Academics

MISSION:  The mission of the lower school team is to inspire and prepare each student to achieve personal and academic excellence as an engaged global citizen by providing a challenging, innovative curriculum within a compassionate environment.

AIMS:

• To foster growth in Islamic faith and values
• To provide experiences which are based on fundamentals of Islam and Sunnah
• To value, appreciate and enjoy learning
• To work for excellence
• To further curiosity and creativity

CLASSES: Kindergarten – Grade 01 through 05

THE CURRICULUM

The Early Childhood Program serves as the cornerstone for the Elementary School Program Lessons are coordinated jointly to produce a student who can function proficiently in the next grade and to compare strategies and innovate new ideas. This is a continued evolution that requires care and wisdom to achieve the highest potential for all students. Children are Allah’s blessings (God). It is our duty to instill in them a sense of awareness and reliance on Allah in order for them to live their lives. IQRA Bilingual Academy recognizes the innate and inherent needs of children. By focusing on six fundamental areas of development—spiritual, psychological, emotional, social, physical, and cognitive—our elementary curriculum aims to meet the needs of the child.

All pupils receive a broad education in their years during their time in the lower school. The curriculum includes:

• Islamic Studies: Qur’an Recitation and Memorization with Tajweed and Tafsir
• Languages: Arabic, English, French, Second Language Programs (ESL/FSL)
• General Studies: Science, Social Studies/Civics, Mathematics, Physical Education, Technology
• F.E.E. : Senegal National Exam for students in Grade 05

There are teaching assistants utilized in our classes, which facilitates a group setting that helps us to more easily satisfy the needs of the individual learner. At the beginning of the school year, the kids are evaluated, and targets are set. Each student is tracked frequently through in-class assessments.

A combination of large group, small group, and individual instruction supports our goal to personalize learning. Students often work in small, flexible, and dynamic groups.  The groups may be based on interest, readiness, or ability, for example, and change regularly. The grouping depends on the goal of the lesson and the type of learning outcome expected, and allows teachers to differentiate instruction within the larger group.

Having cross-curricular units of study that align with the core curriculum is another objective of our program. Because the intended learning is taught in several learning domains, this integration enables children’s learning to become more in-depth.

TRACKING STUDENT PROGRESS

The NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) test is given to students in Grades 3-5 at the start and END of the academic year. This enables teachers to track a student’s development and establish yearly objectives. Please visit their website at www.nwea.org for more information about MAP testing.

For all grades (Kindergarten through Grade 5), a summary and evaluation of each student’s academic progress is sent home to parents three times a year at the end of each trimester.

Student progress is reported to parents at two scheduled conferences. At the request of the parent or the instructor, more conferences may be scheduled. These meetings follow the standard format for parent-teacher conferences. The homeroom teacher and specialized instructors welcome parents to the school to talk with them about their child’s development and potential growth areas.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

All IQRABA students are invited to participate in our rich campus buzzes with activity after the final bell rings and our rich extracurricular program offers students a world of choices in the arts, athletics, and other fun activities. From Nasheed (choir) to Soccer, Basketball, Taekwondo and Volleyball; from Arts & Crafts to Outdoor Games or DEAR (Reading) clubs, there is something for everyone! After school activities are available every day for students. There are a wide range of activities which are published at the end of each term. Parents book in advance of each term. Costs vary for after school sports activities.

MISSION:  Our curriculum, progresses in accordance with child development, awakening students to the experience of knowledge, strengthening their sense of moral responsibility, and empowering them to act with courage and conviction. The goal of the school is to produce a diverse group of young Muslims distinguished by the scope and acuity of their minds as well as the depth and integrity of their character.

CLASSES:  

• Middle School: Grade 06, Grade 07 & Grade 08
• High School: Grade 09, Grade 10, Grade 11 & Grade 12

The Middle School Curriculum

IQRA Bilingual Academy is dedicated to ensuring that all children are ready to succeed in achieve in an ever-changing world, regardless of whether your child is transferring from one of our elementary schools to a middle school or this is your first time in our district.

During the middle school years, our teachers ease students’ transition from the more dependent environment in elementary school to becoming independent learners and great citizens.

We believe that the key to a successful middle schooling experience lies in a strong relationship between the teacher, the student and home. We encourage all parents and caregivers to actively participate and be involved in their child’s education through the middle school years

The Middle School Program is structured to meet children’s varied intellectual and developmental needs. Its main aims are developing skills related to writing, reading, reflecting, critical thinking, public speaking, fostering initiative among students and a desire to acquire knowledge. Academic subjects include:

• Languages:

English (Main Language – English Second Language)

French (Main Language French Second Language)

Arabic (Main Language – Arabic Second Language)

• General Studies: Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, Physical Education, Technology
• Islamic Studies: Fiqh, Aqidah, Seerah, Ahlaq, Hadith
• Qur’an: Recitation, Memorization, Tajweed, Tafseer

Guidance Counselors help students address their age-specific interests and concerns, builds awareness, and promotes compassionate and ethical conduct.

The High School Curriculum

Using Global Contexts, our High School students explore human identity, global challenges and what it means to be internationally-minded.

As students go to higher levels, the curriculum progressively shifts from a focus on memorizing fundamental facts to one on developing a deep grasp of subjects via interpretation and assessment.  It is based on the concepts of information, comprehension, application, and skill-sets. Projects and the application of knowledge form an integral part and aid the development of analytical skills. The Program aims to empower students to contribute to a compassionate, just, and multicultural society and to encourage self-reflection.

• High School students are expected to earn 48 credits hours.
• A grade of 70% (14/20) is required to earn full points for a course
• Students must also earn 100 Service Learning Hours.
• Students wishing to take the Senegalese Baccalaureate are required to take additional preparatory courses in the evenings and weekends.

The following are the academic disciplines:

• General Studies: Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, Physical Education, Technology
• Qur’an: Recitation, Memorization, Tajweed, Tafseer
• Islamic Studies: Fiqh, Aqidah, Seerah, Ahlaq, Hadith
• Standard Test Prep: SAT, AP, BFEM and/or BACCALAURETE (Senegalese national exams)
• Languages:

English (Main Language – ESL)

French (Main Language – FSL)

Arabic (Main Language – ASL)

TRACKING STUDENT PROGRESS

The NWEA MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) test is given to students in Grades 6-11 at the start and END of the academic year. This enables teachers to track a student’s development and establish yearly objectives. Please visit their website at www.nwea.org for more information about MAP testing.

For all grades (Grade 06 – 12), a summary and evaluation of each student’s academic progress is sent home to parents three times a year at the end of each trimester for Middle School and twice a year (end of each semester) for High School.

Student progress is reported to parents at two scheduled conferences. At the request of the parent or the instructor, more conferences may be scheduled. These meetings follow the standard format for parent-teacher conferences. The homeroom teacher and specialized instructors welcome parents to the school to talk with them about their child’s development and potential growth areas.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

All IQRABA students are invited to participate in our rich campus buzzes with activity after the final bell rings and our rich extracurricular program offers students a world of choices in the arts, athletics, and other fun activities. From Nasheed (choir) to Soccer, Basketball, Taekwondo and Baseball; from Arts & Crafts to Anime Club or DEAR (Reading) clubs, there is something for everyone! After school activities are available every day for students. There are a wide range of activities which are published at the end of each term. Parents book in advance of each term. Costs vary for after school sports activities.