Graduations Across COAF: A Year of Growth

Every graduation is bittersweet, and it’s no different across COAF’s educational programs. As another academic year comes to a close, over a thousand youth and educators across our programs are celebrating important milestones.

From project presentations at the COAF Youredjian SMART Center to graduations at COAF Child and Family Centers and the culmination of teacher mentorship programs, this year's graduates represent the curiosity, perseverance, and growth that define learning across COAF communities.

While each program follows a different path, they all share a common goal: empowering individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to shape their futures and strengthen their communities.

Learning Through Doing: SMART Students Wrap-Up a Year of Projects

This year, 1,802 students completed programs at COAF’s Youredjian SMART Center in Lori. Together, they presented 95 projects spanning technology, design, arts, languages, entrepreneurship, and more.

The student projects created throughout the academic year culminated in presentations, giving students the opportunity to showcase months of teamwork, experimentation, research, problem-solving, and public speaking skills. Working in groups, students transformed ideas into reality while building skills that extend beyond the classroom.

This year also marked the launch of the first-ever SMART Connects: By the Students, For the Students event. Inspired by a TED-style conference format, SMART Connects invited students to move beyond traditional project presentations and share the personal stories behind their work.

Following an open call and selection process, students participated in coaching sessions focused on storytelling, public speaking, and reflection. Rather than focusing solely on final results, speakers explored the challenges they faced, mistakes they learned from, unexpected discoveries they made, and the personal growth that took place throughout their projects.

With approximately 120 students in attendance, the event created a space for students to learn from one another, celebrate, and imagine where their journeys may lead, together.

COAF's Youngest Learners Take Their Next Big Step

Across the four COAF Child and Family Centers, 169 children graduated from the Child Development Corner (CDC) program this year and are preparing to take their next big step into primary school.

Throughout the year, children participated in activities designed to support their wellbeing, cognitive development, and school readiness. Yearly assessments conducted as part of the program evaluate key areas including children's internal attitude toward school, cognitive and analytical abilities, speech and language development, and volitional self-regulation, and continue to demonstrate the positive impact of sustained early childhood intervention.

Long-term assessments from our Child and Family Centers showed substantial gains in children's school readiness. For example, results from the center in Hatsik revealed clear improvements between 2024 and 2025:

• In 2024, 11% of children scored only 2–3 points (out of 8) on the Psychological Readiness for School Learning assessment.
• In 2025, no child scored below 3 points.
• The proportion of children achieving high scores (6.5–8 points) increased from 13.9% to 41.7%.

Recent assessments showed that all beneficiaries met minimum preparedness standards, with a significant increase in children demonstrating high levels of readiness.

These results demonstrate that critical support in a child’s early years prepare students for academic success, and build foundations for lifelong learning.

In Syunik, Educator Mentees Celebrate a Milestone

Learning is, of course, not just for the youth. On June 25–26, educators participating in the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation-funded teacher mentorship program called “Empowering English Teachers in Syunik” gathered in Goris for the program's closing conference.

Throughout the year, the program combined intensive English language instruction, mentor training, classroom observation, feedback, and peer support to help educators strengthen both their language proficiency and teaching practice.

The event brought together 14 mentees and 7 mentors to reflect on the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned throughout this mentorship process.  

The conference included professional development sessions, discussions on educational practice, and presentations of community-based projects developed by mentors, mentees, and students.

By supporting educators in their own professional growth, the program helps strengthen learning opportunities for students and communities far beyond the classroom.

Looking Ahead

Whether stepping into primary school, continuing their educational journey at the SMART Center, or bringing new skills back to their classrooms and communities, this year's graduates leave with more than certificates and completed projects. They leave with new experiences, stronger skills, greater confidence, and a deeper belief in their own potential.

COAF is proud of every student, educator, and family who contributed to this school year's achievements and looks forward to seeing where the next chapter leads.

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