Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

Our Greek School - Το Ελληνικό μας Σχολείο

The Center of Hellenic Education is the Greek School of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in San Jose, California. Located in the heart of Bay Area and teaching the Greek language for more than 5 decades, the Center strives to provide a learning environment stressing both academic and social experiences through a curriculum that integrates Hellenic culture and Orthodox faith. All students progress through a set of comprehensive objectives based on national standards for teaching foreign languages.

Education in Greek language and culture is a necessity for children to develop and maintain a Greek consciousness while living in a multi-ethnic American homeland. The Center of Hellenic Education instills in its students a love and understanding of being Greek. It provides them the opportunity to develop their Greek-American identity, enrich their lives through recognition of their ancient heritage, and become our future cultural and political representatives.

 

Our Programs

 
 
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School age program

A program designed to help students develop verbal and written language skills while engaging in cultural activities such as art, music, history and mythology. We offer two tracks:

  • Greek speakers (Greek as first language at home): Tuesdays, 5-7pm

  • Non-Greek speakers (English as first language at home): Thursdays 5-7pm

  • All students: Saturdays, 10am-12pm

​Ages: 3-18 years

 
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adult program

Three programs tailored for individuals who want to learn or refresh their knowledge of the Greek language. Vocabulary and the proper use of the Greek language will be taught through participating in conversations and group discussions relating to real life situations:

  • New Testament Greek: Tuesdays 6:30-9pm

  • Intermediate Conversational Greek: Thursdays 6:30-9pm

  • Beginner Conversational Greek: Saturdays 10am-12:30pm

​Ages: 18 years and older

 2024/2025 Academic Calendar

 
  • August 26 (Online) & 27 (In-person), 2024–1st Days of School

  • September 2, 2024 - Labor Day (NO CLASSES)

  • October 27, 2024 - OXI Day Celebration (AT SCHOOL)

  • November 25 - 30, 2024 - Thanksgiving Holiday (NO CLASSES)

  • December 21, 2024 - Singing Carols/Christmas Pageant (AT CHURCH)

  • December 23, 2024 - January 6, 2025, Christmas Holiday (NO CLASSES)

  • January 15 - 27, 2025 - Parent-Teacher Conferences

  • January 20, 2025 - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (NO CLASSES)

  • January 26, 2025 - The Three Hierarchs/Greek Letter Day (AT CHURCH)

  • FDF Break – February, 13 - 18, 2025 (NO CLASSES)

  • March 30, 2025 - Greek Independence Day Celebration (AT SCHOOL)

  • Easter/ Holy Week Observance April 14 - April 20, 2025 (NO CLASSES)

  • Saturday, May 17, 2025 - Graduation Day (AT SCHOOL)

About Us

 

Goals

  • Prepare our students with the skills to effectively communicate in written and oral Greek

  • Develop our students’ understanding of Greek culture and history, from ancient to modern times

  • Broaden our students’ knowledge of Greek mythology, poems, literature and music

  • Increase our students’ awareness of the contributions the Greek language has made to the English language


School Board

  • Parish Clergy

  • Director: Maggie Gibbons

  • Members:

    • Panagiotis Chalioris

    • Despina Iskander

    • Sofia Kotsiri

    • Panagiotis Papadimitriou


Faculty

  • Irini Ampelas

  • Katerina Belesi

  • Tina Caushaj

  • Dimitra Charisi

  • Maggie Gibbons

  • Dimitra Gousi 

  • Athena Hionis

  • Nikolaos Kolliopoulos

  • Marianna Konstantopoulou

  • Sofia Kotsiri

  • Dr Peter Nanopoulos 

  • Maria Stefanidou