News Summary
Chamlian Armenian School is disheartened by the U.S. Department of Education’s cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools program. The decision has left school officials and students frustrated, as they had prepared extensively for the recognition, which honors academic excellence. Over 1,000 letters from students and a petition with more than 1,300 signatures are calling for reconsideration of the cancellation, highlighting the school’s commitment to education and impact on the community.
Glendale, CA – The Chamlian Armenian School has been left in dismay following the U.S. Department of Education’s abrupt cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools program on August 29, 2025. The recognition, which is held in high esteem, was intended to honor Chamlian’s academic excellence after being selected from over 130,000 schools.
Upon learning about the program’s cancellation through a news article shortly after the official announcement, school officials expressed profound disappointment. They had recently engaged in extensive preparations, dedicating hundreds of hours of work by faculty and staff to meet the stringent criteria for the award. Chamlian was among hundreds of K-12 institutions that were denied the recognition they anticipated.
In response to the cancellation, over 1,000 letters have been composed by students urging U.S. Secretary of Education and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction to honor the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools. Moreover, a petition created by the school has garnered over 1,300 signatures, advocating for the Department of Education to reconsider its decision.
The Blue Ribbon Schools program, established in 1982, strives to recognize schools that demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. Annually, approximately 300 schools, including roughly 50 private institutions, receive this prestigious accolade. Chamlian’s anticipated recognition was particularly significant as it aimed to validate the school’s commitment over five decades to academic excellence within the community.
Chamlian’s school head articulated the significance of the award, emphasizing that, with no Armenian school receiving Blue Ribbon recognition in its 50 years of service, the cancellation is particularly disheartening. The intended recognition was not only a mark of excellence but was also expected to enhance the school’s reputation and bolster fundraising efforts.
Furthermore, despite preparing to submit a description and photo for the National Blue Ribbon program website, Chamlian was caught off guard by the cancellation, having had no prior notice from the Department of Education. This unexpected turn of events has left both students and faculty feeling frustrated and unheard.
The Glendale Unified School District spoke to similar circumstances as they mentioned another local school, Clark Magnet High School, was also awaiting confirmation before the program’s cancellation. In previous years, the district had a robust representation at the Blue Ribbon Schools program, with ten out of its 30 schools earning the award.
The reaction from Chamlian students and school officials has been vigorous, with calls for acknowledgment of their hard work and accomplishments rising in intensity. School board chairman and community leaders have emphasized that the school’s recognition should not be subjected to political influences. Since the announcement, the school has not received a response from the officials they contacted regarding the situation.
As the community rallies behind Chamlian Armenian School, the disappointment over the cancellation of the National Blue Ribbon Schools program underscores the profound impact such recognitions can have on educational institutions. The plight of Chamlian serves as a reminder of the dedication and effort schools put forth in pursuit of excellence and the unexpected challenges they face.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Discovering the Top Public Elementary Schools in New York City
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
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, 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 New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
