AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School Opens Doors to More Families With Enrollment Expansion

For Armenian American parents hoping to give their children an education rooted in both academic opportunity and Armenian identity, finding an opening at their preferred school can be a challenge. AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School says newly approved enrollment capacity will allow it to welcome more families after years of operating at or near its limit.

The approval is a new chapter for the private Armenian school, which serves children from 18 months through 18 years of age. Applications are now open, with availability varying by grade level.

In comments provided to The Armenian Report, Head of School David Ghoogasian described the expansion as a meaningful development for families the school previously could not accommodate.

“For years, we have had wonderful families eager to join our school, and it has been difficult when limited capacity meant we could not welcome as many as we would have liked,” Ghoogasian told The Armenian Report. “With the authorization to increase our enrollment, we now have the opportunity to open our doors a little wider and welcome additional students and families. This is something we are genuinely excited about.”

The announcement comes as AGBU MDS marks 50 years of providing an education that combines college-preparatory academics with Armenian language, culture and values. For diaspora families considering the private Armenian school system, that combination offers a path for children to pursue their academic interests while building a connection to their heritage.

The school did not specify how many additional students it has been authorized to enroll. All prospective students must complete its admissions process, and the increased capacity does not mean openings will be available in every grade.

Ghoogasian said preserving the educational experience and the school’s sense of community will guide its growth.

“Our responsibility is to create an environment where students are challenged, supported, connected to their Armenian heritage, and inspired to discover what is possible,” he said.

“While opportunities for enrollment will continue to vary by grade level, we look forward to connecting with families who share our vision and values and exploring whether AGBU MDS is the right fit for their children.”

Beyond its academic curriculum, AGBU MDS offers competitive athletics, academic clubs, student leadership opportunities, and visual and performing arts programs. According to the school, international exchanges, internships in Armenia and community service initiatives give students additional ways to explore their interests and connect their education to the wider world.

For Armenian American students, those experiences can also extend cultural learning beyond language lessons and classroom discussions, creating opportunities to engage with Armenia directly.

The school’s newly opened Manoogian Simone Collaborative Center adds facilities designed to support hands-on learning across science, entrepreneurship and media.

Its Innovation Studios include a Medical Lab equipped with an Anatomage Table, complementing a second table in the high school’s laboratory classroom. A Founders Lab provides space for students to develop entrepreneurial ideas, while a Media Lab and podcast room support work in broadcasting, digital storytelling and media production.

The center also includes a modern library, an amphitheater and collaborative learning spaces. The school describes the facility as a place where students can apply classroom knowledge, work together and explore potential interests.

Those additions accompany an educational approach that emphasizes Armenian heritage alongside preparation for college and life beyond school. AGBU MDS says its close-knit community is intended to help students build confidence, character, leadership skills and lasting relationships.

For families exploring whether that environment would suit their children, the school will host an Admissions Fair on Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Prospective families can tour the campus and its facilities, meet educators and current students, and learn more about the school’s programs.

The event offers parents an opportunity to ask about grade-level availability and the admissions process while getting a firsthand look at the learning environment.

Ghoogasian said the prospect of welcoming more students comes with a responsibility to preserve what existing families value about the school.

“Our doors are opening a little wider, but our commitment to the quality, character, and values of our school remains unchanged,” he said. “Growth is meaningful when it creates new possibilities for students while allowing us to remain true to who we are.”

Families can RSVP for the Admissions Fair, learn more about admissions, schedule a campus tour or begin an application at agbumds.org/Admissions⁠. They may also contact Registrar Melissa Vardanyan at 818-883-2428 or mvardanyan@agbumds.org.

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