School Leadership

We encourage students to develop a strong cultural and individual identity through a well-balanced curriculum of language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, computer science, art, music, and physical education.

Audrey Armoudlian

High School Principal, AGBU Alex & Marie Manoogian School, Southfield

Principal Audrey Armoudlian is a long-time AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian School community member. As a young elementary student, she attended the Manoogian School and, as an adult, has served on the AGBU Alex and Marie Manoogian Education Board. 

After graduating from Tufts University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Armoudlian worked as an upper school science and math teacher and was the Director of the Wilderness Program at Cranbrook Schools. She additionally holds a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University and is currently working on a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University. 

Since 2021, Armoudlian has been the Director of the STEAM Education K-12 at the Manoogian School. Furthermore, as needed, she undertook teaching responsibilities spanning Elementary STEAM, Middle School Science and Health Classes, AP and honors Biology, and Project Lead the Way Human Body Systems.

Sonia Kalfayan

Preschool, Elementary & Middle School Principal, AGBU Alex & Marie Manoogian School, Southfield

Sonia (Gigian) Kalfayan, born in Montreal, Quebec in 1961, is the youngest of three sisters, who have all pursued careers in education. After moving to Windsor, Ontario in 1977, Sonia Kalfayan attended the University of Windsor and earned her Honors B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Education.

Sonia began her career at A.G.B.U. Alex & Marie Manoogian School in 1987 teaching third grade until 1990. After taking a four-year break to raise her family, she continued at the school as the PreK-3 teacher for another 4 years while working on her master’s in educational leadership at Wayne State University. From 1998 –2016, she taught fifth grade and was head teacher of the elementary and middle school. In 2016, Sonia became principal of the preschool, elementary, and middle school.

Sonia is an active member of the P.T.O. She is also a member of the C.S.A.I. whose members were instrumental in the foundation of developing this institution in 1969 with Mr. Alex Manoogian as the benefactor. Sonia’s two children, Michael and Linda, both graduated from the Manoogian School, where they attended from Pre-K through 12th grade.

Accomplishments:

  • While Sonia was principal, the Manoogian Pre-School was accredited in 2017 and again in 2022 by NAEYC.
  • For two consecutive years in a row, 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, that the 3rd Grade Reading Law was in effect, 100% of the 3rd grade students who took the M-STEP all passed the English Language Arts for the 3rd Grade Reading Law.
  • Elementary and middle school students entered Lego and Robotics competitions. Of the 3 years that middle school entered robotics competitions from 2019-2022, the students made it to the States Level two of the three years.
  • Coding and CAD is being taught to all elementary and middle school students.
  • The Manoogian School M-STEP results in English Language Arts for 3rd-8th grade put the school in the top 10 schools in Oakland County with a score of 62.6% at or above benchmark including Advanced and Proficient levels for 2017-2018 school year.
  • The Manoogian Middle School earned the recognition of Best Middle Schools in USA News and World Repot in 2021.
  • In 2017-2018, Sonia was instrumental in AdvancED reauthorization.
  • In 2016-2017, Sonia undertook the 7-year CMU reauthorization contract. The Manoogian School received a Golden Apple Award for Academic Excellence for the MEAP results in 2000 for the 4th and 5th grade results.