In 1986, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) offered to sell a closed public school and its property at the corner of Vanowen and Oakdale Avenues. The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU), a philanthropic organization based in New York and dedicated to furthering Armenian education and culture around the world, purchased the property and moved the school to its present location. The AGBU is noted for operating a network of private Armenian schools in several countries spanning the globe.

In 1991, the school Board of Trustees and AGBU embarked on a major construction of the two large buildings facing Vanowen Avenue. The new buildings contained 14 classrooms, two science laboratories, a state of the art computer laboratory, a lecture room, a faculty room, Student Affairs Office and counseling offices, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, and subterranean parking for faculty and staff. These buildings would be used primarily by the middle and high school students.

A second building was added near the Main Office in the late 1990s to house the school's burgeoning elementary student population. The Agajanian Auditorium, part of the original LAUSD complex, was given a complete refurbishing in late 2002. An extension is planned for the upper school building to be completed by early 2004. The school continues to grow at a steady pace, and now includes close to 900 students in grades kindergarten through twelve, employing nearly 90 teachers. A separate licensed day-care facility is housed on the same property, offering after school and extended care to 100 students.

The school is non-profit, and non-sectarian. Middle and high school students attend church services at Saint Peter Apostolic Church on the day before Christmas Break, and the priest from the church comes to campus in the spring just before Easter for another special service.

Close to 100 percent of graduating students attend college or university. The curriculum is planned to accommodate all California State Frameworks for each discipline, and teachers plan their lessons with the goal of developing students' fundamental scholastic, analytical, critical, and creative skills within a caring and nurturing environment. Only college preparatory and Honors/Advanced Placement levels are offered in the high school. Qualified students are admitted to the Honors/Advanced Placement program based on criteria set by the individual academic department. Currently, Advanced Placement courses are offered in Language and Composition, Literature and Composition, Psychology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, European History, United States History, American Government, and Calculus. The school considers college preparation in all subjects as the number one priority for students and teachers.

Armenian studies are an integral part of the curriculum, and a significant part of the school's mission. Each student is offered the opportunity to develop a proficiency in the Armenian language and to gain extended knowledge in Armenian literature, history and culture as well as examine contemporary issues related to Armenians and the Armenian Diaspora.

The great majority of students come from the San Fernando Valley with approximately ten percent commuting from outlying areas such as Glendale, Pasadena, Los Angeles, Burbank, Sun Valley, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks. Although the school is open to any student, most students have ethnic Armenian ancestry.

The school recognizes that although the Armenian community is composed of families from all over the world, all Armenians share the same cultural traditions and Christian heritage. Therefore, the Armenian culture is celebrated in several ways across the curriculum and in the daily life of a student. Students recite a prayer and pledge in Armenian, as well as the United States Pledge of Allegiance. Several cultural assemblies are held throughout the year featuring presentations in Armenian and English language, as well as dance performance and musical concerts. There are also several Armenian holidays celebrated throughout the year with the school closing for those specific days.

AGBU Manoogian-Demirdjian School was accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) for the full six year term in the 2000-2001 school year.

The Administration, faculty and staff take pride in their school and their students. We anticipate offering a solid academic education for young men and women for years to come.