McKinney, Texas — McKinney ISD has earned two prestigious honors in recognition of its commitment to fine arts education. The district has been named a 2025 District of Distinction by the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) and, for the 10th consecutive year, has received the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation.
The TAEA District of Distinction Award places McKinney ISD among the top 8 percent of school districts in Texas for excellence in visual arts education. Out of over 1,200 eligible districts, only 109 met the rigorous 14-point rubric assessing factors such as visual arts advocacy, curriculum integration, community engagement, and student growth. Honorees will be recognized at the TAEA Fall Conference in Round Rock on November 21, 2025.
(L-R) McKinney ISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt, Art Teacher Christine Biscarro (Reuben Johnson Elementary), Art Teacher Amanda Hughes (McKinney High School) and McKinney ISD Director of Fine Arts Dr. Jared Critchfield at the McKinney ISD Board of Trustees meeting on August 18, where Biscarro and Hughes accepted TAEA District of Distinction recognition on behalf of the district.
“McKinney ISD has set a high standard for visual arts advocacy, integrated visual arts curriculum, encouraged creativity, community participation and student growth,” said Nealy Holley, Chair of the Visual Art Administrators of Texas, a division of TAEA. “It is a true testament to your visual art educators’ skill, dedication, and flexibility that the quality of their programs continued to provide strong and comprehensive visual art educational experiences to students.”
In addition, McKinney ISD was recognized nationally by The NAMM Foundation for its ongoing commitment to music education, earning the Best Communities for Music Education distinction for the 10th year in a row. The award recognizes districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students, based on criteria that included funding, curriculum, participation, community support, and facilities. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by arts research firm WolfBrown.
(L-R) McKinney ISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt, Music Teacher Kara Nelson (Valley Creek Elementary), Band Director Brandon Fisher (McKinney High School), Choir Director Chris Ahrens (McKinney North High School), Orchestra Director Jeff Harvick (McKinney High School) at the McKinney ISD Board of Trustees meeting on August 18, where Nelson, Fisher, Ahrens, and Harvick accepted TAEA District of Distinction recognition on behalf of the district.
"McKinney ISD Fine Arts teachers—working in close partnership with parents and the broader community—have established a standard of excellence that is recognized throughout Texas and the nation," said McKinney ISD Director of Fine Arts Dr. Jared Critchfield. "Our educators' dedication to providing world-class experiences empowers students to grow artistically, academically, and personally. We are proud of our exceptional teachers who inspire creativity and achievement in every student every day."