and administration.”