Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School

Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School
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Address
1615 North Alexandria Avenue Los Angeles, USA 90027
Coordinates
Information
Type	Private
Established	1969
Principal	Dr. Alina Dorian
Enrollment	1002 students
Website	www.pilibos.org

Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School(Armenian: Լոս Անջելեսի Ռոզ և Ալեքս Փիլիպոս ազգային վարժարան) was founded by Alex and Rose Pilibos in 1969. This school was first known as Hollywood Armenian School and is a K-12 school. Armenian language, history and religion classes are taught in Armenian, and the rest of the classes are taught in English. The school's current principal is Dr. Alina Dorian. The school is part of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church.

Notable alumni

• Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian and Shavo Odadjian of System of a Down attended the school at different times during the 1970s and '80s
• Sarah Leah Whitson, director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch.

Academics

The Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian school, one of several academic institutions under the auspices of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, is a college-oriented school accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

The school strives for academic excellence. As such, special attention is rendered to the curriculum, the integrity of which is never compromised. The school offers advanced placement and honors courses, as well as courses certified by the Regents of the University of California. Students at Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School are required to maintain a minimum academic standard (delineated below) in order to remain in the student body. Through numerous programs, including academic and guidance counseling, peer and teacher tutoring, individually tailored instruction, extracurricular activities, students are given ample opportunity to raise their academic standards to the minimum level mandated by the school.

New Students

Incoming students from other institutions must fulfill the following requirements in order to be accepted to the middle and high school.

• A minimum GPA of 2.0 for the last academic year at the former school.
• Satisfactory performances on a grade-level English language test administered by the school.
• No history of major disciplinary infractions. Probation Policy If, at the end of the semester, a student fails to meet any aspect of the criteria delineated above, he or she will be placed on academic probation during the following semester. The student’s probationary status will be fully explained to the parents. The student will not be readmitted to school, if, at the end of the school semester, he or she once again fails to achieve the minimum academic criteria required by the school and if retention or other alternatives are deemed inappropriate.

Programs

Athletics

The Rose and Alex Pilibos Athletic Department’s philosophy is to provide an atmosphere wherein student athletes are encouraged to reach their maximum potential, while maintaining sportsmanship and character. Leadership, teamwork, respect, hard work, sacrifice, and overcoming failure are qualities learned on and off the field.

Pilibos is a member of CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) and has placed and won a number of league championships. The athletic department is continuously expanding and improving its athletic program and continues to strive for excellence.

Pilibos offers training and teams in basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels. Our school participates with other Armenian schools in the annual KAHAM games, organized by Homenetmen and in various inter-school tournaments with other Armenian and non-Armenian schools.

Pilibos offers opportunities for all students who are interested in experiencing the benefits of athletic competitions and intramural sports.

Arts

The communication of one’s own beliefs is an important part of the philosophy of Rose and Alex Pilibos. Communicating these thoughts through art and music is especially important for the development and growth of students.

At Pilibos, music, drawing, dance, performance art, and other artistic programs are offered at different times throughout the year. Students are encouraged to explore their curiosity and creativity, striving to find and cultivate their artistic voice.

Pilibos continually strives to improve its arts program with the support and encouragement of parents, faculty, and its students.

Elementary

In grades K- 5, the arts are incorporated into the curriculum to encourage creativity and as a form of articulation. From visual arts, to performing arts, to art history, students are exposed to a wide array of art disciplines. The love and appreciation for the arts is instrumental in creating a well-rounded student and increasing pathways to learning. Students in each grade take one music class, one performing arts class, and one visual arts class. Some of the various forms of art students are exposed to are:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Collage
• Design
• Sculpting
• Photography
• Theatre
• Music
• Script writing
• Art history

Middle School

In grades 6-8, students are further encouraged to explore their creativity and cultivate their artistic voice. With a 360 approach, students are exposed to various disciplines of the arts and complete projects and lessons as they examine, cultivate, and explore all aspects of art. From graphic design, advertising, fine arts, illustration, product design, environmental design, photography, and film-making, students apply all these forms of art to specific assignments and projects geared toward a final project and show.

High School

In grades 9-12, students are encouraged to further develop their interest in the arts through elective classes. Whether students continue down the path of photography, digital media, music appreciation, or other classes, they can advance in their technical skills, develop a better understanding in their interested field of study, and further explore their passion for the arts.

Through real world projects, students learn to design, innovate, and cultivate their ideas.

Technology

At the start of the 2012 – 2013 Academic Year, Pilibos aims to increase the presence and usage of technology in the classrooms to aid in the day to day lessons, more progressive and innovative projects, and collaborative work among students.

With new computers in each classroom, Armenian Learning Labs, Smartboards, and iPads, we are using technology to span time and distance as students learn, design, and innovate new ways to communicate and develop their skills.

Extra-Curricular

Clubs

High School students organize and run clubs with the mentorship of a faculty member. They are responsible for drafting and implementing their club’s bylaws, agenda, and activities. With this kind of significant responsibility, the students strive and excel as leaders within the school and their community.

The Student Council is also an integral part of Pilibos. With student body president, vice-president, and cabinet members, they aim to involve the student body in school activities and programs, essentially boosting school spirit. They are also an active proponent of fundraising activities throughout the year. Most importantly, Pilibos students take responsibility and initiative in their own learning process; thus, enriching their school, along with their academic and social experience. Some of the various clubs at Pilibos are:

• Armenian
• Art
• Book
• Emergency
• Environmental
• Health
• Math
• National Honor Society
• Philosophy
• Student Council
• Table Tennis

Competitions

Students at Pilibos are also involved in various academic competitions that not only challenge them, but also provide them with real-life experiences. Some of the various Academic Competitions our students participate in are:

Academic Decathlon Armenian Quiz Bowl Junior States of America Mock Trial Model United Nations Science Bowl

Community Service

Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School encourages, supports, and facilitates each student’s involvement in lifelong community service endeavors in order to build a stronger Pilibos community, address the needs of our Armenian community, and the needs of our greater society.

The high school curriculum requires that students fulfill 100 hours of community service. This encourages and promotes civic responsibility and integrity and develops leadership qualities.

Students participate in various community service activities and organizations, such as:

• Vaghoohas Library Project
• Armenia Orphanage
• Hospitals
• Counselor In Training
• Political/Election Offices
• Armenian National Committee of America
• Armenian Youth Federation

Gallery

View of the school from Saint Garabed Armenian church

See also

• History of the Armenian Americans in Los Angeles

External links

• Official page of school