St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School

History & Community Mission

Founded in 1984, SSAES began as a private bilingual preschool serving just eight children. It added one grade per year, with its first graduating class in 1991. Since then, the school has grown into a fully accredited Armenian-American institution serving Preschool through Grade 5, now numbering about 190 students.

In 2003, SSAES became the first and only Armenian-American school in New England to be accredited by the Association of Independent Schools in New England (AISNE). Accreditation was reaffirmed in 2024, affirming its academic standards and community impact.

The school is closely affiliated with St. Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church of Greater Boston, situated within the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center, anchoring it in the largest Armenian diaspora community on the East Coast.

Mission & Values

SSAES blends a rigorous American academic curriculum with Armenian language, religion, history, and culture. Its mission emphasizes:

High-quality academic standards aligned with American education
Strong Armenian identity and bilingual fluency
Holistic child development through a nurturing, warm learning environment
Leadership, self-esteem, responsibility, and compassion in every student

Low student–teacher ratios allow for individualized instruction and meaningful relationships between students and educators.

Academics & Student Profile

Grade Levels: Preschool (ages 2 years, 9 months) through 5th grade
Class Size & Enrollment: Approximately 190 students, with student-teacher ratios between 7:1 and 14:1, depending on grade level.
Standardized Performance: Students consistently score in the top 10–20% nationwide on the CTBS (Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills).

Preschool Program: Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) and accredited by AISNE, the preschool offers bilingual Armenian-English early education with play-based, thematic learning and outdoor experiences.

Leadership & Faculty

Head of School: Dr. Garine Palandjian, appointed July 2023. Holds a PhD in Educational Policy and Evaluation and brings global and Armenian educational expertise.
Principal Emerita: Houry Boyamian, longtime leader from 1988–2023, was instrumental in SSAES earning its AISNE accreditation and broader recognition in the community. She holds major community awards including the Mesrob Mashdots Medal and Queen Zabel Medal.

Faculty members include certified specialists in reading, Armenian language, and elementary education. Many staff contribute decades of experience and bring high academic credentials.

Key Highlights & Activities

Annual Fifth-Grade Trip to Armenia is integrated into the curriculum as a capstone experience for cultural immersion.
Strong STEM foundation: the school pioneered adoption of Ubuntu open-source software, launched STEM expositions, and interactive science learning in the early 2000s.
Recognized multiple times for its community engagement, cultural preservation, and academic excellence by both Armenian and Massachusetts institutions.

Recent Events & Context

In September 2023, a politically charged note referring to Artsakh was found on the church sign, drawing attention to community safety concerns. The school and church reinforce unity and support for Armenian heritage in response.

St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School