News Summary
Chamlian Armenian School in Glendale rallies against the Department of Education’s cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools program. The school, previously recognized for its academic excellence, mobilized students to pen over 1,000 letters and gather more than 1,300 signatures in a petition urging reconsideration. This sudden cancellation shocked the community, with efforts now in place to restore the recognition that symbolizes decades of commitment to education.
Glendale, CA – Chamlian Armenian School has become the center of a student-led initiative following the U.S. Department of Education’s abrupt cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools program. The program, celebrated for acknowledging academic excellence since its inception in 1982, recognized Chamlian Armenian School as a recipient prior to its cancellation on August 29, 2025.
In response to the disenfranchisement, over 1,000 letters were penned by students to U.S. Secretary of Education and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, urging them to reconsider the decision and acknowledge the school’s achievements. Alongside the letters, a petition gathered over 1,300 signatures, advocating for the Department of Education to honor the selected schools of the 2025 cohort.
Chamlian Armenian School was distinguished from more than 130,000 U.S. K-12 institutions, being one of the approximately 300 schools selected each year for the Blue Ribbon recognition, which also includes around 50 private schools. The cancellation of this designation came as a shock to the school’s faculty and administration, particularly since they had prepared for the accolade for several months, investing hundreds of hours into the application process.
School Head Talin Kargodorian emphasized the significance of this recognition, noting it symbolized five decades of commitment by the community to promote educational excellence and was expected to enhance the school’s reputation, as well as aid in fundraising efforts. Particularly notable is the fact that Armenian schools have not received National Blue Ribbon recognition in over 50 years of service to the community.
The news of the program’s cancellation was unexpectedly revealed to Chamlian officials through a news article, just days after the announcement, leaving them without prior notification from the Department of Education. Prior to this, the school was tasked with preparing a 200-word description along with a photograph for inclusion on the National Blue Ribbon program website, a preparation that was rendered moot by the cancellation.
Artin Ghazarian, chairman of the Chamlian School Board, echoed sentiments that recognition should be based on educational merit and not influenced by political considerations. Despite efforts to seek clarity from officials regarding the cancellation, Chamlian students have not received any responses since reaching out.
The Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) also faced a similar situation, as spokespersons indicated that Clark Magnet High School was awaiting confirmation of its own Blue Ribbon status when the program’s cancellation was announced. Historically, GUSD schools had seen considerable success with this program, having claimed 10 out of 30 recognitions in previous years.
The Blue Ribbon Schools program serves as a vital benchmarking initiative aimed at motivating schools to strive for excellence in educational outcomes. Schools that receive this prestigious designation are typically recognized for their exemplary academic performance and commitment to fostering a positive educational environment. The cancellation has left many in the educational community pondering the future of such recognitions.
The Chamlian Armenian School community continues to rally in hopes of reversing the decision, demonstrating resilience and dedication to achieving the recognition they believe reflects their hard work and commitment to academic excellence.
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Additional Resources
- Glendale News Press: Chamlian Responds to National Blue Ribbon Cancellation
- ABC15: 6 Arizona Schools Receive National Blue Ribbon Recognition
- Los Angeles Times: Monte Vista Elementary Embraces Blue Ribbon Honor
- Wikipedia: National Blue Ribbon Schools Program
- Google Search: National Blue Ribbon Schools Program
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