FAQs
General Questions
Q: How do I start the admissions process?
A: The Rose and Alex Pilibos admissions process consists of various steps and forms that must be completed and submitted online.
- New Student Registration Process
- Returning Scholar Registration Process
- Immunization Record
Q: Can I visit before applying?
A: The best way to become familiar with Pilibos is to attend one of our Admissions Open Houses (when available), engage in a virtual experience, or contact your grade level's Academic Director to schedule a visit. We encourage and welcome you to become as familiar with the School as possible. Don't hesitate to contact the Admissions Office by email at [email protected].
Q: Do you have to apply to attend an open house or tour?
A: No, our school tours and open houses are open to all prospective families. We offer private tours on school days throughout the academic year. Please visit our school page for more information.
Q: Where do we park when we visit the school?
A: Parking is available directly across the street on the south side (large Church lot) of St. Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of Hollywood. You may also park on surrounding neighborhood streets; however, please take note of parking signs that limit parking on certain days.
Q: When visiting the school, where do I check in?
A: All visitors must sign in at the front security booth to access campus. They then need to go directly to the main office for a visitor's pass, sign out, and return their passes to security when leaving campus.
Q: What are the school hours?
A: The campus is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Students need to be on campus no later than 8:10 AM and are dismissed at 3:30 PM. Seniors are dismissed at 2:35 PM during the first semester and at 1:10 PM during the second semester, allowing them the opportunity to take community college classes, participate in internships, or obtain a part-time job.
After-school care is available until 5:30 PM daily.
Q: When are applications due?
A: The deadline for registration application is divided into three windows- Early, Standard, and Late Registration. Please visit the following link to view the registration windows.
Q: What happens if an application is late?
A: Most spaces will be filled by students who apply by the Standard deadline or earlier, depending on the grade level and availability. After this date, applicants who begin their application process will be placed on a waitlist.
Q: What are my next steps if I'm placed on a waitlist?
A: If you are placed on a waitlist, we will contact you as soon as we have openings in the grade level for which you applied.
Q: How will I know that my application is complete?
A: Your application is complete once you have submitted all of the required registration forms, interviewed for your grade level, and paid for the registration application. If we see that you are still missing paperwork, we will email you. Please note that a complete application does not guarantee admission.
Q: Is an admissions interview required?
A: Yes, an interview is required for all new applicants to the school. Interviews are scheduled only upon the receipt of a completed admissions application.
Q: When do you release admission decisions?
A: Once all admissions requirements are met, the Admissions Office will contact you with our decision. Decisions are made on a rolling basis; however, we start communicating admission decisions closer to mid-April / early May.
If you have been placed on a waitlist, we will contact you about the next steps and the potential for moving forward with the registration process by late May/mid-June or as spaces become available.
Therefore, any interested family should not hesitate to accept a spot on the Waiting List. They may receive good news later on when/if spots become available!
Q: How will families be notified of admissions decisions?
A: Families will receive information on admissions decisions via email.
Q: Does Pilibos accept international students?
A: Pilibos does not issue the I-20 form for foreign student study and only enrolls students who intend to complete their secondary education at Pilibos through the 12th grade. We do not offer an English as a Second Language (ESL) program, so all students need to be completely fluent in English for reading, speaking, and composition.
Q: What if my child is homeschooled?
A: If your child is homeschooled, you must provide recommendations and evaluations from the people working with your child. In addition, include any documentation of the study topics, textbooks or books used, and an overview of the curriculum.
Q: How much is tuition and registration?
A: Registration is divided into three windows - Early, Standard, and Late - with corresponding fees. Please click here for more information about tuition & registration.
Q: Do you offer financial aid?
A: Yes. We offer financial aid to qualified applicants. Please refer to the tuition & aid section for further details on our financial assistance program and deadlines. Financial aid applications can be downloaded from our website.
Q: Do you offer both Eastern and Western Armenian dialects? If so, do I choose what class my child will be in?
A: As you complete the online registration application, one of the questions asks for your preference. If you are unsure which dialect to choose, we recommend you select the dialect spoken at home and/or among family to help ease the learning curve. If your child has taken Armenian classes before attending Pilibos, we recommend continuing with the same dialect.
Q: Does Pilibos offer bus transportation?
