Erebuni Armenian School (St. James Erebuni School)

Address: 97 Winterhouse Road, Belmont, MA 02478

Website: [email protected]

Tel: +1 781-883-4470

 

About the School

Established in 1988 by Armenian-American parents in Belmont, MA, Erebuni School originally focused on Eastern Armenian dialect instruction, aiming to preserve the linguistic heritage of the Iranian-Armenian community in Boston. In 2015, it merged with the Saturday school at St. James Armenian Church and became St. James Erebuni School, now offering both Eastern and Western Armenian dialects to students across the region.

Mission & Vision

  • Mission: To nurture an Armenian-speaking environment where students deepen their love for the language, heritage, and culture, while building literacy and oral skills in Armenian.

  • Vision: Upholding Armenian identity in the diaspora by fostering community leaders through continuous program improvement, qualified educators, and active parent involvement.

    Curriculum & Community

    • Utilizes engaging teaching methods that blend textbook learning with project-based instruction, such as music, dance, poetry, chess, and theater. 

    • The school fosters a warm, family-like environment with strong parent involvement—each class has a dedicated liaison and active PTO participation.

Program Highlights

  • Grade Levels: Preschool through 8th grade Language Education: Emphasis on immersive Armenian learning through hands-on activities, group projects, audio-visual media, and consistent spoken Armenian interaction.

  • Cultural Courses:

    • Music classes help students learn Armenian through song and rhythm 

    • History lessons (in higher grades) connect Armenia’s past with present events using multimedia teaching tools

      Policies & Community

      • Attendance: Strong expectations for punctual and consistent attendance, with cooperative engagement between families and faculty to support student success 

      • Tuition: Modest annual fees, with optional fundraising events and donations to support school operations including facilities, staff, and materials.

      • Leadership: Principal Arminé Manukyan leads the school with a focus on welcoming families and creating an optimal learning environment Community Feel: Parents and alumni describe Erebuni as “a big family” where children develop lifelong friendships and educators foster a caring, high‑standard academic atmosphere