For second straight year -- and the fifth time since 1999 -- Northwood High School has been selected as a Grammy Signature School by the Grammy Foundation.
This is one of the most prestigious accolades for music education, and in 2014 it's being presented to just 12 schools throughout the country. In addition to the special designation and a custom award, Northwood’s music program will receive $2,000.
“Our teachers are so excited,” Principal Leslie Roach
Established in 1988, the Grammy Foundation promotes the impact of recorded music on American culture and recognizes schools that provide exceptional music opportunities for students. Each year, more than 20,000 public high schools have an opportunity to apply to become Grammy Signature Schools, but only a small number earn the honor.
IUSD’s four comprehensive high schools have now won 10 Grammy awards -- look out, Quincy Jones -- with half of those going to Northwood, which opened in 1999.
"Through this Grammy in the Schools initiative, the Grammy Foundation is able to provide critical financial resources and bring attention to the excellence of music programs in schools across the United States,” Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation said in this news release.
Applications for the honor were submitted in the fall. Along with Northwood, Irvine and Woodbridge high schools were among 127 semifinalists that were later asked to submit additional documentation, including concert recordings. Those materials were reviewed by an independent committee of top music educators and professionals, who decided which schools merited the designation.