A: Yes! We currently offer a bus service to and from Glendale and Burbank for our 1st-12th grade Scholars. Bus transportation fees differ every year. You can find more information about our transportation by clicking here. More routes may soon be available.
Q: Does Pilibos have a lunch program?
A: Yes! Students may bring their lunch or purchase lunch through the school lunch program. We contract with MarbledLA to provide daily lunch services to our TK-12th-grade students. Their menu focuses on high-quality ingredients and offers options for various dietary restrictions.
Q: Is there a uniform or dress code?
A: Yes. All students in TK to 12th grades are required to be in full uniform. Check the Welcome Packet for full details. Appropriate dress is also required on designated free-dress days.
Q: What kind of curriculum does Pilibos follow?
A: Pilibos Scholars thrive in the comprehensive, college preparatory curriculum provided. The core curriculum consists of courses in English, mathematics, social studies, science, visual and performing arts, and foreign languages. Sixteen Advanced Placement courses and nine honors courses challenge students who can work acceleratedly. Our High School curriculum satisfies and exceeds the UC/CSU A-G requirements.
Q: How can I check my child's grades, attendance, and homework?
A: All Scholar academic and behavioral information is readily available to parents through our Infinite Campus Portal. Once your child is enrolled, you will be instructed on how to set up your parent account. Parents can contact teachers, look up assignments/ homework, obtain report cards, complete the annual registration application, and more through the parent portal. In addition, Google Classroom is utilized in classes to communicate better, distribute and submit assignments, and stay organized.
Q: How can we obtain school records (i.e., verifications, transcripts, etc.)?
A: All verification requests can be made through the online verification request form. Please allow 2-3 day's notice for any transcript or verification requests.
Q: How can parents get involved?
A: Parent volunteers are an integral part of the success of our school, both through events and activities. There are three official parent groups - the Parent Support Committee (PSC), the Pilibos Athletic Committee (PAC), and the Dads' Club. Elementary grades also have class parents who help organize class and grade-level communication and fundraising efforts. From assisting with programs, events, and community service to planning parent socials, there are many ways to volunteer.
Q: How can Alumni get involved?
A: There are numerous ways alums can give back. If you are not already listed, you can register on our site to be added to the alum list. You can volunteer as a guest speaker or a judge during science fairs, senior project presentations, and more. Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, and/or LinkedIn, and feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Elementary School Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is the birth date cutoff for Kindergarten & Transitional Kindergarten applicants?
A: Kindergarten applicants must be five years old by September 1 of the year they enter Kindergarten. If applicants turn five years old after September 1, they enter Transitional Kindergarten. If you have questions about this, please email the Elementary Academic Director, Lilit Nadjarian, at [email protected].
Q: Does my child need to participate in an interview, take an assessment, or meet other stipulations?
A: TK-5th grade applicants must attend a family meeting with the Elementary Academic Director and/or other administrators and teachers. The family meeting/interview process allows us to get to know your child and observe behaviors such as cognitive development, attention span, ability to focus, maturity, and positive social interaction.
The child will also be asked to complete assessments that mirror those given to our current Scholars. The assessments measure both academic achievement (learned classroom knowledge) and aptitude. Once we receive an application for admission, we will contact you to arrange an interview and testing for your child.
Q: When will our family meeting take place?
A: Applicant family meetings occur on school days/hours. We work with you to ensure that both parents and the child attend the family meeting.
In addition, we would like your child to bring with them something from home that is of great interest to them (or a picture representing it) that they can share with us. This could be a book, a piece of artwork, a picture of a family member or pet, a piece of memorabilia, or anything at all that is meaningful to them. This allows the child to share something that they are either proud of or that makes them happy and allows for authentic interaction among all.
Q: What is the daily schedule for an elementary schooler?
A: Elementary School is divided into Lower and Upper Elementary. The schedule for TK-2nd grades, lower elementary school level, consists of eight 40-minute daily classes. The schedule for 3rd-5th grades, upper elementary school level, consists of eight 45-minute daily courses. Both levels have three recesses: one in the morning, a longer lunch break/recess in the afternoon, and an additional recess toward the end of the school day.
Q: What types of classes will my child take?
A: All elementary Scholars take five core classes (Armenian, English, Math, Science, Social Studies) daily and elective courses, such as dance, PE, art, computer, music, and more.
Q: Will my child participate in DBL?
