In 1984 a dream thought by some to be unattainable, became a reality when St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School (SSAES) opened its doors with eight students at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center in Watertown, Massachusetts.
With nearly 170 students, the school continues to grow for one simple reason, we have created a unique learning environment that combines the best of American education with a strong foundation in Armenian culture and language. The school’s accreditation in 2003 by the Association of Independent Schools in New England confirmed that we hold ourselves to high standards and are in compliance with the best practices of AISNE’s accreditation protocols. We are also proud of something that cannot be measured: our students are especially confident, curious and eager to learn. This is the result of our low student to teacher ratio and our talented and committed teachers who nurture and encourage every one of our students to perform to their full potential. SSAES is a traditional yet contemporary independent school that incorporates traditional values and state of the art teaching practices.
The success of our alumni in their post SSAES educational endeavors is a testament to their strong foundations set in a well-rounded education and development of strong study skills in an ever-changing world. The close bonds that our students develop with each other at St. Stephen’s continue long after their graduation, another intangible quality of our school that we are extremely proud of.
St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School’s Mission
- Provide a high quality Armenian and American education
- Develop a strong Armenian identity in each child
- Promote and nurture the Armenian language and culture
- Develop self-esteem and leadership skills in students
- Create a child-centered, nurturing learning environment that facilitates the students’ success
- Foster an intimate school community that encourages family involvement and connections
St. Stephen’s Armenian Elementary School Values
- The uniqueness of each child
- Armenian culture, tradition and history throughout the curriculum
- Kindness and compassion among all members of our school community
- High academic expectations while supporting the students’ social, emotional, and physical well-being
- Personal responsibility, self-reliance, cooperation, and respect for others
- A learning environment that encourages risk, exploration and critical thinking
Our Mission and Values are accomplished by
- Creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere, where each child is known, cared for, and supported to achieve
- Stimulating the students’ natural curiosity about the world and their environment through interactive activities and discussions
- Small class sizes enhance learning with low student to teacher ratio and personal attention
- Providing age appropriate instructional materials and technology to facilitate learning
- Developing curricula that celebrates both Armenian and American culture and history
- Providing school sponsored, social events that foster the relationships of students and familie