Crown Point Junior Music Academy recently earned the SupportMusic Merit Award from The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.
That should come as no surprise to those familiar with the Pacific Beach neighborhood music magnet school, which is working its way toward loftier goals.
The SupportMusic Merit Award is given to individual schools that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. Crown Point is one of 120 schools nationwide and 18 schools in California being recognized by the foundation for their school-based music education programs. This is the first time Crown Point has received this award.
Crown Point is known for its focus on strong academics through music education. Following their motto, “Music Opens Minds,” teachers at Crown Point focus on integrating music into their entire curriculum, which helps improve students’ intellectual development and musical skill.
“Crown Point is a small school with a big vision,” said Principal Muriel Bartolini. “All stakeholders involved in the school believe music to be a vital part of a child’s education, and because of that, our teachers work hard at incorporating music in all they do within the students’ day. Receiving this award has honored our vision.”
The music almost ended at Crown Point with the 2008 recession and school district budget cuts that curtailed several of the school’s programs, which are now, slowly, returning.
“I’ve always been a supporter of the arts because I know there are so many children, if given the opportunity with different mediums, that they would be able to bring out that gift,” said Bartolini. “So when I came here last year as the new principal, I had a sidewalk painted with notes and had music murals put in on school walls to show the community what we are in here.”
Bartolini said her goal is to turn Crown Point into “a state-of-the-art music academy.”
“That’s my vision,” she said, adding, “There’s a ways to go.”
Elementary school assistant Catalina Valenzuela noted Crown Point’s music program starts out with the school’s transitional kindergarten class and culminates with its Suzuki violin program, wherein both parents and students learn to play the violin together.
“The Suzuki method is a big parent-involvement program,” said Valenzuela, noting the parent becomes the child’s “coach.”
Kristen Churchill, a Crown Point parent, said the school’s music program is wonderfully involving for families. She added performances by young people can “take your breath away,” with songs performed by children making you want to “tap your feet and get goosebumps.”
Noting Crown Point was “a very small school before the music program,” Valenzuela pointed out the school’s population has more than doubled, from about 150 students a few years ago to 390 today.
Valenzuela added music is even a major part of after-school and student club programs.
“We have a lot of after-school clubs provided free,” Valenzuela said. “Kids learn how to play guitar and other instruments. They go out and perform at the Pacific Beach Library and at events like PB Beachfest and the annual Gator By the Bay festival.”
For more information, visit www.sandi.net/crownpoint.