Little Elm ISD has once again been recognized as one of the Best Communities for Music Education — marking our fourth consecutive year receiving this prestigious honor!

On May 8, NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants) and The NAMM Foundation announced the 2025 recipients of the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award. Now in its 26th year, this national recognition celebrates school districts for their outstanding commitment to music education and efforts to ensure all students have access to music as part of a well-rounded education.

Little Elm ISD is proud to stand among the top districts across the country recognized for prioritizing music learning and creating opportunities for students to thrive through the arts. This marks four years in a row that our district has received this honor — a testament to the dedication of our teachers, the passion of our students, and the continued support of our community.

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

Over 46 states are honored in 2025 including 103 first-time winners and two districts (Fulton County and Henrico County) being selected for the 26th consecutive year. Additionally, winners of the award for 25-consecutive years include Berea City School District and Torrington public schools. “Music education has numerous positive effects on communities,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM president and CEO and former educator. “The Best Communities for Music Education award winners serve as models for the power of music education to foster a lifelong appreciation for the arts, and NAMM is honored to recognize the 2025 recipients.”

“We are thrilled to recognize this year’s awardees for their outstanding commitment to music education access,” said Julia Rubio, Executive Director of The NAMM Foundation. “These districts and schools demonstrate that access to music learning helps students thrive, in school and in life, and we celebrate their dedication to creating inclusive learning environments.”