The Manoogian School’s Academic Programs

The AGBU Alex & Marie Manoogian School offers a tuition-based Pre-K program to help prepare children for their academic journey and a tuition-free K-12 program to prepare students for college and careers. Everyone is welcome!

Pre-K Program
K-12 Charter 
STEAM Center
Armenian Program
Elementary School
Middle School
High School Program
Manoogian Educators

We pride ourselves on providing our students with academic freedom, opportunities for intellectual enrichment, and collaborations with universities and organizations. Unlike other schools in the area, our students are exposed to diverse cultures within our community where they can learn about, and from, a variety of global perspectives. 

Our Pre-K Program

The A.G.B.U. Alex & Marie Manoogian School provides a tuition-based Pre-Kindergarten program for three and four-year-olds through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredited program. 

In our Pre-K classrooms, students learn English and Armenian and both alphabets. They will also learn to follow classroom instruction and guidance, while they receive an age-appropriate STEAM education.

M-Galine Bush-472X315

"Our experience with the Pre-K program at Manoogian has been excellent. The warm and caring teachers create an atmosphere that children love to be part of. Preschool builds a foundation for math, reading, social skills and so much more. Three and four-year-olds are full of curiosity and the preschool program at Manoogian helps them develop lifelong skills.

"As an alumni of the Manoogian school, the choice to send my kids to Manoogian was an easy one to make!"

Galine Bush

Pre-K Parent

Our K-12 Tuition Free Program

The A.G.B.U. Alex & Marie Manoogian School delivers a world-class academic program that gives students a diverse background in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). This STEAM education prepares students for higher education and their future careers. We currently offer non-tuition classes for students in grades K-12. 

The Manoogian School received a charter from Central Michigan University in 1995, accountable to CMU as our authorizer, our board of directors and our parents. We are one of Michigan’s oldest charter schools. This year marks 30 years with CMU serving as our school’s authorizer.

The Manoogian STEAM Center

In the fall of 2022, we opened the doors to our new $2M STEAM Center that deepens the educational experience for our students. The Manoogian STEAM Center features renewable energy technology and innovative state-of-the-art facilities. 

The of the STEAM Center is essential to the survival of our academic enterprise. It provides a model to be emulated by other school systems and will serve generations to come.

We’re committed to ensuring that the Manoogian School leads the way in graduating students who combine literary mastery with extraordinary, high technology expertise. Our new STEAM Center serves as the science and technology hub for our entire K-12 student body.  

The Manoogian STEAM Center is funded by the Manoogian Educational Fund (administered by its President Dickran Kurjian) and the Armenian Apostolic Society.

Our STEAM Program’s History

We appreciate the guidance and support of Lawrence Technological University (LTU) as our high school implemented the following programs and competitions, in support of our engineering, science and technology curriculum:

  • 2013 – Advanced Placement Courses begin
  • 2014 – First Solar Car–Our first hands-on student STEAM project
  • 2015 – PLTW (Project Lead the Way) Human Body Systems Robotics
  • 2016 – Automotive Engineering and Annual Competitions 
  • 2017 – Secured 3D Printers, offered initial CAD courses and began Dual Enrollment for STEAM courses at LTU 
  • 2018 – PLTW Computer Science and PLTW Engineering Design 
  • 2019 – First Robotics International Competitions–First Place Rookie Award in Robotics Electric Car showcased at Detroit Auto Show 
  • 2020 – Request for STEAM Building 
  • 2020 – 2021 – Continued all of the above programs despite the pandemic
  • 2021 – Groundbreaking of Manoogian STEAM Building
  • 2022 – Grand opening of the STEAM Center

We wish to acknowledge the leadership of Dickran Kurjian, Dr. Hosep Torossian, Consulting Executive Mark Perry, and the Apostolic Society for the heroic number of hours of devoted attention they provided in bringing about this unparalleled academic triumph for our scholars and our future.

Our Armenian Program

To fulfill A.G.B.U. Alex and Marie Manoogian school’s mission and the vision of our benefactor and the founder of our School, Mr. Alex Manoogian, we teach Armenian language, history, literature, and culture. With a well defined K-12 program based on Michigan World Languages Standards and Benchmarks, we address the needs of our students in three proficiency levels: Novice, Intermediate, Pre-Advanced. Proficiency is further defined as low, mid, or high. Students’ proficiency in Grade 12 is directly related to the amount of sustained instruction that they have in the Armenian language. Students who study Armenian beginning in Kindergarten, and continue an uninterrupted sequence of study throughout 12th grade, will have a strong command of the language. 

