News Summary
Students and faculty of Chamlian Armenian School are voicing their discontent over the U.S. Department of Education’s cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools program. Having been selected for recognition, the abrupt decision has sparked protests and petitions, with over 1,300 signatures demanding reinstatement. School officials express disappointment and emphasize the importance of this accolade over the past decades for validation and fundraising efforts. The situation raises concerns about transparency from the Department of Education regarding the program’s future.
Glendale, CA – Students of Chamlian Armenian School are protesting the recent cancellation of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools program by the U.S. Department of Education. The school had been selected for this prestigious recognition before the program’s abrupt termination on August 29, 2025. Over 1,000 letters were sent by students to U.S. Secretary of Education and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, urging the reinstatement of the program and recognition for the designated schools.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools program was established in 1982, aiming to spotlight academic excellence in the United States. Each year, the program selects only about 300 schools from a pool of more than 130,000, including 50 private institutions. Chamlian was among hundreds of K-12 schools that were notified they would not receive recognition due to the cancellation, despite the extensive efforts put forth by its faculty and staff to prepare for the application process.
Chamlian School Head Talin Kargodorian expressed disappointment regarding the cancellation, highlighting the many months of preparation and the hundreds of hours that the school community invested in the application process. Kargodorian emphasized that this recognition was more than just an award; it was seen as validation of five decades of hard work by the community, aimed at enhancing the school’s reputation and assisting with future fundraising initiatives.
Moreover, Kargodorian noted that Armenian schools had not received recognition as National Blue Ribbon Schools over the past 50 years of service. The cancellation reached Chamlian officials via a news report shortly after the official announcement and without any advance warning from the Department of Education. Just prior to the announcement, the school was instructed to prepare a 200-word description and photo for the National Blue Ribbon program’s website.
In response to the cancellation, Chamlian quickly organized a petition, which has gathered over 1,300 signatures, calling on the Department of Education to honor the 2025 National Blue Ribbon School cohort. The petition reflects the strong feelings within the school community and shows their commitment to preserving the recognition earned.
Artin Ghazarian, the chairman of the Chamlian School Board, emphasized that the decision on recognition should not be influenced by political factors. Meanwhile, since the announcement, students from Chamlian have reported a lack of response from the officials they contacted about the cancellation, further deepening their frustration.
The Glendale Unified School District spokesperson indicated that Clarke Magnet High School, like Chamlian, was also awaiting confirmation before the program’s cancellation became public knowledge. In recent years, a significant portion of GUSD schools earned Blue Ribbon awards, with 10 out of 30 schools receiving this prestigious designation.
This situation has not only disrupted the celebration of Chamlian’s selection but also raised questions about the future of the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, especially regarding transparency and communication from the Department of Education. As the students continue their advocacy efforts, they aim to bring attention to the importance of this recognition and its implications for their school and the community at large.
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
Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of 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 from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana