West Ottawa again recognized as top district for music education

PARK TWP. — For a second consecutive year, West Ottawa Public Schools has been recognized for the quality of its music program.

West Ottawa was recently named a Best Community for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation. It was one of just 21 districts in Michigan to receive the honor, and one of three in Ottawa County, along with Jenison and Spring Lake.

The BCME designation recognizes districts “that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.” West Ottawa received the honor for the first time last school year.

“It’s amazing to be recognized once again by NAMM for our outstanding music department at West Ottawa,” Chris Meyer, music co-chair at WOPS, wrote in a release.

“Our music staff and students put in so much time and effort every single day to pursue excellence, and it’s great to be recognized for these efforts. We greatly appreciate the support that we receive from parents, the administration, the community and the West Ottawa Music Boosters to make our programs successful.”

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To qualify for the honor, WOPS submitted information about funding, graduation requirements, participation, instruction time, facilities and support for music education at the district. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.

“We are extremely proud of this recognition for our students and staff,” Superintendent Tim Bearden wrote. “Our students, staff and community are invested in the performing arts, and our talented student musicians and their equally talented instructors are tremendous representatives of the deep, rich learning experiences students can have in the arts.”

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.