Executive Summary
Darul Arqam Southeast
Ms. Farnaz Hassan, Principal
8830 Old Galveston Rd
Houston, TX 77034
Document Generated On April 1, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
1
Description of the School
2
School's Purpose
4
Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement
6
Additional Information
8
Executive Summary
Darul Arqam Southeast
Introduction
Every school has its own story to tell. The context in which teaching and learning takes place influences the processes and procedures by
which the school makes decisions around curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The context also impacts the way a school stays faithful
to its vision. Many factors contribute to the overall narrative such as an identification of stakeholders, a description of stakeholder
engagement, the trends and issues affecting the school, and the kinds of programs and services that a school implements to support student
learning. <br><br> The purpose of the Executive Summary (ES) is to provide a school with an opportunity to describe in narrative form the
strengths and challenges it encounters. By doing so, the public and members of the school community will have a more complete picture of
how the school perceives itself and the process of self-reflection for continuous improvement. This summary is structured for the school to
reflect on how it provides teaching and learning on a day to day basis.
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Executive Summary
Darul Arqam Southeast
Description of the School
Describe the school's size, community/communities, location, and changes it has experienced in the last three years. Include
demographic information about the students, staff, and community at large. What unique features and challenges are associated
with the community/communities the school serves?
Profile:
Darul Arqam is a full time, non-profit, private Islamic school. It is housed in a 12 acre campus in the Southeast Industrial area of Houston TX.
It is located in the same school zone as Pasadena Independent School District. The school was established in early 1990's with a couple of
mobile homes and a mosque. DUA Southeast caters to a diverse population that travels from many different areas of the city.
Governance:
Darul Arqam Southeast is operating under the Islamic Educational Institute of Texas (I.E.I.T.), which is a subsidiary of Islamic Society of
Greater Houston (I.S.G.H.). The main objective in establishing Darul Arqam Schools is to create a high quality educational institution that is
based upon a strong foundation of academic and spiritual growth and excellence. The major religious affiliation of the student body is Islam.
The teachers are from various religious affiliations.
Demographics:
Our student population comprises mainly of first generation Americans with immigrant parents from different parts of the world including
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Mddle East. The ethnic demographic make up is comprised of 46% Asians, 26% white and 3% African
American. Most of our students are bilingual and most of the parents are graduates or undergraduates.
School Enrollments and Staff:
DUA current enrollment is 76 students, 34 in the Preschool and 42 in the Elementary section. Out of these 42 are girls and 34 are boys.
Darul Arqam employs Principal, nineteen teachers, one daycare director, two administrative assistants, technology director, and physical
education instructor. Almost all teachers hold Bachelors or Masters degrees and some hold state certifications.
Physical Facilities:
The campus includes a gym, cafeteria, spacious classrooms, library and a computer lab with several laptops, desktops and a fairly operative
Internet. All classes have integrated technology with smart boards used regularly.
The school also has a daycare housed in a separate, secure building at the back. This building is in accordance with the strict standards of
licensing.
School Program
The school offers instructional classes from 7:45 to 3:15, an afterschool Hifz (Quran memorization) and Martial Arts program and a full time
daycare from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Curriculum:
The curriculum is based on the guidance provided by the Texas Education Agency. We teach all academic subjects (Math, Science, Social
Studies, and English) on guidelines/standards set by Texas Education Agency.
In addition, the school offers Islamic Studies, Arabic, Quran and after school Hifz (memorization of Quran) courses. We offer Hifz course after
school for two hours Monday through Thursday. The school offers daily prayers to practice Islam, spiritual growth and faith development.
Summer School Programs are also offered during the summer break. To supplement books, two online curricula, Ticket to Read and IXL
have also been introduced this year to reinforce English and Math Skills.
Standardized Testing:
Students from grade 1-6 are administered the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®)
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Executive Summary
Darul Arqam Southeast
The school administers IOWA test of basic skill to measure student's achievement in reading, language arts, mathematics, science and
social studies. Students in grades 1 and 2 take this test every spring.
Teachers administer nine-week benchmark assessments so that teachers and administrators can identify struggling students.
Teachers also give end of chapter tests that correlate to the main curriculum levels.
Records of student's grades and progress are compiled on the computer for the end of nine-week report cards. Students' progress reports
are given out four times during the year and parent-teacher conferences are set up as needed.
Students are tracked and those needing additional assistance are placed in after school tutorial programs.
Extra Curricular Activities:
Students participate n the following competitions regularly.
-Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA) academic meet.
-Inter district Basketball Tournaments
-Quran Recitation competition
-Creative Writing Competitions
-Debates Competitions
-Inter district Spelling Bee
-Science Fairs
-Box Tops
-Weekly bake sales
The community consists mostly of immigrants, and one of the major challenges faced by the community is to adapt to the American culture
and society and assimilate positive American values while maintaining its own unique identity.
Also, for a number of households, English is not the first language, which affects their communication and interaction with native English
speakers. Thus, a major challenge faced by the school is its significant student population being bilingual/ ELL.
Currently, the school does not have a formal ESL program in place. Teachers differentiate instruction to accommodate the needs of all
learners in their inclusive classrooms. Additionally the school needs a Gifted and Talented or Advanced Placement program to keep our
advanced learners engaged. The school has documented its improvement plan; and will continue its earnest efforts to maintain its progress
toward its goals and objectives
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Executive Summary
Darul Arqam Southeast
School's Purpose
Provide the school's purpose statement and ancillary content such as mission, vision, values, and/or beliefs. Describe how the
school embodies its purpose through its program offerings and expectations for students.
