|
Frequently Asked Questions
A:
Full-time
Islamic
schools
are the
most
recent
phenomenon
of the
Islamic
education
movement
in
America.
They
represent
a shift
towards
a more
comprehensive
approach
by
preserving
Islamic
identity
and
Muslim
heritage for the
community
at
large
and for
the
children
in
particular.
The
mission
of
full-time
Islamic
schools
can be
thought
of along
two
tracks:
defensive
and
proactive.
The
defensive
line
strives
to
shield
and
protect
the
children
from any
harmful
influences
that are
against
Islamic
morals
and
ethics.
The
proactive
line
seeks to
nurture
the
intellectual,
emotional,
social,
and
spiritual
growth
of
Muslim
children
with the
hope of
producing
confident,
competent
individuals
who will
be able
to go out
into
American
society
and
contribute
positively
without
compromising
their
Islamic
beliefs
and/or
practices.
Q: What is
ACA
School all
about?
A:
ACA
School
is an NCA
accredited
[
ACA
started
in 1996
and was
founded
by
parents
and
community
members
who
wanted
an
alternative
to
public
school
for
their
children.
ACA
serves
Muslim
children
and
their
families
from
the
Twin
Cities
and
their
surrounding
suburbs.
ACA
provides
instruction
in the
following
subjects:
Language
Arts,
Math,
Science,
Social
Studies,
Arabic
language,
Quran,
Islamic
studies,
Computer,
Fine
Arts,
and
Physical
Education.
Q: What
does ACA
School
offer?
A: ACA School offers: Qualified and committed teachers Low student-to-teacher ratio High commitment to academic excellence An academic curriculum designed to exceed all state/national standards Arabic, Quran, and Islamic studies Strong moral guidance Parental involvement in the educational process A multi-cultural staff and student population Affordable private education Financial aid for qualified low-income families and
excelling students A modern school facility owned by Muslims A well-rounded program including physical, intellectual, and artistic
stimulation
Q: How
successful
is
ACA
School?
A: The Stanford
10
results of
2008
and
2009
have
confirmed
that we are on
the right
track:
ACA
has
earned
the
top
15%
in
Reading
and
Math
in
the
nation! All
ACA
graduates
have
been
admitted
in
the
college
of
their
choice
with
scholarships!
Go to
top
Q: How
many
students are
in ACA
school
and
what are
their
demographics?
A: As
of
the
school
year
2008-2009
there
are
about 243
students
enrolled
at ACA
School.
The
figure
on the
right
shows
the
student
demographics
in terms
of the
languages
spoken
at home.
"Mixed"
stands
mostly
for
households
with
Arabic
and
English
language
origin,
but
other
combinations
exist as
well.
Q: Where
can I
get more
information?
A: This web
site is
updated
regularly
with the
latest
information
about
the
school
and
school
related
events.
Our
Flyer
provides
an
overview
of
ACA
school's
mission,
environment,
curriculum
and
important
facts.
The ACA
School
Newsletter
is
a
good
source
for more
current
information.
If you
have a
specific
question
that you can
not find
answered
here,
please
feel
free to
contact
us per
mail,
email, phone
or fax
(more
info see
below).
A: You can contact us:
Per
mail
at
our
address:
Arizona
Cultural
Academy
7810
E
42nd
Pl,
Phoenix, AZ
85042
Per
email
at:
administrations@azacademy.org
Per
phone
at:
(602)
454-1222
during
our
office
hours
8AM-4PM
Monday
through
Friday
Per
fax
at:
(602)
454-1222
Q: Why should I send my child to ACA?
A: There are three main reasons why you might want to send your children to
ACA
School:
Islamic
Environment:
ACA
School
offers
an
Islamic
environment
that
is
conducive
to
the Academic,
social,
spiritual
and
physical
growth
of
your
child.
Children
excel
in
all
aspects
of
life
when
they
grow
up
in
such
a safe
and
nurturing
environment.
Educational Success: We believe that because of the environment, the dedication of our teachers and the involvement of our parents, ACA students are more successful than the national average. In fact, our records show that the longer the students stay with ACA the more they improve. For more details
see
above
Islamic
Knowledge:
ACA
School
offers
daily
instructions
in Qur'an,
Arabic
and
Islamic
Studies
embedded
within
the
core
curriculum
subjects.
