A private high school in Fresh Meadows received top honors for one of its educational programs.
The music program at St. Francis Preparatory School was deemed a “Program of Distinction,” a prestigious title reserved for the country’s top-tier institutions, by the Middle States Association for the second time. The school was the first to achieve the merit in music when it received the recognition in 2011.
The title is awarded to schools who foster an appreciation for music in its students and where the subject is “recognized as an essential component of the social and cultural fiber of society and the school.”
The college preparatory high school offers a variety academic courses within the program, including music technology and production, and 11 ensemble groups.
“Earning the Program of Distinction in Music and having to go through the process has been such a plus for our program,” chairperson of music and band director Robert Corbino said. “It reaffirms the work we’re doing.”
In 2017, the school’s visual arts and school counseling programs were awarded the honor. St. Francis Prep is one of only a few schools to have earned three Programs of Distinction.
“At Saint Francis, we believe that providing strong programs in the arts and music is key to a high-quality education,” school principal Patrick McLaughlin said. “Unfortunately, music education has become a luxury at many schools throughout the country, instead of a necessity … We are proud that Middle States has recognized this work by naming our music program a Program of Distinction.”
The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools’ mission is to improve the quality of education in the United States and around the world. For more information about the institution, visit their website.
