Sacramento, CA – The California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation today announced the submission of a formal letter to Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond urging recognition of Chamlian Armenian School in Glendale, California as a 2025 National Blue Ribbon School.
Chamlian Armenian School successfully completed the rigorous application process and was confirmed as one of the 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools—the nation’s highest federal recognition for academic excellence. The Council for American Private Education (CAPE) also included Chamlian on its list of honorees for the year, alongside two other California private schools. However, the Federal Government recently informed the school that the recognition was being rescinded, leaving students, educators, and families without the honor they had rightfully earned.
In the letter, signed by Assemblymember John Harabedian, Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, Assemblymember Nick Schultz, and Assemblymember David Tangipa, the Caucus Foundation underscored the urgent need for California to act:
“Students, educators, families, and the community have put forth a tremendous amount of effort to secure this prestigious award and we urge you to acknowledge these efforts by awarding Chamlian Armenian School as a 2025 National Blue Ribbon School recipient.”
Other states, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Alabama, and Connecticut, have already moved to recognize their 2025 Blue Ribbon honorees, with Connecticut creating a state-level program to ensure private schools receive the acknowledgment they deserve. Currently, California has no equivalent pathway for private schools, despite maintaining a state program for public school recognition through the California Distinguished Schools Program.
“Without action, California’s private school students, including many from historically underrepresented communities, will be denied recognition for their achievements,” the letter states.
The Caucus Foundation emphasized that California must demonstrate leadership by recognizing its 2025 National Blue Ribbon Schools, including Chamlian Armenian School, to ensure that students and educators are celebrated at the highest levels.
See the full letter here
