LAS VEGAS (KSNV & MyNews3) -- Green Valley High School and Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts were recognized by the Grammy Foundation as Grammy Signature Gold Schools.
More than 20,000 schools were invited to submit applications for the distinction. Both schools submitted recordings of concerts and other information about their programs for review by a blue ribbon committee of top music educators and professionals.
Diane Koutsulis, director of bands at Green Valley says the honor is an affirmation that the schools commitment to the arts is paying off.
“This school started with a vision of the importance of the arts within the framework of a comprehensive high school, and through the joint efforts of teachers, administration, students, and parents, we have been able to maintain this vision, and continue to expand our goals,” said Koutsulis. “We look forward to continuing this tradition.”
Las Vegas Academy Music Department Chair, Bill Swick was equally proud of his students and the long running tradition of excellence the school has when it comes to music and the arts.
“We are motivated each year to strive for the excellence needed to be one of the top high school music programs in the nation,” said Swick. “This is our tenth year as a GRAMMY Signature Awards Winner. Without GRAMMY in the Schools, it is hard to say if we would maintain the same drive, motivation and focus that it takes to be a GRAMMY Signature Awards Winner.”
Both schools received $5,000 from the Grammy Foundation to further the goals of their music programs.
The Clark County School District was also named one of the Best Communities for Music Education, the twelfth year the district has achieved that distinction.
