LOS ANGELES–In 2007, under the wise leadership and vision of Gabriel Injejikian, a group of dedicated individuals established the Ararat Charter Association and proceeded to work with Los Angeles Unified School District for its authorization to open a charter school situated in the heart of San Fernando Valley.
On September 22, the Board of Los Angeles Unified School District authorized the opening of Ararat Charter School. The school is fortunate to have its own campus at 6555 Sylmar Avenue, located in Van Nuys and will open its doors on August 31, for grades K-3. We are confident that grades 4 and5 will be added in subsequent years.
Charter schools represent a new kind of public schools, independently managed by its own Governing Board. The Governing Board members of Ararat Charter School are:
- Gabriel Injejikian – Founding Member/Chairperson of Ararat Charter Association and former principal
- Dr. Berjouhi Koukeyan – Chairperson/Former Superintendent of Public Schools, and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services
- Hermine Mahseredjian – Co-chairperson/Founding member, former school psychologist, professor and founder of the Armenian Studies Program at California State University, Northridge
- Vahe Markarian – Treasurer /Principal/Director of a LAUSD Charter School
- Ms. Shake Avakian – Co Treasurer/Founding member and school psychologist in LAUSD charter school
- Aida Tatiossian – Secretary/Coordinator of categorical programs, LAUSD
- Dr. Sylva Karayan – Member/Professor and Department Chair of Special Education, California Lutheran University
- Rita Mahdessian – Legal Advisor/Founding member and Secretary to the Ararat Charter Association
- Dr. Ani Shabazian – Member/Director and Professor of Early Childhood Education, Loyola Marymount University
What makes charter schools unique and such a popular choice for parents’ to-day is the fact that charter schools operate free from many of the regulations that constrict traditional schools. Thus, they have the potential to be exponentially more effective than traditional public schools. And as schools of choice, charter schools are held accountable for their academic performance and can be closed if they fail to maintain high academic student performance. If they are successful, charter schools often serve as model schools for the educational community both for individuals who seek to start charter schools, and for those who seek to change existing ones.
Since Ararat Charter School is a public school, it is tuition free and must accept any student who applies. It is only restricted by the total student body capacity of the school. If applications exceed the capacity, then a public lottery will be held to randomly select students.
The mission of Ararat Charter School lies in its commitment to educate students to their optimum potential and to do so in an environment that actively engages students in rigorous and relevant programs, promotes academic excellence and values cultural and linguistic diversity, and creative expression. Developing and nurturing the whole child is the primary objective of all Ararat Charter School programs.
What makes Ararat Charter School extraordinary is that the school will provide the following:
- A safe and secure environment
- Smaller school than most public schools
- Customized vs. standardized curriculum through smaller class sizes
- More educational time through longer day
- Quality after school programs
- Individual learning plans
- Rigorous academic content in Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies
- Fully credentialed teachers
- Visual and performing arts
- The integrated use and access to information technology
- Opportunity to learn multiple languages (Armenian and Spanish)
- Appreciation of different cultures
- Good habits of personal fitness and well-being
- Character education
The opportunity to attend this state of the art learning environment is available now. Ararat Charter School affords students the privilege of receiving academic programs and enrichment activities of the highest caliber, in an environment that not only is safe and secure, but one that is conducive to providing the highest quality of education.
Parents who are interested in enrolling their child/ren at Ararat Charter School should contact Ms. Aida Tatiossian, Board Secretary, at (818) 321-2462 or email: atatioss@lausd.net
The administrators expressed gratitude for the tremendous support that Ararat Charter School has received from the Trustees of the Ararat Charter Association, the Los Angeles Unified School District and the community at large.
Job well done Mr. Injejikian.
You finaly did it. Good luck and best wishes to the school.
It’s about time, we Armenians take advantage of what’s available and use it to our advantage.
We are encouraged by your accomplishment. The Charlie Keyan Armenian Community School of Fresno has considered this option a number of times and tabled it due to state restrictions on religious education amongst other issues. Do you offer religious education? If so, is it after school hours on campus? How does the state reconcile this issue?
PLEASE SAND ME A EMAIL ,HOW TO GAT THE ABLICATION FORM.
Parents who are interested in enrolling their child/ren at Ararat Charter School should contact Ms. Aida Tatiossian, Board Secretary, at (818) 321-2462 or email: atatioss@lausd.net