Before the founding of Hamasdegh Armenian School, the Washington D.C. community provided Armenian lessons to students at Roosevelt High School and later on in homes.
In 1967, a small group of dedicated leaders in the community, with the goal of preserving Armenianness and knowledge that an Armenian school was necessary to teach the language, created a committee who set the foundation for the one day Armenian school who would later come to be known as “Համաստեղ Հայ Դպրոց”. The founding members of this committee were
- Mr. Kourken Asadourian
- Mr. Haig Gakavian
- Mr. Onnig Marashlian
- Mr. Jirayr Haroutounian
- Mr. Sarkis Nazarian
- Mr. Levon Palian
- Dr. Barkev Kibarian
In 1967, the Arabian and Agnouni halls found at Soorp Khatch Church were built. In December of the same year, the Armenian classes began. Under the same roof, there was already an Armenian Sunday school for English speakers that already took place under the auspices of Der Dikran Avak Kahana Khoyan. In the 1976-1977 school year, the two schools merged into one. Per Mr. Kourken Asadourian’s suggestion, the school was named after the Armenian American writer, Hamasdegh (Hampartsoum Gelenian 1895-1966). In October of 1968, Hamasdegh School only had 17 students, 3 teachers and a principal. Over the years, the numbers of students grew as large numbers of families immigrated to the United States from the Middle East. The parent teacher association also formed in the future years.
Currently, Hamasdegh Armenian School has 91 students, 14 teachers, 2 substitute teachers, a principal, and an administrative assistant/treasurer. Classes begin mid-September and end mid-July. Students attend for 10 years, from pre-k to 8th grade. Every Sunday students begin their day in the Soorp Khatch Church Sanctuary for morning prayer and lessons from the Bible and about Armenian Apostolic church traditions and Holy Days by Der Sarkis Kahana Aktavoukian.
Hamasdegh Armenian School / Համաստեղ Հայ Դպրոց
Soorp Khatch Church
4916 Flint Drive Bethesda, MD 20816
Tel: (301) 229-6880
email: hamasdegh.school@gmail.com
Hamasdegh School
Last update: March, 7 2020
Hamasdegh Armenian School
Համաստեղ Հայ Դպրոց
Soorp Khatch Church
4916 Flint Drive
Bethesda, MD 20816
Tel: (301) 229-6880
School: hamasdegh.school@gmail.com
PTA Website: https://hamasdeghpta.weebly.com
PTA: hamasdeghpta@gmail.com
School year 2019-2020
Welcome to the 2019-2020 school year of Hamasdegh Armenian School! We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead.
The first day of school is Sunday September 8, 2019 at promptly at 9:30 am inside the sanctuary for morning prayer. This prayer is an official part of the school day and all students are required to attend every week at 9:30am sharp. Following prayer, the PTA will be hosting breakfast in the church hall followed by classes.
For students enrolling in pre-k, they must be 4 at the latest in October, and 5 in October for Kindergarten.
Fees
Tuition fees for the 2019-2020 school year.
- First student – $400
- Second student – $375
- Third student – $350
There will be a one-time $25 registration fee for first time students.
School Sessions
Students in Pre-K, Kindergarten, and first grade will be dismissed at 1:00 PM every Sunday.
Students in second through eight grade will be dismissed at 2:00PM every Sunday.
Please note that this is a change from previous years and plan accordingly.
Purpose
In addition to learning the Armenian language, children learn Armenian religion lessons, songs, literature, dance and participate in assemblies which commemorate major holidays, learn about Armenian culture, and make friends that last a lifetime. The academic year culminates in a year-end Hantes and graduation ceremony, which showcases all that the students have learned throughout the year.
Time and Place
Classes convene on Sundays and begin at 9:30 AM with a special service for children each week in the sanctuary. No lunch is served but children are encouraged to bring snacks to eat in class at designated times. School runs from September to June.
School Staff
Updated March 7, 2020
| Principal: | Janet Peltekian | hyejanet@yahoo.com |
| Pre-K: | Ella Abrahamian | dermella@yahoo.com |
| Pre-K: | Kayane Tatarian | ktatarian@outlook.com |
| Little Sprouts: | Alik Kandakarjian | |
| Kindergarten: | Noushig Tatarian | noushigt@icloud.com |
| Kidergarten assistant: | Sareen Tatarian | |
| 1st Grade: | Sareen koftikian-Olden | sarine.olden@gmail.com |
| 1st Grade assistant: | Mary Markarian | |
| 2nd Grade: | Lena Garabet | lkilejian@yahoo.com |
| 2nd Grade assistant: | Vana Kassardjian | |
| 3rd Grade: | Suzanna Harutyunyan | suz_stoltzfus@hotmail.com |
| 4th Grade: | Ani Shirikjian | la.sherik@verizon.net |
| 5th Grade: | Araz Kazanjian | arazkaz@yahoo.com |
| 6th Grade: | Elo Tanashian | elo.tanashian@gmail.com |
| 7th Grade: | Shoghig Tatarian-Aguilian | hayorti1@aol.com |
| 8th Grade: | Lena Tatarian – Damirjian | maratoug@hotmail.com |
| Armenian History : | Aram Hamparian | ashamparian@gmail.com |
| Religion | Kohar Aiwazian | kohar.1974@hotmail.com |
| Dance: | Alex Avaneszadeh | alex.avaneszadeh@gmail.com |
| Office Admin: | Antranig Tatarian | hamasdegh.school@gmail.com |