SHORT SUMMARY

"GO" elementary school will be the first private school in Syunik, built in the Goris bordering community. Its innovation is, on the one hand, the advanced instruction of English, starting from the first grade of elementary school. On the other hand, the promotion of STEM subjects and arts, with wide application of AI tools, as well as the promotion. Various extracurricular clubs will aim at teaching and promoting soft skills in accordance with the 21st century education requirements. On the basis of the ELEMENTARY school international MIDDLE , then HIGH "GO" schools will be initiated, with the introduction of Cambridge international programs. The school will also offer summer camp programs and host Armenian children from the Diaspora and Armenia.The school will enhance Syunik’s resilience, reduce emigration, and foster economic growth.

Impact of the GO School

"GO" School will

• improve the quality of education in Syunik through in-depth teaching of English and STEM and arts
• become the first alternative to the traditional education system,
• become the basis of the first international school in the south of Armenia,
• reduce migration from Goris community of Syunik in search of quality education,
• increase the resilience of Syunik and instill hope for the future among people, motivate them to stay in the region despite security problems,
• create new jobs and keep young professionals in the region,
• create jobs for those displaced from Artsakh,
• contribute to the economic development of the region.
• solve the problem of overcrowded classes in public schools,
• help busy parents take care of their children's safety during working hours, engaging them in extracurricular clubs

SCHOOL CURRICULUM

"GO" elementary school will implement a state education program, offer in-depth instruction of English language and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths). It will foster a wide usage of AI tools and promote creativity, systematic, algorithmic and critical thinking, leadership, time management, social intelligence, digital and information literacy, media literacy, communication skills, flexibility, change flexibility and productivity.

DEMAND IN THE GORIS COMMUNITY

Goris and Syunik on a larger scale are known for high performance in education. Parents from Goris always invest heavily in their children's education. There is a great demand for a school equipped with science and technology laboratories and intensive English language instruction. The idea, curriculum, innovation, and the alternative of a private school recently introduced to the community have been well received:

• survey
• the survey results

The PROBLEMS:

• The need to Strengthen the resilience of Syunik

Currently, Syunik is facing a number of challenges. The region’s economy is being disrupted by new geopolitical developments. Families are leaving the region due to security and economic concerns. There are also many families moving to the capital to ensure in search for better educational opportunities for their children, driven by the constant concern of Armenian parents who value education. Let alone young people are leaving the region in search of employment. The demographics Syunik is changing, the region is losing its best human, resources and attractiveness.

• The need to promote inbound tourism to Syunik

Goris is now a bordering community. Before the war, the community and the region were full of Armenian and foreign tourists. Currently, due to security concerns and misinformation, Goris and Syunik hardly attract either foreign or inbound tourists. Families from other regions of Armenia won't send their children to spend the summer in Syunik.

• The need to promote English Language Teaching in Syunik

Today, the need of hand-on fluency of the English language is prevalent in various fields of study, technology, and specialization. Being in the center of attention of the international community, hosting numerous international delegations and representatives of foreign organizations, Syunik will be able to host their families if it has an international school. Moreover, English will pave opportunities for Syunik youth to study abroad and bring the best practices back home.

• The need to promote the teaching of STEM subjects in Syunik

There are NO properly equipped STEM laboratories in Syunik schools, for project based learning. AI is integrated into education at a very low rate, despite being the buzz of the world nowadays.

• The need to promote Arts education in Syunik

Creativity is a key component of modern education. However, schools in Syunik do not provide adequate opportunities for children to develop their abilities in arts.

SOLUTION

The GO school equipped with high-tech solutions, in-depth instruction of English, STEM and arts will offer an alternative to the traditional education system and keep Armenian families in Syunik.

The international middle and high GO schools will attract foreigners living in Armenia to Syunik, creating an opportunity for them to live and ensure their children's education in Goris. Summer camps will make Syunik a desirable destination for Armenian children from the Diaspora and Armenia, as well as from other countries.