A: Yes. Lower elementary participates in design-based learning (DBL), a student-initiated and student-directed method of learning meant to ignite creativity and develop problem-solving strategies that integrate creative experiences into all aspects of the curriculum. You can find more information on DBL here.
Q: Does the Elementary School have a Student Council?
A: Yes. School-wide elections are held at the beginning of the school year. Upper elementary Scholars can run for office positions in their division, such as CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and VEO (Vice Executive Officer).
Middle School Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is the daily schedule for a middle schooler?
A: All 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade Scholars are enrolled daily in seven class periods. Each period runs 50 minutes long. They have one recess in the morning and a more extended recess in the afternoon for lunch.
Q: What types of classes will my child take?
A: Middle school core classes include English, Armenian, Math, Science, and Social Studies. In addition, all middle school Scholars will participate in exciting elective courses such as Theater Arts in grade 6, Creative Writing in grade 7, Speech in Middle School Academy, and Robotics and Programming in grade 8. All Middle School Scholars also take Design Works, Physical Education, Choir, and Religion.
Q: How will my child’s learning be assessed throughout the academic year?
A: In preparation for high school, all middle school Scholars will begin taking midterms and final examinations in the 6th grade. Their midterms will assess Scholars learning from the beginning of that academic year until the end of semester 1, which occurs in December. At the end of the school year, Scholars will only be assessed on the learning that took place in semester 2 (between January and June).
Q: Does my child have to volunteer or do any community service?
A: By the end of 8th grade, Pilibos Scholars in 7th and 8th grade will be able to complete 20 hours of community service both within and outside of school. They will receive a curated list of age-appropriate organizations where they can volunteer.
Q: What types of competitions will be available for my middle schooler?
A: Some fun, challenging, and engaging competitions that 6th, 7th, and 8th graders may participate in are the Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, Academic Pentathlon, Poetry Recitation contest, and more.
Q: Does Pilibos have student clubs?
A: Scholars are offered many school Clubs throughout the year. Scholars add new clubs every year as their interests expand and change. Some of the Scholar-led clubs include the Humanitarian Club, Publications Club, Environmental Club, STEAM, Armenian Club, Law Club, Art Club, etc. Click here for more information regarding our Scholar clubs.
Q: Does the Middle School have a Student Council?
A: Yes. Schoolwide elections are held at the beginning of the school year. Scholars such as the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and VEO (Vice Executive Officer) can run for office positions in their divisions.
Q: Is there a Math Diagnostic Exam?
A: Yes, all new applicants are required to take a Math Diagnostic Exam.
Q: Are there any advanced programs my child may be considered for?
A: Yes. The MAP (Math Advanced Placement) program exists for incoming 7th graders. Based on eligibility requirements detailed by the Math Department, 7th graders can be placed in Algebra I.
Q: What athletic teams are there at Pilibos?
A: The Pilibos Middle School Athletics program offers track & field, volleyball, basketball, soccer, table tennis, and chess. Athletes participate in competitions and tournaments with other schools through KAHAM tournaments and the Valley Christian Athletic League. You can find more information here.
Q: Do Scholars go on class trips?
A: Yes, our 6th-8th grade Scholars participate in trips and retreats as a class to further their learning, strengthen their bonds with their classmates, and provide opportunities otherwise not available in a classroom environment.
- 6th Grade: Sacramento/Fresno Trip
- 7th Grade: Mt. Rushmore
- 8th Grade: Washington DC/NY Trip
High School Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Is Pilibos a college preparatory school?
A: Yes, we are a college preparatory institution. Our rigorous college preparatory curriculum is meticulously designed to prepare Scholars for success at top-level universities. Each year, Scholars must enroll in five academic classes in the core subject areas of English, Math, Science, History & Armenian, as well as additional supplemental courses. In addition to the rigorous required curriculum, we also offer 16 AP-level courses and 9 Honors courses.
Q: What is the daily schedule?
A: There are seven 50-minute periods a day. All High School grade levels take the five core subjects (Armenian, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies) daily. Supplemental/elective courses rotate daily.
Q: How many AP classes does Pilibos offer in high school?
