About Us        KZV is an Armenian community-supported school. The Armenian Studies Program enables students to develop oral and written fluency in the Armenian language, as well as to study Armenian culture and history, and the current status of the Armenian nation in the homeland and in the Diaspora. KZV strives to instill a sense of pride in every student about his Armenian heritage and a desire to perpetuate his rich language and culture. The Armenian Studies department invites Armenian poets, writers, artists, musicians and other Armenians who have attained local or national prominence on a regular basis to visit KZV as guest speakers. The program holds several Armenian language recitation and general knowledge competitions a year. Students participate in Armenian language drama, and perform recitations and songs at holiday assemblies.

Our Mission        Our mission is to serve the Armenian-American community and the broader public by providing a high-quality academic program in which students are educated through a bilingual curriculum, becoming Armenian-Americans confident in their identity, fluent in English and Armenian, appreciative of both their cultures and well-prepared to become productive members of society.  Within the safe, nurturing environment of KZV, parents have a partner in raising articulate, well-rounded children, committed to strong values, personal achievement, and progress for their community and humanity.

School's History     The Krouzian-Zekarian-Vasbouragan Armenian School was founded in 1980 under the auspices of St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church of San Francisco and through the generosity of many visionary individuals. The Elementary School was named in honor of its original benefactors, Mr. and Mrs. Krikor Krouzian and Mr. Carl Zekarian. In September of that year 33 students made up the first pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and first grade of the new school. A new grade was added each year. In 1985 a second floor was constructed to make room for the first sixth grade of the new Middle School. It was named for the ancestral homeland, Vasbouragan, of the principal Middle School benefactor, Mr. Hratch Tarpinian.

1980 - First day of classes - 33 students

1985 - Completion of 2nd story, middle school

1988 - First KZV graduating class

1996 - First WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation

1994 - Establishment of full scale computer lab

2003 - Second WASC accreditation with highest 6-year, no audit limit

2005 - 25th anniversary celebration

2008 - 28th Annual Banquet. Guest speaker Vartan Gregorian PhD

KZV Armenian School Profile Summary        KZV Armenian Elementary and Middle Schools were founded in San Francisco in 1980. The school operates under the auspices of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, which has its headquarters in Los Angeles, California. The school’s K – 8^th grades curriculum meets the academic standards adopted by the California Department of Education. KZV aims to provide a high quality educational environment in which students are educated through a bilingual curriculum to become Armenian-Americans confident in their identity and heritage, fluent in both English and Armenian, appreciative of their cultures, and well prepared as members of the American society. High academic standards are coupled with a commitment to develop the whole child in a Christian and family-like atmosphere.

            KZV Armenian School offers a challenging and competitive educational program with a keen sense to meet the academic needs of each child. The school prides itself on making Armenian Language and History integral to a rigorous curriculum which also includes subjects such as Science, Mathematics/Algebra, English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Computer Sciences. In addition, other key subjects such as Physical Education, Health, Music, Drama, and Art, emphasize the school’s commitment to helping students meet the challenges of the future. In other words, KZV’s curriculum not only aligns itself with the standards stipulated by the Armenian Church of the Prelacy, but also meets the curricular demands and requirements of the state of California.

            To achieve the school’s mission of a balanced education for every student, KZV makes sure to maintain a distinguished faculty. The school prides itself on the diverse educational backgrounds and talents of its faculty. The principal and teachers hold degrees from accredited colleges and universities of the world, many speaking two or three different languages fluently, and most holding California teaching credentials. The members of the faculty work collaboratively by attending workshops, sharing ideas, and by communicating effectively with the administration, with their own peers, and with KZV parents. To ensure student success, the KZV’s faculty communicates regularly with their students, providing them with knowledge of their strengths and areas of need, in order to encourage students to apply themselves fully to their education.

            The KZV student body is comprised of students from families within the Bay Area Armenian Community who support and recognize the school’s efforts to offer a bilingual education that includes instilling a love for the Armenian culture and identity. The students come from a variety of different countries, including Lebanon, Armenia, Iraq, Iran, and Russia. KZV graduates are accepted amongst the most highly regarded secondary private and public schools. Many go on to graduate from four year colleges and universities.

            Parents that send their students to KZV are as diverse as the students. KZV parents work in a variety of professions such as business, engineering, medical, and law professions. Most of the parents are college educated. These well-educated parents are a major asset to KZV. The parents are very active in the KZV community as they contribute time, money, and ideas to the school.

            To support KZV financially, the school relies on an annual budget of $1,228,700. The school receives nearly two-thirds of its operating funds from tuition, with the remainder being provided by private foundations and fundraisers. KZV’s endowment, on the other hand, ensures the financial stability of the school, as only the interest is used for operating costs.

            KZV has a rich heritage and is filled with students, parents, and faculty that strive to uphold the school’s mission of providing a bilingual and meaningful education for its families.

 

             

EXPECTED SCHOOlWIDE LEARNING RESULTS 
(Revised 2008)

Krouzian Zekarian Vasbouragan School

KROUZIAN ZEKARIAN VASBOURAGAN ARMENIAN SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE:

 CULTURALLY EMPOWERED INDIVIDUALS WHO:

·          value their Armenian-American identity, traditions, and heritage.

·          understand and appreciate Armenian literature, history, religion, and culture.

·          learn and appreciate the diversity of other peoples and cultures.

 ACADEMICALLY PREPARED LEARNERS WHO:

·          demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and conversing in Armenian and English.

·          emonstrate proficiency in mathematics, science, and social studies.

·          possess the knowledge and skills to pursue a secondary education.

·          understand that learning is not limited to school grounds.

 CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKERS WHO:

·          apply strategies to solve problems in a variety of disciplines.

·          collaborate to achieve a desired outcome.

·          understand and apply technology effectively and responsibly.

·          analyze and synthesize information from diverse sources.

 SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS WHO:

·          demonstrate Christian values and ethics, guided by the teachings of the Armenian-Apostolic church.

·          understand the importance of physical and emotional well-being.

·          demonstrate fairness, respect, compassion, cooperation, and service.

·          promote the well-being of local and global communities.