Armenian Mesrobian School

Armenian Mesrobian School
Established	1965
School type	private
Location	Pico Rivera, USA
Enrollment	239 students

After its initial beginnings as a Saturday school in Montebello teaching the Armenian language and culture, Armenian Mesrobian School was founded in 1965. The first year, the student body totaled 65 and classes included kindergarten through third grades. One grade level was added each year, and as the number of grades and the student population increased, the building was added on to and expanded. The first high school senior class graduated in 1975.

Until 1984, the school occupied its original campus on Beverly Road. Then the school moved to a leased facility in the El Rancho Unified School District. Mesrobian relocated in 1997 back to the original school site after a massive effort on the part of individuals and organizations within the community resulted in the complete renovation of the campus. Mesrobian offers a comprehensive educational program, accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, to students ranging from early childhood education through twelfth grade. The college preparatory high school classes are certified to the University of California, and honors or Advanced Placement classes are offered in Armenian, English, mathematics, science, and social sciences. Mesrobian is a K-12 private Armenian School. Hilda Saliba is the school's principal.

Athletics:

Mesrobian Varsity teams have been recognized for their athletic prominence. Mesrobian is a member of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and plays in the International League of the CIF Southern Section. Before joining the International League in 1999, Mesrobian played in the Valley League. Mesrobian has won league championships in boys and girls basketball, girls volleyball, and boys soccer. Mesrobian, the first Armenian High School in the United States, has won dozens of academic and sportsmanship accolades since its opening in 1965.

Athletic Director Johnny Nashunian is a member of the High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Boys Basketball Highlights:

In 2003, Mesrobian won 19 games while becoming the first Armenian High School boys basketball team to reach the Division VA Semifinals.

On February 11, 2003, Mesrobian made basketball headlines in their 114-47 victory against Los Angeles Pacific Christian. Senior captain and All-CIF guard Tigran Grigorian dialed in a school-record 11 three pointers and scored a California-record 100 points in the Bulldogs’ victory. Grigorian received recognition and accolades for his historic performance. Grigorian, the International League MVP, finished the regular season averaging a Southern California-best 34.5 points per game while leading Mesrobian to their third straight International League Championship. Cal-Hi Sports named Grigorian to the All-State Division V team.

On February 24, 2004, Mesrobian defeated Arcadia Rio Hondo Prep 54-47 to reach the Division VA Quarterfinals. All-CIF Senior Arakel Poladian converted 13 of 15 free throws to secure the victory. The victory marked the first time that Mesrobian reached at least the Quarterfinals in consecutive seasons.

On January 26, 2007, Mesrobian's boys basketball team defeated league-rival LaVerne Calvary Baptist 76-59, securing the Bulldogs’ first playoff appearance in three years. Mesrobian's memorable season ended with a loss to Granada Hills Hillcrest Christian in the first round of the Division IVA playoffs.

Mesrobian finished the 2007-08 basketball season with a record of 15-7, including a 10-2 record in International League play. Senior Albert Kakoyan guided the Bulldogs to the Division IVA playoffs by averaging a league-best 23 points per game.

Mesrobian is 34-1 in their last 35 games when giving up less than 50 points. Since 2000, no Armenian School has won more playoff games.

Girls Basketball Highlights:

The 2003-04 Lady Bulldogs had their most successful season while winning their 10th league championship. In the second round of the Division VA playoffs, Mesrobian defeated Cal Lutheran 48-39 and reached the Quarterfinals for the first time. All-CIF Senior Mariam Dedeian scored 33 points, including all of the team's 24 first-half points, for the Lady Bulldogs in the historic victory. The victory snapped Cal Lutheran's 11-game winning streak. Mesrobians fairy tale season ended in the Quarterfinals with a loss to eventual champion Huntington Beach Liberty Christian.

For the 2003-04 basketball season, Mesrobian joined Redlands Adventist Academy as the only schools to have both their boys and girls basketball teams reach the Division VA Quarterfinals.

The 2006-07 Lady Bulldogs won seven of ten league games to reach the Division VA playoffs, where they lost to San Gabriel Academy.

External links

* [http://www.mesrobian.org/ Armenian Mesrobian School website]