Action Plan:

• September, 2025 - the first class with a maximum of 15 students opens, we expect to have at least 10 students in the first year
• September, 2028 - we have at least 60 students enrolled, at least 4 classes
• May, 2028 - A2/B1 English proficiency is achieved among our first graduates.
• September, 2029 - the international middle school is launched, implementing the Cambridge, international programs in 3 subjects (English and 2 Natural Sciences).
• By 2029 - more than 20 local administrative-teaching jobs will have been created.

TEAM

We are professionals from various fields who believe that education is the cornerstone of a resilient Syunik.

Gayane Ohanyan Linkedin, Facebook , "GO Krtojakh" Educational Foundation co-chair, Founder and director of "GO" Center for Languages and Skills, USA State Dep. Alumna of FLEX and TEA Fulbright, Cofounder of "GO" Scholarship, HIPPO representative in Syunik, the page, USG Alumni, US Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia coverage, "SOSE's Women" NGO, Syunik, coverage

Emma Margaryan LinkedIn page, "GO Krtojakh" Educational Foundation chair

Tamar Barsamian, LinkedIn page

Thomas Obrien, LinkedIn page

Anna Ohanyan, "GO" Scholarship cofounder, LinkedIn, Facebook

Arevik Ohanyan, Ohanyan Educational Complex cofounder, LinkedIn page, Facebook

Sherie Klee, Graduate Program Director, Curriculum and Instruction, COST International Director

Grand Valley State University, US

Peter Mitchel, former head of "Brain Gain", National Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at the Ministry or Economy, RA

Narine Khondkaryan, English trainer at National Academy of Sciences, LinkedIn

Lida Antonian, P.h.D, Physics, Salesian College, San Francisco, CA, US

Edna Antonian, P.h.D., Biochemistry PhD, NJ, US 

Hasmik Ayvazyan, LinkedIn page

Haykuhi Muradyan, Cambridge CELTA, DELTA qualified English teacher, English senior trainer at British Council, Armenia, Facebook page

Lorraine Moore, LinkedIn page

Davit Sahakyan, Business Advisor | Innovation Management Expert in Operations Management and Business Development, Trouble Shooting and Problem Solving Expert, LinkedIn

BUDGET

See the PROJECT BUDGET

See the "GO" Elementary Budget for 4 years



FAQ

Question 1: The paid model may pose risks of low community engagement, as well as low donor engagement, how do the authors try to manage these risks

Answer: The fee-based model aims to serve the continuity of the initiative. Starting from the 4th year of the school's operation, the school will be able to ensure its livelihood without additional funds, using the money generated from tuition fees. All profits will be invested in the school.

Question 2: How was the construction cost calculated?

Answer: The construction cost was calculated by the construction company, based on the cost per square meter, based on the company's work experience. Considering the increase in prices of construction materials in recent months, we consider further increases possible. For this reason, we present an approximate calculation in the budget, predicting possible price fluctuations.

Question 3: Is the activity licensed, if so, does the foundation have the appropriate licenses and permits?

Answer: The future "GO" school will conduct only licensed activities. The Foundation, having constructed the first floor of the school, provided the building conditions, will apply to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for permission to implement a general education elementary curriculum.

Question 4: Why not to start implementing international curricula from the elementary school?

Answer: For that students need at least A2, B1 level of English proficiency (CEFR/ Common European Framework of Reference scale). We plan achieve that proficiency by the end of the primary school program to be eligible for the international curriculum starting from the middle school.

Question 5: How does the team envision organizing the elementary school's activities for the next 3 years?

Answer: In parallel with the first year's activities, the team is preparing to implement another fundraising campaign to build the second floor of the building, furnish it, and organize the activities for the next three years. As can be seen in the "Expenditures/Incomes" section of the 4-year budget, starting from the second year of operations, the school will be able to cover its expenses.