Glendale, CA, September 27, 2025
News Summary
Students at Chamlian Armenian School in Glendale, CA, are protesting the U.S. Department of Education’s cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Over 1,000 letters were sent to education officials urging a reconsideration of the decision which affected several schools, including Chamlian, the first Armenian school to be nominated for this prestigious award. The community continues to rally for recognition due to their dedication to academic excellence, as seen through a petition that has gathered over 1,300 signatures.
Glendale, CA – Chamlian Armenian School students have launched a protest in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. The school, which had previously been selected for this prestigious recognition, is one of the many institutions affected by this decision.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program, established in 1982, celebrates schools with exceptional academic performance and overall excellence. Before the abrupt announcement on August 29, 2025, Chamlian was chosen from over 130,000 schools, with only approximately 300 schools receiving the award annually, including around 50 private institutions. This recognition was particularly significant for Chamlian, as it marked the first time an Armenian school was acknowledged in this way over its five decades of dedicated service.
In the wake of the cancellation, over 1,000 letters were sent by students to U.S. Secretary of Education and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, urging them to reconsider the decision and uphold the recognitions for the 2025 cohort. Additionally, a petition, which has gathered more than 1,300 signatures, calls for the Department of Education to honor the intentions of the originally planned awards.
The announcement of the program’s cancellation came as a shock to Chamlian administrators, who had recently prepared a 200-word description and photo for the Blue Ribbon program’s website, only to receive news of the cancellation through a media article shortly after the official announcement.
Chamlian School Head Talin Kargodorian expressed her disappointment about the program’s cancellation, noting the extensive time and effort the faculty put into preparing for the recognition. She emphasized that the award would have served as validation for the school’s long-standing commitment to academic excellence and would have bolstered fundraising efforts to support the school’s ongoing programs.
Artin Ghazarian, the chairman of the Chamlian School Board, commented on the situation, asserting that the decision to cancel the Blue Ribbon program should be free of political motivations. The Glendale Unified School District spokesperson also highlighted that other local schools, including Clark Magnet High School, were awaiting final confirmation for the program when the cancellation was announced.
This year, the Glendale Unified School District has a history of receiving recognition through the Blue Ribbon Schools program, with a noteworthy achievement of 10 out of 30 schools obtaining the award in previous years.
As of now, students from Chamlian School have announced that they have not received any official responses from the officials they reached out to regarding the cancellation. The community continues to rally for the recognition that they believe their hard work and commitment to excellence deserves.
Background on National Blue Ribbon Schools Program
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was initiated to acknowledge and reward K-12 schools across the United States that demonstrate overall academic excellence or progress in closing the achievement gap. Schools selected for this honor gain national recognition, which helps to enhance their reputation and assist in fundraising initiatives.
Significance for Chamlian Armenian School
The recognition from the Blue Ribbon program was anticipated to validate the perseverance and dedication of the Chamlian community over the last fifty years. The program’s cancellation is seen by many as a setback that not only affects the school’s future reputation but also the support it can earn from its community and beyond.
FAQ
What is the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program?
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, established in 1982, recognizes K-12 schools for outstanding academic performance or significant progress in closing the achievement gap among students.
Why was Chamlian Armenian School selected for the Blue Ribbon award?
Chamlian Armenian School was selected based on its exceptional academic performance and as part of a cohort chosen from over 130,000 schools across the nation.
What has been the community’s response to the cancellation?
The community has rallied together, with students writing over 1,000 letters to education officials and launching a petition that has garnered over 1,300 signatures, requesting recognition for the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools cohort.
Key Features of the Article
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Protest against the cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. |
| School | Chamlian Armenian School, Glendale, CA. |
| Students’ Actions | Wrote over 1,000 letters & created a petition with more than 1,300 signatures. |
| Program Cancellation Date | August 29, 2025. |
| Selections from | Over 130,000 schools; approx. 300 awarded annually. |
| GUSD Recognition | Previous years saw up to 10 out of 30 schools awarded. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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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