That is a huge commitment to music so no wonder they are able to make such progress! DS/DD's middle school had about 4 hours a week before they changed to A/B/C/D schedule and got only about 2 hours a week although Honior Band/Orchestra (clubs) added another hour a week.
Well it is an arts school. So I guess they should be. I didn’t mention that before? It was by audition but you didn’t have to be playing in 5th grade. He played a couple of pieces on the recorder and they had other activities to test your musicality and potential. But other kids are already playing an instrument and they audition on that. You can audition on the piano or guitar but you get another instrument if you go.
