Saint Demetrios

As the first American-born generation made their appearance in New York, so did the Greek schools. These schools’ main purpose was to preserve the Greek heritage in a new land. It is extremely important to the Greeks to maintain and transmit Greek culture in order to keep it a constant in their day-to-day life in a foreign country. Many Greek Americans have had to go to either day schools, afternoon schools, Sunday schools, or certain public bilingual schools in order to gain the proper Greek education (Vouyouka-Sereti 195)⁸³.

Schools are one of the most important institutions for the Hellenic community. Many Greeks make sure that their children go to schools that are Greek Orthodox affiliated that way their children are learning not only the New York State curriculum, but also Greek language, culture, history, and customs. With the fear of having the next generation lose ties to their heritage, parochial schools ensure children are exposed to both American and Greek curriculum and culture.

Due to the high population of Greeks in Astoria, Queens, there are many parochial or Green Orthodox affiliated schools. Saint Demetrios, also known as the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Astoria, is comprised of an elementary school, middle/ high school, as well as an afternoon school. Astoria’s Saint Demetrios School is the only school in Queens to have students from nursery to high school. It has 610 students. The school is comprised of 85% white students and 15% two or more races students. The tuition for the school is about 4500 dollars a year (St. Demetrios School)⁸⁵.

The school was founded in 1956 and it prides itself on providing a holistic education reflective of an Orthodox education. The school teaches Orthodox Christian religion as well as Hellenic history and culture. By using smaller classes, the school ensures that each student gets the attention they need to gain the most effective form of education. The principal of the school is Mr. Anastasios Koularmanis (Saint Demetrios Astoria School)⁸⁶.

On our class trip to Astoria, we visited the lower elementary school of Saint Demetrios, which includes pre-kindergarten to third grade. We walked around certain classes. We went into a dancing and singing class where we witnessed the children singing the Greek national anthem for us. We also went into a regular classroom where the students were sitting at desks. The children introduced themselves to us. They also shared with us their city of origin, thus demonstrating their pride in their homeland

The church is connected to the elementary school. This closeness allows students in the elementary school to participate in certain events being held at the church such as the church’s annual Greek festival. They also participate in the Greek Independence day Parade on 5^th avenue in New York City. Saint Demetrios has a separate building for the middle and high school in Astoria as well.

Saint Demetrios also offers afternoon school, which aims to provide an opportunity for American born Greek students attending public school to be exposed to their Greek heritage. The main purpose of the school is to instill a sense of pride in the students’ Greek heritage (Tsividakis)⁸⁴.

By going to afternoon Greek school, students can learn the Greek culture, history, and language. The school offers classes for children in kindergarten up until 8^th grade. The curriculum covers Greek language includes Greek language, writing and reading, Greek history, Greek culture, and Greek orthodox religion. It even offers classes on Greek dancing. The school prides itself on their success on Greek regents, which has a 100% passing grade for all their students.

The school offers classes during the weekdays as well as on Saturdays for ay students that cannot come on other days. They also provide certain classes for adults. It is crucial that all Greek Americans have an opportunity to learn about their culture.

As Astoria is constantly diversifying, there are many parochial, private schools in addition to those associated with Greek Orthodox.

There are 10 Greek private schools in New York (DIRECTORY OF GREEK ORTHODOX AFTERNOON SCHOOLS)⁸⁸:

• A Fantis Parochial School
  • 195 State Street Brooklyn, NY 11201

• Dimitrios & Georgia Kaloidis Parochial School
  • 8502 Ridge Blvd Brooklyn, NY 11209

• Greek American Institute Of New York
  • 3573 Bruckner Blvd Bronx, NY 10461

• Holy Cross Greek-Orthodox Day School
  • 1203 150th St  Whitestone, NY 11357

• School Of Transfiguration
  • 9807 38th Ave Corona, NY 11368

• St Demetrios School
  • 3003 30th Dr Astoria, NY 11102

• St Demetrios School
  • 3003 30th Dr Astoria, NY 11102

• The Cathedral School
  • 319 E 74th Street New York, NY 10021

• Three Hierarchs School
  • 1724 Avenue P Brooklyn, NY 11229

• Washington Heights Hellenic
  • 120 Wadsworth Ave  New York, NY 10033

• William Spyropoulos Greek-American Day School
  • 4315 196th St  Flushing, NY 11358

-Clara Helwaser