A team from AGBU Manoogian‑Demirdjian School in Canoga Park captured the 2025‑26 United States Academic Decathlon Small Schools Virtual National Championship, marking the Armenian school's inaugural national title. the squad out‑performed rivals from eight other states across ten subject areas , and three of its members claimed the top three individual spots.

AGBU Manoogian‑Demirdjian School clinches first national title

According to the competition report, the Canoga Park‑based school became the first Armenian institution to win a US Academic Decathlon national championship... The victory was sealed in a virtual format that tested participants in literature, math, science, economics, social science, art, music, essay, interview, and speech.

Andrew Gharibian, Sevag Vakian and John Mazedzhyan sweep individual rankings

The three standout students—Andrew Gharibian, Sevag Vakian and John Mazedzhyan—earned the top three overall scores among more than 200 competitors, as the source detailed. Their combined performance contributed over 30 % of the team’s total points, a margin that proved decisive in the final tally.

Winter‑break intensive study credited for historic win

Team members told the report that they devoted the December holiday period to a rigorous study schedule, tackling advanced concepts not typically covered in high‑school curricula. "We kept working through winter break to master the material," one student said, underscoring the extra effort that set them apart from other small‑school teams.

Will the school repeat its success in the 2026‑27 season?

While the championship has sparked excitement, it also raises questions about sustainability.. The report notes that the school has not yet announced whether it will field a team for the next academic year, leaving observers to wonder if the momentum can be maintained amid changing student rosters.

How the Small Schools Virtual format shaped competition

The virtual nature of the 2025‑26 contest allowed schools from distant states to compete on equal footing, eliminating travel costs that often hinder smaller programs. As the source explained, this format may have leveled the playing field, giving AGBU Manoogian‑Demirdjian a clearer path to showcase its academic depth.