District Moves To Strengthen Music Program

Lakewood City Schools’ Music Department and administrators used their 21st century thinking skills - creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication - to come up with a plan that will give our students more music opportunities in the middle schools and ensure that all K-12 students have access to quality music education taught by a music specialist.

“One year ago this group of passionate and extremely talented music instructors was challenged to think outside the box to explore ways to provide more options for middle school music instruction while utilizing staff to their greatest potential. It has been a pleasure to work collaboratively with teachers and administrators to make this challenge a reality in Lakewood,” said Assistant Superintendent Roxann Ramsey-Caserio. 

Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, all middle school students will be able to take both vocal and an instrumental class. In the past, students had to choose between the two. All music instruction at the middle school will now take place five days a week. This is an increase of 80 instructional minutes per week. 

The new music schedule also allows for return to a full-time music specialist at Hayes Elementary and music instruction time for all students in the Lakewood City Schools. Last year, several teachers shared the Hayes position. With a dedicated specialist at each school, travel time will be reduced for teachers, allowing for an increase in student instruction time across the District.

With these changes, all programs across the Music Department should improve as consistency and cohesiveness is maintained in the program across K-12. With more instructional time, students will increase their musical skills, which will lead to a better and stronger program overall for the District.