Darul Arqam School -

The Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH) is the largest Islamic Community Organization in USA operating 17 masajid and musallas in the Greater Houston area. Through its subsidiary- Islamic Education Institute of Texas (IEIT), ISGH presently operates four full time schools under the name of Darul Arqam. These schools are located in the North, South, Southeast, and Southwest Centers. The main objective in establishing the Darul Arqam Schools is to create quality educational institutions that excel in academics and produce morally responsible citizens. All four schools are licensed and recognized by the State of Texas. Darul Arqam Schools provide education superior to that offered by public schools in addition to an Islamic education and environment.

The total enrollment is over 900 students. Classes are offered through 12th grade at the North Zone School, up to 8th grade at the Southwest School, up to 5th grade at the Southeast School and up to 6th grade at the South School. IEIT has plans to expand all the schools to 12th grade Insha Allah.

Darul Arqam Schools conduct National and State standardize tests, such as the IOWA tests and PSAT test regularly per district and national calendar. Though private schools are exempt from taking standardized tests, Darul Arqam Schools conduct these tests in order to ensure that students maintain and achieve academic excellence that can be measured against the neighboring public and private schools.

Darul-Arqam Schools participate in many enrichment programs such as:

• MIST-Muslim Interscholastic Tournament
• PSIA- Private Schools Inter Scholastic Competition
• Inter-School Quran Competition
• Science Symposium
• Inter-School Science Fair
• Boys and Girls Athletic Programs
• Hajj, Eid, and Ramadan Celebrations
• Muslim Cultural Day
• Inter/ Intra School Sports and Athletic Programs
• Field Trips & Art Festivals
• Spelling Bee

Darul Arqam North began operating as a full-time school in 1992. At that time, the school was based in two mobile homes. The 8 member faculty taught 33 students in pre-Kindergarten to 3rd grade. Today, by the Grace of God, the school has developed into a full-time Pre-K to 12th grade Islamic school, with a faculty of 28 teachers, and a student body of 320. The two mobile homes have given way to a two-story steel and brick building that houses 17 classrooms, a library, science & computer labs, and a prayer/assembly hall. A separate building houses an air-conditioned gymnasium that doubles as the school cafeteria. 

MISSION STATEMENT:

"Preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges and hereafter by instilling Islamic values and high moral standards, through enriched curriculum that fosters holistic development, thus empowering them to become productive American Muslim Citizens”

With the help of Allah (SWT), the Mission Statement of Darul Arqam Schools is committed to the following principles:

1. Prepare our children to become Muslim role models, exemplary citizens in their communities, and to excel in their professional careers.
2. Inculcate in our children Islamic values, habits, attitudes, high moral and ethical standards, tolerance, and patience that are characteristics of a good Muslim.
3. Teach our children to read and understand the message of the Quran, and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and to apply these in every facet of their personal and professional lives.
4. Help students exit with academic skills at or above their grade level.
5. Engage the students in a rich curriculum to acquire the skills and love of effective learning.
6. Encourage the faculty and staff to communicate high expectations of and respect to every student.
7. Extend to the greater community, through partnership with parents a genuine appreciation of the value of excellence in education.
8. Empower the faculty and staff through mutual respect, ongoing training, strong leadership, and sufficient resources to implement an educational program of high excellence.

OBJECTIVES:

1. Instill in our students a love and understanding of the teachings and practices of Islam with particular emphasis on respect, effective communication, and cooperation.
2. Maintain continual progress towards accreditation by SACS / CASI.
3. Continue to meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
4. Differentiate instruction according to the strengths and needs of each student learner.
5. Consolidate, evaluate, and prioritize interventions to at-risk students.
6. Provide opportunities to all students to exceed the national and state standards.
7. Review the curriculum on an ongoing basis for potential improvements in order to enhance Standardize tests scores on National and State assessments.
8. Provide staff development and support to teachers geared towards enhancing their pedagogical skills.
9. Continue to integrate and implement technology in school and classrooms.
10. Continue improve school facilities and investment in resources in a timely manner to accommodate for the expected increase in student population.

PHILOSOPHY:

The philosophy of the Islamic Education Institute of Texas, “IEIT” in establishing Darul Arqam school system is to impart Islamic spiritual training (“Tarbia”) along with the educational tools to achieve academic excellence.

The curriculum includes all core subjects, with all of the required directives of TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) as determined by Texas Education Agency. In addition to the regular academic subjects taught in public and private schools in America, Darul Arqam Schools’ curriculum includes Arabic, Quran, and Islamic Studies courses as separate independent subjects. We are committed to instilling in the students the Islamic values, habits, attitudes, ethical standards, patience, and tolerance that are the characteristics of a good Muslim.

SOME FACTS ABOUT DARUL ARQAM NORTH 

• Six classes have graduated from Darul Arqam after completing the 12th grade. Over 90% have either completed their bachelors degrees or are currently enrolled in undergarduate or post graduate programs at their college of choice. Several of our graduates are attending college on scholarships earned as students under the challenging curriculum and guidance of our dedicated staff of teachers and administrators. 

• The typical Darul Arqam student exceeds state and national standards on IOWA, TAKS, and SAT assessment exams. 

• Darul Arqam students earned an outstanding 80 medals in 2007 and 111 medals in the 2007 district-wide Private School Inter-Scholastic Association scholastic meet.

• Darul Arqam finished first overall for the fourth consecutive year in the annual city-wide Islamic School Quranic Memorization/Recitation competition in 2007.

• Darul Arqam finished 1st overall in the annual city-wide Muslim Student Association MIST scholastic competition for an unprecedented fourth time in 2008-09, 1st place overall in the 2008 Mist nationals in Atlanta, Georgia, 2nd place overall in the 2007 MIST nationals in Wash. D.C./Maryland, and 2nd place overall in the 2006 MIST nationals in Houston,TX.

• Over 90% of Darul Arqam students meet standards as set by the State of Texas' TAKS exams.