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Armenian Sisters’ Academy Looks to The Future

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The Armenian Mirror-Spectator
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By Gabriella Gage

Mirror-Spectator Staff

LEXINGTON, Mass. — After 30 years of continuously serving the children of Greater Boston and now with the possible threat of closing well behind them, the Armenian Sisters’ Academy (ASA) is planning for the future with renewed dedication to their goal.

The Lexington-based Armenian Catholic school, founded in 1982 by Sister Alphonsa Bedrosian of the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, has reaffirmed its school mission and plans to expand the student body in the upcoming academic school years.

When the sisters considered closing the school, a coalition of alumni families and parents, led by the school’s advisory board, teamed together to keep the school open.

Advisory Board Chairperson Katrina Menzigian shared, “We wanted to show the sisters that the school was in demand in the Boston community and that the dedication to Armenian education still existed.”

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Menzigian said of the school, “It has been part of this community for over 30 years. The reality is we have turned out hundreds of graduates. The school has a place in the greater Boston community and a network of people with ties to the
[Armenian] Sisters’ Academies around the world.”

Rejuvenated by the local community’s enthusiasm, the sisters agreed to keep the school open.

The advisory board hopes that by continuing its operation, the school will reaffirm its original mission as well as generate a new vision for the future. Menzigian cited a plan to build up the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade class sizes, whose ranks had previously dwindled. This year’s class of fifth graders will have the opportunity to matriculate to the sixth grade in the upcoming school year.

The current advisory board members include: Chairperson Menzigian, Fr. Raphael Andonian, Vice Principal Mayda Melkonian, Armen Arakelian, George Barmakian, Ara Deirmendjian, Nageeb Diarbakarley, Armik  Hananian, Raffi Kotikian, Anahid Mardiros, Lalig Musserian and Shant Parseghian.

The advisory board — composed of a combination of alumni, current parents and parents of alumni, church representatives and faculty — works closely with the academy’s parent committee.

Menzigian said the function of the advisory board is to “support the vision of the school, its operations and act as ambassadors of the school in the community.”

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator

Moving forward, Menzigian said the advisory board will assume more involvement in “certain key areas such as public relations, fundraising, educational vision and supporting strategic planning for the school.” The sisters and teachers will continue to focus on the day-to-day academic and spiritual education of students and help to realize the vision for the future of school.

Menzigian said that one of the strengths of the school — as well as unique distinctions — is its membership in an expansive network of Sisters’ Academies around the world.

“The community outside the board is also very strong and made up of supporters from around the world and a strong parent network,” she said.

Adding to this global network, the alumni and families of alumni also contribute to the school’s enrichment. “There are a lot of ties from a generational standpoint,” said Menzigian.

The Armenian Sisters’ Academy has been granted accreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) and is a member of Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE.)

The advisory committee of the ASA has several events planned for the upcoming year, including their annual Valentine’s Dance on February 9. January 23 will mark the beginning of its open enrollment period for pre-K and kindergarten classes. The academy will also
host an open house for the entire school on March 3, providing potential students and families an opportunity to visit the school campus
and learn about its academic programs. Plans for the annual spring bazaar are also in the works.

For more information on the school or the upcoming open house, visit the school’s website at www.asalexington.org.

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