Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas – For the 8th year-in-a-row, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) has been honored with the 2022 Best Communities for Music Education national designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
The Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, PSJA ISD provided detailed information about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities and support for the music programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“We are so proud of our students and team for earning this national recognition for 8 years in a row,” said Superintendent Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “Being ranked among the best communities for music education is a great honor and it speaks to the quality of music education offered at all PSJA ISD schools.”
The 2022 Best Communities for Music Education designation recognizes PSJA ISD’s efforts in leading the way with music learning opportunities as outlined in the new federal education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The legislation signed into law in December 2015 and awaiting state implementation designates music and the arts as important elements of a well-rounded education for all children.
At PSJA ISD, students can participate in the following superior music programs: Band, Orchestra, Choir, Jazz Band and Mariachi. In addition to this, the district also started offering Conjunto Groups at all high schools during the 2021-2022 school year.
The district’s Fine Arts program also recently celebrated hundreds of band, orchestra, and choir students advancing to the UIL State Competition.
For more information about the PSJA Fine Arts Program, visit www.psjaisd.us/whypsja. PSJA ISD welcomes students living anywhere in the Rio Grande Valley.