A: Advanced Placement Courses are offered in the following subjects:
- AP Human Geography- 9th Grade
- AP Psychology - 10th Grade
- AP World History - 10th Grade
- AP Chemistry - 11th Grade
- AP Biology - 11th Grade
- AP English Language & Composition - 11th Grade
- AP Computer Science & Principles - 11th Grade
- AP US History - 11th Grade
- AP English Literature & Composition - 12th Grade
- AP Statistics - 12th Grade
- AP Calculus AB - 12th Grade
- AP Calculus BC - 12th Grade
- AP Environmental Science - 12th Grade
- AP Physics I - 12th Grade
- AP Government & Politics United States- 12th Grade
- AP Studio Art - 12th Grade
One AP course is offered to 9th-grade Scholars.
Two AP Courses are offered to 10th-grade Scholars.
Five AP Courses are offered to 11th-grade Scholars.
Seven AP Courses are offered to 12th-grade Scholars.
Q: How many AP classes are Scholars allowed to take?
A: Scholars are allowed to take any of the grade-specific AP courses (1 per discipline). However, Scholars are encouraged to be selective in choosing which APs they enroll in and not take rigorous courses if they cannot commit the time and energy needed for each. We also require Scholars to take placement exams before they are allowed to participate in a class.
Q: How can I take an AP class?
A: AP Placement Exams are only required for high school Scholars who wish to take an AP course.
Enrollment in all AP and Honors courses is subject to the approval of the sponsoring department and the Scholar's performance on a diagnostic exam for each subject.
Q: Does Pilibos offer Honors courses?
A: Yes, we offer a variety of honors courses in high school. Honors classes provide an excellent range and depth of subject matter. Our Honors program is embedded in our College Preparatory courses. Scholars will stay in the same classes as regular Scholars, but they will have additional assignments, including tests, quizzes, and projects.
- 9th Grade: Honors English, Honors Armenian, Honors Biology
- 10th Grade: Honors English, Honors Armenian, Honors Chemistry
- 11th Grade: Honors English, Honors Armenian
- 12th Grade: Honors English
Q: How can I take an Honors class?
A: Scholars interested in taking honors classes are required to take a test. Upon completing an assessment, placement into an Honors course will be determined during the first weeks of school. Scholars' teachers will provide more information.
Q: Is there a Math Diagnostic Exam?
A: Yes, all new applicants are required to take a Math Diagnostic Exam. You can sign up to take the exam here.
Q: Does Pilibos have a volunteer program/requirement?
A: Yes, through the Volunteer Program, Scholars must perform 100 community service hours (off campus) and 20 service learning hours (on campus), which is part of our graduation requirement.
Q: Does Pilibos have student clubs?
A: Scholars are offered many school Clubs throughout the year. Scholars add new clubs every year as their interests expand and change. Some of the Scholar-led clubs include the Humanitarian Club, Publications Club, Environmental Club, STEAM, Armenian Club, Law Club, Art Club, etc. Click here for more information regarding our Scholar clubs.
Q: Are there academic teams/competitions at Pilibos?
A: Pilibos offers the opportunity to participate in many academic competitions, including Model United Nations, Junior State of America, Mock Trial, Academic Decathlon, and the Los Angeles County Science Fair.
Q: What athletic teams are there at Pilibos?
A: Pilibos is a member of CIF (California Interscholastic Federation). Our school offers co-ed athletics in cross-country, track and field, volleyball, basketball, soccer, and tennis. You can find more information here.
Q: Do Scholars go on class trips?
A: Yes, our 9th-12th grade Scholars participate in trips and retreats as a class to further their learning, strengthen their bonds with their classmates, and provide opportunities otherwise not available in a classroom environment.
- 9th Grade: Leadership Retreat at AYF Camp
- 10th Grade: Team Building Retreat at Pali Camp
- 11th Grade: Pilgrimage to Armenia
- 12th Grade: Reflection Retreat at AYF Camp
Q: What are some examples of universities that seniors are accepted into?
A: Scholars have been accepted into such universities as Cornell, Brown, Dartmouth, University of Chicago, Wesleyan, UCLA, UC Berkeley, UCI, UCSD, UCSB, UCSC, Boston University, Reed College, Hampden-Sydney College, George Washington, USC, Cal State Northridge (and all other CSUs), Southern New Hampshire University, Occidental College, Loyola Marymount University, Pepperdine, and more. For more information on all Pilibos has to offer, view our School Profile.