News Summary
Chamlian Armenian School in Glendale faces disappointment after the U.S. Department of Education cancels the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Selected among a small group of schools, the cancellation was unexpected, especially after months of preparation. The school community, which invested significant effort in the nomination process, hopes to advocate for recognition while expressing their concerns about fairness and transparency. A petition has gathered over 1,300 signatures, pushing for the honoring of nominated schools before the abrupt change.
Glendale, CA — Students and Staff React to Cancellation of 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program
In Glendale, California, students and staff at Chamlian Armenian School found their hopes of national recognition abruptly dashed when the U.S. Department of Education announced the cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. The program, founded in 1982 to honor outstanding academic achievement among K-12 schools, was officially canceled on August 29, 2025. This decision comes just days after the school was notified of its selection, highlighting the sudden and unexpected nature of the development.
Chamlian Armenian School Selected Among Hundreds Over 130,000 Schools
Chamlian Armenian School, located in Glendale, was among a select group of only about 300 schools nationwide to receive the nomination for 2025. Out of over 130,000 K-12 schools, the school was chosen based on criteria related to academic excellence and community engagement. The recognition was considered a prestigious honor, reflecting more than 50 years of dedicated effort by the school’s community. Annually, approximately 50 private schools like Chamlian receive this honor, which helps bolster their reputation and aids in fundraising and community support.
School Community’s Effort and Disappointment
Leading figures at Chamlian expressed disappointment upon learning of the cancellation, noting that the recognition had involved months of preparation. Hundreds of hours of work by faculty and staff went into completing the application process, which included writing detailed descriptions and gathering supporting materials. The school viewed the Blue Ribbon Award as validation of decades of community effort and a vital tool for promoting the school’s achievements.
The Unexpected Cancellation
The cancellation was communicated to Chamlian after the Department of Education issued a news article revealing that the program had been called off, with no prior warning or direct communication from officials. Before the cancellation was announced, school administrators were asked to prepare a brief 200-word description and a photo for inclusion on the program website, underscoring the abruptness of the decision.
Community Response and Advocacy
In response to the cancellation, students and community members organized a petition, which has garnered over 1,300 signatures. The petition urges the Department of Education to honor the 2025 cohort and recognize schools selected before the cancellation. Artin Ghazarian, chairman of the Chamlian School Board, called on officials to keep politics out of the recognition process, emphasizing the importance of fairness and acknowledgment based on merit.
Further Developments and Local Context
Since the announcement, Chamlian officials have yet to receive any responses from federal or state education authorities regarding the situation. The Glendale Unified School District (GUSD) also revealed that Clark Magnet High School was similarly awaiting confirmation prior to the program’s abrupt cancellation. Historically, GUSD schools have received numerous Blue Ribbon awards, with 10 out of 30 district schools earning the distinction in recent years, illustrating the significance of the recognition at a district level.
Background on the Blue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program was established to celebrate schools demonstrating high levels of student achievement, instructional excellence, and school improvement. Over four decades, it became a mark of prestige recognized by educators, policymakers, and communities nationwide. Its cancellation marks a notable shift, raising questions about ongoing recognition efforts for distinguished schools during this period.
As of now, Chamlian Armenian School continues to be recognized locally for its academic quality, even as the national recognition has been withdrawn. The school community remains hopeful for future recognition opportunities and continues advocating for transparent processes that honor deserving schools regardless of political or administrative changes.
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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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