Florence 1 Schools Earns National Music Education Award for 10th Consecutive Year
The NAMM Foundation named Florence 1 a 2026 Best Communities for Music Education, one of only seven districts honored in South Carolina.
FLORENCE, SC / ACCESS Newswire / June 9, 2026 /Florence 1 Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Award from The NAMM Foundation for the tenth consecutive year, recognizing the district 's outstanding support and commitment to music education. 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.
"Florence 1 Schools continues to set the standard for arts education in South Carolina, " said Superintendent Dr. Richard O 'Malley. "We are raising the bar for what it means to provide students with a meaningful arts education that inspires creativity and allows them to pursue what they are passionate about. We are proud to receive the Best Communities for Music Education designation for the tenth year. "
In the 2025-2026 school year, the arts have flourished in Florence 1 Schools like never before. The West Florence High School Marching Knights were named Lower State Champions for the third consecutive year and secured the bronze medal in the 5A state championships. Making history, the Wilson High School Marching Tiger Pride won the SCBDA Highstep State Championship.
Two administrators, Dr. Erick Figueras, Florence 1 's Director of Arts and Innovative Programs, and South Florence High School Principal Shand Josey, received Administrator of the Year Awards from the South Carolina Art Education Association. Palmetto State Arts Education presented Florence 1 with the Ray Doughty Arts Integration Award, recognizing the district 's innovative approaches to arts education. Most recently, Superintendent O 'Malley received the state 's highest honor for the arts, the Governor 's Award for the Arts in Education from the South Carolina Arts Commission.
In the visual arts, nearly 60 Florence 1 student-artists had their work selected for the ArtFields Jr. competition more than any other district in the state.
For 2026, the NAMM Foundation recognized more than 1,000 school districts and schools across the country for outstanding achievement in providing access to high-quality music education. In South Carolina, Florence 1 was among only seven districts to receive the Best Communities for Music Education designation.
"This honor is a direct result of exceptional K-12 teaching and record student achievement at every level, " said Dr. Erick Figueras, Florence 1 's Director of Arts and Innovative Programs. "It also reflects the steadfast support of our district and community leaders, along with the commitment of our parents, who make this success possible. I continue to be extremely proud of what our arts programs accomplish each year in Florence 1 Schools. "
About Florence 1 Schools
Florence 1 Schools serves the Florence, South Carolina community as a comprehensive public school district dedicated to academic excellence, innovation, and student success. The district provides a wide range of educational opportunities from early childhood through high school, emphasizing rigorous instruction, supportive learning environments, and strong family and community partnerships. Committed to developing the whole child, Florence 1 Schools prioritizes leadership, character, wellness, and college- and career-readiness to prepare students for lifelong achievement.
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For more news and information about Florence 1 Schools, please visit https://www.f1s.org/.
Media Contact:Ashley Watson
Phone: (843) 413-4687
Email: marketing@f1s.org
SOURCE:Florence 1 Schools
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