News Summary
Chamlian Armenian School in Glendale responds passionately to the cancellation of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program by the U.S. Department of Education. Students and faculty are advocating for recognition of their academic achievements, having initiated a petition and sent numerous letters to education officials. This recognition was significant for the school, symbolizing dedication and hard work cultivated over decades. The abrupt cancellation has left the school community feeling blindsided, and they continue to push for acknowledgment in the face of this setback.
Glendale Students Protest Cancellation of Blue Ribbon Recognition
Chamlian Armenian School in Glendale, California, is facing disappointment after the U.S. Department of Education announced the cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program on August 29, 2025. This decision has triggered a passionate response from students and faculty, who are urging recognition for their hard work and accomplishments.
Prior to the program’s cancellation, Chamlian Armenian School had been selected among a competitive pool of over 130,000 schools nationwide. Of those, the program only recognizes approximately 300 schools annually, of which about 50 are private institutions. The Blue Ribbon recognition was not only a symbol of academic excellence but also an affirmation of the school’s dedication to educational achievement and community effort over its 50 years of operation.
In a bid to show their support, students wrote more than 1,000 letters addressed to U.S. Secretary of Education and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Their efforts are part of a broader initiative to advocate for the Department of Education to reconsider its decision. Concurrently, a petition was launched by Chamlian, gathering over 1,300 signatures in support of honoring the 2025 National Blue Ribbon School cohort.
School officials were preparing materials for the program website, including a 200-word description of the school and photographs, when they were informed of the cancellation through news reports, rather than direct communication from the Department of Education. This abrupt notification has left many feeling blindsided, especially since the school had invested months of preparation and hundreds of hours of work from the faculty and staff towards this accolade.
Importance of Blue Ribbon Status
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was founded in 1982 with the mission of recognizing schools that demonstrate high levels of academic achievement or significant improvements in student achievement. For Chamlian, the recognition was more than just a trophy; it was anticipated to enhance the school’s reputation within the educational community and assist in fundraising efforts.
School Head Talin Kargodorian expressed profound disappointment over the program’s termination, highlighting that this recognition symbolized five decades of community commitment to education. The efforts of Armenian schools to gain recognition have been notably overlooked throughout their history, with no Armenian institution having ever received the Blue Ribbon accolade in over 50 years of service.
Responses and Future Prospects
Artin Ghazarian, the chairman of the Chamlian School Board, emphasized that political factors should not influence the recognition process. Meanwhile, since the cancellation announcement, students and school officials have noted a lack of response from the education officials they reached out to regarding the matter.
The Glendale Unified School District has also felt the impact of the cancellation. According to a spokesperson, other schools, including Clark Magnet High School, were awaiting confirmation of their recognition when the cancellation was announced. In recent years, numerous schools within the district have received Blue Ribbon recognition, with 10 out of 30 schools earning this prestigious designation.
As students and faculty of Chamlian Armenian School continue their advocacy efforts, the future of this vital recognition remains uncertain. However, their resolve to fight for acknowledgment of their educational accomplishments showcases the passion and dedication that define their community.
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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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MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
