First published in the Feb. 9 print issue of the Pasadena Outlook.
Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian recently visited Blair High and Middle School to learn about its highly acclaimed Armenian Academy and International Baccalaureate programs.
Krekorian toured the campuses and heard about the exceptional curriculum that both the Armenian Academy and the IB program presented to the community by teachers Norayr Daduryan, Madlen Manoukian and Eve Mekerdichian.
“I was so impressed by my visit to the Armenian Academy at Blair High School,” Krekorian said. “The founders of the academy, in partnership with Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Brian McDonald and the Pasadena Board of Education, have created an extraordinary and unique educational institution. The academy promotes excellence while also preserving the Armenian language and culture, and it is a great asset for Pasadena and our region.”
Blair’s Armenian Academy is a successful program that attracts students both regionally and internationally. The academy has students representing 17 cities and numerous countries, including Poland, Lebanon and Armenia.
McDonald helped spearhead this innovative program.
“It was a pleasure to have L.A. City Council President Krekorian visit the Armenian Academy,” the superintendent said. “His visit affirms the fact that this historic Armenian program is providing our students with a quality learning experience and the word is getting around. We are proud of the academy’s efforts to further the Armenian language and culture in our community.”
In 2021, the International Baccalaureate Armenian Literature course was approved by the International Baccalaureate Organization. The first few trailblazing students who took the course were the first in the nation to do so. Their results all included perfect and near-perfect scores.
One of those students, Armenian Academy senior and IB diploma candidate Daron Yacoubian, believes that in addition to his academy experience, the IB education has prepared him well for life’s journey.
“I feel that with IB, you are always being tested and challenged as a thinker,” Yacoubian said. “IB is really preparing me for life because in life you never really know when your next test is going to be and it is always about that mindset on how to approach the challenges.”
Blair Principal Amy McGinnis added: “The Armenian Academy is the ideal complement to Blair’s IB Program. The cultural and language components of the AA directly contribute to the IB mission of developing globally minded students.”
Maro Yacoubian, founder of the Armenian Academy and chair of the AA Advisory Board was delighted but not surprised to see Krekorian’s interest in Blair.
“Blair is experiencing a renaissance of sorts. The Armenian Academy is attracting students both regionally and internationally,” he said. “Together with the prestigious International Baccalaureate Program that Blair offers, parents would be hard-pressed to find a more challenging, enriching and rewarding environment for their children, all with free tuition.”
At PUSD, students from preschool to high school can master academics in English and one of four target languages (Spanish, French, Mandarin, or Armenian). To learn more about PUSD’s Dual Language Immersion and World Language programs, visit pusd.us/dlip.
Families who wish to enroll for the first time in dual language immersion programs in 2023-24 must submit an open enrollment application. Those who live within PUSD’s boundaries had the opportunity to apply through the first lottery of open enrollment at pusd.us/enroll. Families who live in another school district may request an interdistrict permit starting March 27.
