History

January 01, 2015

June 01, 1975

January 01, 1975

Expansion and Enhancement

During the following years the student enrollment continued to increase dramatically as Mesrobian's success story became known widely. Although these developments were gratifying, they did pose new problems. The School was built to house a maximum of 150 pupils. Even by 1967 the existing facilities were being severely strained in meeting the physical needs of the students while maintaining an educationally conducive atmosphere.

Once more the community was asked to accept new burdens. But this time things would be easier. After all, they had run this gauntlet before.

In 1968 the cafeteria was enlarged and housing was constructed for the resident caretaker.

From 1968 to 1970 a new wing, with eight more classrooms, was added to the original structure.

In 1971 a completely furnished laboratory was incorporated into the building.

In 1974 music and typing rooms, a student store and other facilities were created.

January 01, 1970

September 13, 1965

May 01, 1965

Preparing the Academic Foundations

And as the construction crews rolled up their sleeves, others began planning for the upcoming academic needs, the student body, the faculty, and the administration.

Certainly the buildings would be grand. But ultimately Mesrobian would be measured by what was behind the brick and mortar. Thus, it was necessary to establish a solid framework of quality in its educational programs and personnel.

In May of 1965 clergy and lay leaders, together with several educators, met to resolve the outstanding academic issues. The agenda included the appointment of a principal. After thorough evaluations of the candidates, the meeting selected a principal, who immediately undertook the task of recruiting the necessary faculty in time for the opening of the school. At the same time an Educational Council was formed to assist in the preparation of curricula and the operation of the School.

The Armenian media was following our community's campaign with avid interest. Students were being recruited by newspaper ads and house calls. Nothing was left to chance. The campaign was on.

January 26, 1965

Founding of the School

The site of the future campus was filled with a multitude of people, several generations of families, all with an air of great contentment and excited anticipation. It was a groundbreaking time, and that evening they would celebrate the event together in the church hall.

Details of the architectural plans were announced -- a two-story facility with twelve spacious classrooms, several offices, a dining hall able to seat hundreds, a kitchen that would be the envy of any cook, etc., etc. All for a projected budget of $300,000, of which one-third would be provided by the Armenian Educational Foundation.

The spirit of community cooperation was great, but so was the financial burden. However , by now the wheels were irreversibly set in motion, and although the securing of the necessary funds was difficult, it was achieved.

September 10, 1963

August 03, 1960

From Dream to Reality

Members of the School's Board of Governors undertook the search for a parcel of land on which to build the community's dream. Their tireless efforts bore fruit on August 3, 1960, with the securing of a three-acre site in Pico Rivera, for which the down payment was immediately provided by the A.R.F. Armenian Center.

The flame was lit. A Finance Committee was formed to embark on a community-wide fund raising campaign. These individuals' exhaustive efforts, including house-to-house solicitations, paved the way for securing the required financial resources. For their labor of love the five members of this committee were recognized by the community as the Founding Fathers of Mesrobian School.

The community was galvanized into action. Numerous banquets and special events were organized to compete the purchase. Finally, the parcel was fully secured, with title vested in the Armenian Apostolic Holy Cross Church.

January 01, 1951

The Beginnings

Mesrobian school was established much earlier than in 1965.

The year was 1951. A new academic institution, meeting weekly, opened its gates to a handful of eager students. The facilities were inadequate and with no permanence of availability. But the atmosphere was charged with a contagious optimism and hope.

During the following years the student enrollment steadily increased. Still, no matter how strong its foundation, a school meeting only one day a week could not satisfy the growing needs of a dynamic community, a community demanding an educational program that ensured Armenian self-preservation while facing the challenges of life in these United States.

Thus emerged the vision of a permanent academic institution, housed in facilities owned by the community, offering a program of daily instruction in not only the Armenian language, literature, history, culture and religion, but also a comprehensive curriculum as expected of all schools of the land.

There was a challenge never before accepted by any Armenian community in America. But these were people driven by a dream into new, uncharted waters. They were captives of man's strongest instinct, self-preservation.

And so it was that Mesrobian became the first daily Armenian elementary school in this country.

January 01, 1970