Testimonials

Shereen Ramadan, M.D.- Former Parent

Two of my children attended the Islamic school of Seattle. It was a solace to find a school that followed the teachings of the Noble Qur'an and its good faith to teach it to Muslim children in a non-Muslim country. I look upon the days of my children's initial education in this calm, tolerant, and welcoming school as a positive experience and a blessing.

I would recommend all area Muslim parents (& non-Muslim parents) to send their preschoolers, kindergartners, and elementary students to this school. The tuition is kept very affordable and low compared to other area private schools (An example is another private school in Seattle that billed us $21,000.00/year for HS tuition).

This is the ONLY school that teaches much needed spiritual, ethical, and Islamic manners to a Muslim child in this area. It is bilingual- Arabic/English. Due to small class size the teachers are able to individualize teaching. Salah/Adhaan is taught along w/math and English grammar. Beautiful Arabic songs are sung, calming and invigorating the children.

The food (during the enrollment of my children) was cooked on site and was wholesome/nutritious. Vegetables, fruits, and Halal meat were served to the children. The parents get a chance to socialize daily and visit the yearly School Carnival, which is popular with the neighborhood.

The building was a former Jewish School. I have observed that (personal opinion) the City of Seattle has made an accelerated effort in improving the neighborhood after the advent of the Islamic school as an exemplary Islamic Institute in a much spiritually needy area in Seattle. My warmest regards to the very hard working teachers and staff of the Islamic School of Seattle.

Shannon Walburn — Former Teacher

As a previous teacher of this school I can tell you that this school is very forward thinking in their educational viewpoints. The administration is passionate and cares deeply about what happens and works to ensure their staff feels the same. Having worked at more than four schools since my departure I can tell you that if you are looking for a small, child centered, private school that will think of your child first and not just making sure they score well on state tests look here.

Text Box: Abudul Quddus Tim McCarthy — a Professional Educator … The Islamic School of Seattle (I.S.S.) is among the most advanced Islamic educational institutions in the United States. The people of the Pacific Northwest are truly blessed and extremely fortunate such an institution exists in the very heart of the regions largest city—Seattle. I’ve been a teacher for 20 years and have held a Certificate of Education with the State of Washington since 1992. I’ve taught in a multitude of settings within the public school system and have vast experience in teaching Muslim children in a variety of environments e.g. full-time private schools, weekend schools, after school programs, etc. The genius, indeed, the great achievement of the I.S.S. is its ability to comprehend both the essential Message of the Generous Qur’an and the way of the Blessed Prophet of Islam as it relates to the education of the individual; and the clear, confirmed evidence within modern science as to how the brain works with regard to human development. The I.S.S. has been and continues to be, to its credit, firm and unyielding in its comprehensive vision of what it truly means to educate. Montessori education is Islamic education to the core. When we examine the ideas of the most enlightened, forward thinkers in the Islamic educational revivalist movement in the U.S., we discover that they grappling with the same issues and drawing the same conclusions as did Maria Montessori a hundred years ago. One need not reinvent the wheel. Maria Montessori has developed the framework and tools for successfully educating children facing the challenges of the 20th & 21st centuries. Her vision and approach beautifully resonates with that innermost prayer that all Muslim parents have with regard to their deepest aspirations for their children. To illustrate this point, one need only make a brief comparative analysis between a couple of essential concepts common to the Montessori model, and for example, a contemporary, progressive Islamic model such as the Integrated Learning Model of the Tarbiyah Project. I’m quoting Dawud Tauhidi of the Tarbiyah Institute. “In addition to the principle of tawhid, there are a number of other principles that help form the theory base of the Tarbiyah framework. Several of these principles derive from reflecting on the process of growth and development (tarbiyah) found in nature… In order to be successful at their craft, educators must understand this fundamental law of growth and development, since it applies directly to children. Moreover, they must incorporate it into their own pedagogical (art of teaching) philosophy and practice. Otherwise, they will be working against the natural pattern of development that is inherent within nature and within each child. Only by aligning their pedagogical practice with this universal principle can educators best serve the interests of the children with whom they are entrusted. Educators like MARIA MONTESSORI understood this principle very well.” I’m quoting Maria Montessori from a speech she delivered in Copenhagen on May 22, 1937. “In our experience with children, we observed that the human child is a spiritual embryo, endowed with mysterious sensitivities that guide him, with creative energies that tend to construct a sort of marvelous instrument in men’s souls. Like a radio set that can receive the long and short waves that are transmitted through space, the sort of instrument that a child gradually constructs in his own soul is destined to receive the holy waves transmitting divine love through the boundless spheres of eternity. It is this sensitivity that makes man uniquely valuable: man is great because he can receive the emanations of the Godhead.” Other Islamic Schools with Montessori Orientation: Sunflower Montessori LLC in Livonia, Michigan USA Beverly Hills Academy in Beverly Hills, Michigan USA Huda School and Montessori in Franklin Michigan USA Afzal Islamic Montessori in Scarborough Ontario Canada Al-Sibgha School in Pakistan Al-Iman School

Challenging and Nurturing the Mind and Spirit for More than Twenty-Five Years