At
the
same
time,
it
provides
an
environment
in
which
the
students
can
practice
their
religion
freely
and
receive
feedback
to
improve
their
understanding
of
Islam.
Q:
Does
ACA
have
space
for my
child?
A:
We have
a
waiting
list in
Pre-K
and the
lower
elementary
grades.
For
information
specific
for your
situation,
please
contact
the
school
(
Q:
What are
the
admission
requirements?
A:
Following
are the
admissions
criteria:
Acceptance
and
commitment
to
the
mission
statement
Academic
history
based
on
previous
school
records
(if
applicable)
Successful
completion
of
placement
test
(1st
through
12
Evidence
of a
history
of
positive
school
behavior
Admissions
priority
will be
given
based on
the
following
criteria:
Having
a
parent
who
is a
staff
member
Having
a
sibling
that
is
currently
enrolled
(must
not
have
an
outstanding
balance)
Date
of
application
Having
previously
attended
an
Islamic
school
(if
applicable)
Each
family
must
submit a
non-refundable
$50
application
fee with
their
application.
For detailed
admission procedure
click
here.
Q:
How much
does it
cost
(tuition
rates)?
A:
The
Board
has
worked
with the
parents
to set
the
lowest
possible
tuition
rates
while
still keeping
the
school
running.
The cost
for
field
trips
and
additional
personal
items
(such as
uniforms,
backpacks,
school
supplies etc.) is
not part
of the
tuition
and is
the
responsibility
of the
parents.
In an
effort
to
improve
the billing
and
collection
process,
tuition
rates
are
divided
into
four
independent
tiers or
levels:
1.
Preschool
Level
(Pre-K
-
K)
Sibling
Discount:
Registration
Fee:
Q:
Is
financial
aid
available?
A:
Once a
student
is
admitted,
parents
can
apply
for
financial
aid.
Financial
aid is
offered
based on
the
demonstrated
needs
and
available
resources.
Q: What is the parent's
role at ACA?
A:
Researchers
and
practitioners
have
long
acknowledged
a strong
link
between
parent
involvement
and
children's
success
in
school.
ACA
encourages
parent
involvement
because
it
increases
student
achievement,
enhances
self-esteem,
improves
behavior,
and
betters
school
attendance.
The
primary
purpose
of the
ACA
PTA
(Parent-Teacher
Association)
is
to
promote
the
welfare of
he
children
at
school and
home
by
focusing on
education,
social
events,
and
sports.
PTA
is a
forum
where
parents can
get
involved
in
and
support
various
school initiatives.
PTA's role
is
to
communicate
and
solicit
support
in
different
areas.
The ACA
PTA
members
have
either
initiated
or
been involved
in
various
activities:
after
school
tutoring,
annual
school
picnic,
teacher
appreciation
week,
support
in
organizing
of
school
fundraising
events,
quarterly
parents
potlucks,
addressing
parents'
collective
issues
with
board
and
administration,
etc.
Q:
Does
ACA
offer
transportation?
A:
ACA
School
does
not
offer
transportation,
but
the
following
options
are available:
Students
residing
in Phoenix
can
use
the
school
bus
system
offered
by
the
City
of
Phoenix
without
additional
cost. Parents
carpool
to
transport
their
children.
Q:
Is it
possible
to visit
the
school?
A:
ACA
always
receives
and
welcomes
visitors
who want
to learn
about
its
programs,
students,
various
activities
and
teaching
practices
in order
to get a
first
hand
impression.
Please
contact
the
office
using
the
contact
information
(
Q:
How can
a
teacher
apply
for a
teaching
position?
A:
Qualified
teachers
are
invited
to apply
for the
positions
of
elementary
homeroom
teachers,
subject
teachers
for
middle
and high
school
as well
as
Islamic
studies,
Arabic
and
Qur'an.
Essential
requirements:
Bachelors
Degree
(or
higher)
in a
closely
related
field
Fluency
in
English
Authorized
to
work
in
the
U.S.
Good
knowledge
of
Islam
A
minimum
of 2
years
teaching
experience
in
an
accredited
educational
institution
or a
U.S.
teaching
certificate
is
preferred
A
teaching
license
may
be
required
depending
on
the
subject/grade
level.
We
offer:
Islamic
environment
for
staff
members,
students
and
parents
Priority
for
children
of
staff
members
in
admission
process
Please
send
your
cover
letter
and
resume
to
|
