Batavia Public School District 101’s Music Education Program Receives National Recognition for the Eleventh Time

Batavia, IL—Batavia Public School District 101 (BPS101) has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. BPS101 has received this award eleven times in the last twelve years, and it is one of only 29 districts in Illinois to receive the designation this year.
 
Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. To qualify for the designation, BPS101 answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, and support for the music programs. Responses were then verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
 
"This recognition continuously highlights the passion our students, staff, and community share for the profound power and impact of music. The unwavering commitment to excellence we see is truly inspiring and continues to enrich our students' lives,” says Tom Kim, Superintendent at BPS101. “My sincere appreciation goes out to our dedicated music educators and everyone involved in making this happen."
 
“In Batavia, music isn’t just an elective, it’s the heartbeat of our schools and community!” says 5th Grade Band & Orchestra Teacher Lisa Hatfield. “Music education gives students a voice, a place to belong, and a powerful outlet for creativity and self-expression. Behind it all is a wonderful team of dedicated music educators who bring passion, expertise, and heart to their classrooms every single day. We are so fortunate to be part of a district that truly understands the vital role music plays in our students’ lives, and we’re thrilled to have that commitment recognized once again!”
 
After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students involved in music are more likely to graduate from high school and also attend college. Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically-trained children than in those without music training. Listening skills are closely tied to perceiving speech in a noisy background, paying attention, and keeping sounds in memory.
 
About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported partly by the National Association of Music Merchants, its 15,000 member companies, and individual professionals. The foundation advances active participation in music-making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving, and public service programs. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit www.nammfoundation.org.

About BPS101
At BPS101, we take our mission very seriously: To help students learn and grow in all aspects of their development. Our 800+ staff members have all dedicated themselves to ensuring that our learning environments are productive, safe, and supportive. Their efforts help the nearly 5,200+ students find their passions, engage in challenging work, and develop into educated, caring citizens. Our mission is evident in all that we do, and the impact is enormous.

For more information, please visit our website at www.BPS101.net or call (630) 937-8800.