Gibson County Special School District receives national recognition for Championing Music Education for the third time
PRESS RELEASE FROM GIBSON COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT:
DYER, Tenn. — The Gibson County Special School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award from The NAMM Foundation for their outstanding support and commitment to music education.
Now in its 27th year, the program continues to spotlight and celebrate school districts and individual schools across the United States for their exemplary dedication to music education and their ongoing efforts to ensure equitable access to music learning as part of a well-rounded education.
The award reaches K-12 communities nationwide, offering both recognition and momentum to strengthen and expand music education programs. In 2026, more than 1,000 school districts and schools—including public, private, charter and parochial institutions—have been recognized for outstanding achievement in providing access to high-quality music education.
“In our district, we hope that we are teaching and training students to be well-rounded individuals. Access to fine arts and music education is crucial to ensuring that goal.” said Director Schools, Eddie Pruett.
“Music education is everything. It is math. It is language arts. It is work ethic. It is responsibility. It encompasses every foundational curriculum into a medium that students enjoy doing with friends on a daily basis.” states GCSSD Band Director, Frankie Leslie. Leslie goes on to say that “music education does not stop when a student walks across a stage for graduation. It is a lifelong skill that continues to be appreciated by the new and old alike.”
Recipients of the 2026 BCME Awards were selected through a comprehensive application and review process that evaluates key indicators, including funding, instructional time, participation
rates, facilities and community support. To uphold the program’s rigor and credibility, all applications were independently reviewed and verified by WolfBrown, a leading research and
evaluation firm specializing in education and the arts
Mission
The mission of the Gibson County Special School District is to provide learning experiences through which every student will be well prepared for their life, education, and career.
Vision
Every student is engaged in a world-class education and extra-curricular experiences that successfully prepare each one for life through academic, social, and emotional learning.
Core Values
- Students are our first priority. Every decision made and action taken must be based on the needs of our students.
- All students can learn and can be successful.
- We are committed to providing a safe, positive, and nurturing environment for all students, staff, and families in our district.
- Every student has access to rigorous instruction and high-quality programs.
- Education is a partnership among schools, families, and communities.
- Transparent and effective communication is valued and practiced.
About The NAMM Foundation
The NAMM Foundation is the charitable arm of the National Association of Music Merchants, the global trade association for the music products industry. The foundation works to remove systemic barriers that limit access to music-making and career pathways in the music industry. By investing in bold ideas and innovative solutions, we strive to build inclusive and thriving
musical communities. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, please visit https://www.nammfoundation.org/
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