B. Facts about MEI

After eight years of continuous efforts of the MEI Board and the Principal, MEI has accomplished unprecedented and unique successes as an Armenian school, making it one of the best according to modern standards. Despite all the hurdles, there has been continuous growth in enrollment, improved income, better conditions of buildings and facilities, renewed image and enhanced relations with the public and private sectors in Cyprus and Armenian communities in the region.

Academic:
Success of a school is not measured by its financial status but by its academic achievements. (Attachment 1 a, b, c)
Higher and consistent academic standards (unprecedented in MEI’s history) have been attained. The minimum standard for receiving the Melkonian Diploma is higher than most Armenian schools: These standards comply with the requirements of UK and American universities. The academic by-laws of the school sets high standards, and those students who do not fulfill the conditions do not receive the Melkonian Diploma. In fact, parents are recommended to find another school for their children if they cannot cope with the academic requirements of the school.
In June 2003 we had phenomenal results with our graduating class of 27 students. 48% of them received grades A-C in at least 2 GCE “A”-Level exams (each “A” Level is equivalent to 2APs). Five students had exceptional results in up to 5 A-Levels, meriting them admission to the most competitive universities in the UK or USA. These results are particularly significant when we take into consideration the varied backgrounds of our students and the wide range of their abilities. It should also be noted that all the 2003 graduates are continuing their education; but, unfortunately, although the five exceptional students were clear candidates for Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, Yale, Stanford or MIT, they have enrolled in more modest universities due to financial difficulties.

The excellent academic standards attained have enabled Tamar Jourian to earn a Fulbright scholarship and British Council Gold Medal, and Vruyr Kaprielian to win the first ever prize from Cambridge University for highest achievement in IGCSE exams in Cyprus. Based on a survey of our graduates for the last eight years, more than 90% of our graduates have gone to western universities worldwide (not community colleges), which is hardly matched by any other Armenian school, including the AGBU schools.

Apart from having established international academic standards, the comprehensive Armenian programme consolidates the Armenian identity of our students who learn Armenian language, literature, history and art. Components of the Armenian culture are nurtured through the different extracurricular activities too, such as the folkdance, choir, band, theatre, and journalism. (Attachment 3)
For the purpose of educating the whole child, MEI has adopted a Pastoral Care programme that is based on social education and life skills. These sessions help our adolescents cope with everyday difficulties in a multi-cultural setting, preparing them for global challenges as well as sensitising them to the needs of the Armenian communities worldwide.
The quality of the teachers, supervisors and administrative staff has improved within the prevailing conditions and means. The school has managed to keep a relatively low turnover of teachers in all subjects, although the Armenian Department has encountered some difficulties due to the small pool of qualified people.

MEI is offering comparable academic standards to exclusive schools in the UK and international schools in Europe. MEI’s curriculum is based on the European model that offers depth and breadth.
Enrollment in comparable private schools in Europe is generally around 400 students aged 3 to18+, while MEI’s enrollment for ages only 11+ to 18+ has reached to 251. (Attachment 4)
While the Teacher-student ratio in comparable schools in Europe and Cyprus ranges from 5.6 to 10 students per teacher, MEI has Teacher-student ratio of 8.2:1, which is a very healthy figure, specially for a private boarding school. (also Attachment 4)
The academic standards attained at MEI allow Lebanese students to get equivalence to Lebanese Bacc II and, therefore, may follow any specialisation at universities in Lebanon.
Also students from Greece are continuing their education at very good universities.
Students from other countries receive instruction in their native languages and in most instances complete GCE Advanced level examinations (e.g. Arabic, Russian, French). Greek A-Level is a must for Cypriot and Greek students, while additional Greek is also offered to students from Greece to help them prepare for the national entrance exams.
In 2003 MEI became a Cambridge University Centre, which is a very prestigious affiliation for MEI. (Attachment 5 a, b)

2. Facilities:

The school facilities have been improved and upgraded to offer better conditions and more advanced technology that enhance academic excellence. (Attachment 6)
The Buildings and grounds have undergone essential, overdue renovations to ensure acceptable physical environment.
The school Library has a collection of more than 25,000 books that are being indexed and catalogued by a professional Librarian based on the Dewey system.
The school operation has become fully computerised.

3. Financial:

MEI tuition fees have doubled in the last 8 years, enhancing income. This was achieved despite government restrictions on tuition raises.
The school accounts are regularly audited by an external auditing firm. A healthier financial growth is ensured. Just note that in the last 8 years:
Income from tuitions (paid by parents and sponsors) has almost tripled (260%) from 1996 to 2003. This was due to the continuous increase in fees and the persistent policy of the administration to make parents contribute more for their children’s education. (Parent contribution alone has doubled)
General Income collected by the school from parents, sponsors and activities has increased 250% from 1996 to 2003.
Total Expenditure (including Capital Expenditure) has increased at a lower rate since1996. The rate of increase is 194% in 2003 and expected to be 187% in 2004. The inevitable increase in General Expenditure can be attributed mainly to the improved quality of teachers and their mandatory yearly raises, on one hand, and the improvements of the school facilities and equipment, on the other hand. In other words, this increase has been in favour of the general development and upgrade of MEI.

4. Relations:

The school has emerged from its shell and has integrated with the local community. MEI is now on the ‘map’ and locals are being educated about the new reinvented MEI through public events and media coverage. (Attachment 7 a, b)
Close ties with the Cypriot Government and with the support of the Armenian Representative in the Parliament, Mr. Bedros Kalaydjian, government subsidies to Cypriot-Armenians have been on the increase. For example, from 360 CP in 1996 to 1200 CP in 2003, as yearly payment for Cypriot-Armenians. (1 CP = 2 US $)
This year we are executing the special government grant of 70,000 CP (around $140,000) to fully renovate, equip and upgrade our Computer lab, and to establish fully equipped Language lab and a Design & Technology lab. This project alone further enhances our academic standard and our image. (Attachment 8 a, b, c)
Our special recruitment efforts have fundamentally enhanced the number of applicants, allowing us year-after-year to be more selective with new candidates. (Attachment 9)
Due to our persistent strategies and recruitment tours, our enrollment and quality of our students improved. The graduation criteria are evidence to the quality of students at MEI. Please note our yearly enrollment trends. (Attachment 10 a, b, c)
To improve the process of integration with the local community, to enhance the school’s global image and income sources, MEI has the approval of the Central Board to accept up to 20% non-Armenian students.

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