Our School’s Armenian language teachers are native speakers, experienced educators with a high level of language proficiency, and certified to teach Armenian in Michigan; moreover, they are able to tailor their language to the level of their learners.

As part of our emphasis on Armenian culture, every two years, a group of 11th and 12th grade students and two or three faculty members make a trip to Armenia, bringing the mission and vision of the school full circle. Our students enjoy taking in all the sites and experiencing the cultural activities they have studied while attending The Manoogian School.

Our Elementary Program

Our elementary program delivers an age-appropriate STEAM education with a focus on ELA, math, science, and social studies. We also offer courses and extra-curricular activities in the arts including design, dance and choir.

We also offer a F.A.S.T. program that teaches students the foundations of analysis, synthesis and translation. This program encourages and stimulates reading abilities through auditory, visual, and kinetic learning.

We also provide the RAZ K-5, a highly-interactive literacy program that allows students to read and progress at their own pace and reading level. It’s another way we make learning to read both challenging and enjoyable for our students.

Our Middle School Program

Middle school is a critical transitional time for students, when they’re determining their talents and career interest, in preparation for high school, college and eventually, career. At the Manoogian School, we support each student’s exploration and offer personalized learning opportunities to help them develop their unique interests.

Middle school students have the opportunity to engage in STEAM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics – in a research-rich environment of the new Manoogian STEAM Center. They are also provided with opportunities to participate in courses and activities related to the arts including design, dance and choir

Our High School Program

The AGBU Alex & Marie Manoogian School, established in 1969 and rechartered by Central Michigan University in 1995, offers a dynamic academic program that marries a strong emphasis on Armenian cultural heritage with a robust STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) curriculum. This unique program supports students from K-12, ensuring they receive a comprehensive education that prepares them to be responsible, well-rounded citizens capable of making a significant impact in the world.

Our high school students benefit from personalized learning in small classroom settings, allowing for tailored attention to each student’s educational, social, and emotional needs.

The program includes dual enrollment opportunities with prestigious institutions such as Lawrence Technological University, Central Michigan University, and Oakland Community College, where students can earn college credits while still in high school. This enriches their learning experience and gives them a competitive edge in higher education and future careers.

In addition, the high school curriculum is enhanced by advanced placement courses and specialized programs like Project Lead the Way, which offers courses in Human Body Systems and Computer Principles. Students can engage in these advanced courses, gaining both high school and college credits. This underscores the school’s commitment to providing a high-caliber education that equips students with the skills needed for success in a rapidly evolving world.

Many Manoogian School graduates are accepted into Big 10 and Ivy League colleges, receiving full four-year scholarships to top universities across the country.

Parents Share Their Manoogian Experience

Our Manoogian School Educators

The A.G.B.U. Alex & Marie Manoogian School educators are the heart of our organization. Since we first opened our doors in 1969, as a private school with ten students and two teachers, our teachers have worked tirelessly to challenge our scholars with a rigorous curriculum, delivered in an environment that supports them academically, socially and emotionally.

What Our Teachers Say About The Manoogian School

At Manoogian, teachers can build meaningful relationships with their students, helping them to grow and develop as students and citizens to a greater degree than is seen in most schools. I look forward to coming in everyday knowing that I am making a positive difference in the lives of my students. However, the real quality of our school is reflected in the success stories of our past and future students beyond high school. They speak for themselves.

Mr. Erick Tracer

High School Teacher

I have always loved the Manoogian School- as a teacher, alumna, and as a parent. The Manoogian difference is the family-like atmosphere where teachers care for their students and families are familiar with each other. It is a pleasure going to work with my mother and teaching in the same school that my daughter attends.

Mrs. Lisa Sherkerdemian

Pre-K Teacher

Manoogian School is a school that welcomes everyone, where everyone - from faculty to student - brings something special. But the Manoogian School difference is the love everyone has and the willingness to help each other.

Marlene Pupa

Head Teacher, Middle School

I love the openness to new ideas and ways to explore our world and society. The students, parents and administration treat each other as family. The Manoogian difference is the personal and supportive culture we cultivate which increases buy-in of all stakeholders.

Mr. Ryan Maxwell

High School Teacher