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 Muslim American citizens"
Vision
1.Prepare our children to become Muslim role models, exemplary citizens in their communities and to excel in their professional careers. Also
putting an emphasis on understanding the message of the Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) .
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 the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and
teaching
them to apply it 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 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.
9.School provides an environment based on the principles of Islam.
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.
The school administers IOWA test of basic skill measures student's achievement in reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social
studies. Students in Kindergarten thru 2nd grade take this test every spring.
Teachers administer nine-week benchmark assessments so that teachers and administrators can identify struggling students. Once the
struggling students are identified, and individual intervention plan is developed and implemented for each student. Teachers give end of
chapter tests that correlate to the main curriculum levels. Teachers keep records of student's grades and progress. These scores are
compiled on the computer for the end of nine-week report cards. Students' progress reports are given out four times during the year and
parent-teacher conferences are set up as needed. Students are tracked and those needing additional assistance are placed in before/ after
school tutorial programs.
Board of Trustee is an advisory board who gives approval of all school policies. Accounting and Finance Committee works closely with the
school principal and account manager to prepare a yearly budget for the School Board's approval. Our PTA organizes a major fundraiser and
a carnival each year in order to generate funds budgeted for general use in the school's events/activities.
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Darul Arqam Southeast
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Darul Arqam Southeast
Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement
Describe the school's notable achievements and areas of improvement in the last three years. Additionally, describe areas for
improvement that the school is striving to achieve in the next three years.
Darul Arqam started off as a Sunday school solely for religious studies attached to the masjid (Muslim church). From there it has grown into a
full time Elementary school that deems itself ready for Accreditation.
In the last three years it has seen a lot of turmoil, as management has been extremely unstable. The school saw four principals in the last
four years. Because of this there was a huge teacher turnover. Students exited because parents panicked and looked for alternatives. All
students from 6th exited and there was no 6th grade last year. As principals and teachers came and went there was no accountability and a
big financial loss was incurred. The school is non-profit and depends on tuition,donations and funds from the community. Because there was
no stable management, a trust deficit developed and the funds were also withheld.
Because of a huge teacher turnover, the grades of the students last year saw an all time low in the state tests.
The start of the new school year has seen the semblance of some stability. There has been no teacher turnover and that has resulted in
several new initiatives in the school
The school has a website that provides all information regarding the school.
http://www.southeast.darularqamschools.org/
We are now working with fully computerized and online School Management System 'Orbund'. The system has all student and staff data
available. The school communicates with parents and teachers through this system. Lesson plans from teachers, attendance, student grades
and reports can also be entered through Orbund. We are striving to streamline and improve this online management/communication tool in
the coming years with a stronger internet in the school.
School encourages parent input and involvement at the school; and keeps them continuously informed of curricular and extra-curricular
activities through quarterly newsletter, monthly event calendars, emails and Parent Teacher Conferences. Parents are encouraged to attend
the extracurricular events and volunteer their services. We are trying to develop a busier calendar of events with maximum parental
involvement .
The school has an active PTO, which any parent can join to support the school in various fund raising activities. However in the last few
years, the attendance at the PTO meetings has dwindled.We are aiming to have more fruitful and pro active PTO meetings in the future.
A senior Executive from the multi national Exxon Mobil volunteers in the school for which the company pays the school. We will try to attract
involvement with other similar programs that are financially beneficial to the school.
Math and Language teaching is supplemented by online curricula 'Ticket to Read' and 'IXL"
The school strives to develop its students into avid readers at the Elementary level. This objective is being targeted at several levels.
Reading Corners have been developed in every classroom where students go after they finish their work and read.. "Drop Everything and
Read' (DEAR) has been introduced in the school where everyone including the teachers and administrators stop what they're doing and read
for twenty minutes after Assembly.
In "I read to the Principal' three students come to the Principals office every day to read and get bookmarks.
The teachers have acquired logins through Eduphoria in a relationship with Pasadena ISD for their professional development sessions
School has developed a system of Intervention for the students having special needs. A group of specialists from PISD observe the students
and work in conjunction with our teachers to identify the needs of students through RTI
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Executive Summary
Darul Arqam Southeast
The teachers visit the classrooms of other teachers for Peer Observations and learn from each other. Their observations are formally
documented.
The major challenge faced by the school is lack of funds. Being a non-profit school it depends mostly on donations and fundraisers to
generate funds
A direct outcome of this challenge is the schools inability to hire Accredited and experienced personnel. The school is trying to have regular
fundraisers to address this issue.
Another challenge faced by the community is to adjust to the American culture and society and assimilate positive American values while
maintaining its own unique identity. To provide an environment that is acceptable and balanced is the biggest concern of the school.
For most families English is not the first language, which affects their communication and interaction with native English speakers. Thus, a
major challenge faced by the school is its significant student population being bilingual/ ELL. Currently, the school does not have a formal
ESL program in place. Teachers differentiate instruction to accommodate the needs of all learners in their inclusive classrooms. Additionally
the school needs a Gifted and Talented or Advanced Placement program to keep our advanced learners engaged. The school is aiming to
develop a strong ELA program by hiring reading specialists who will work with our students.
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Darul Arqam Southeast
Additional Information
Provide any additional information you would like to share with the public and community that were not prompted in the previous
sections.
We, at Southeast are mission driven to maintain a need blind financial process in our concerted attempt to facilitate families who have
embarked on the momentous journey to seek not just an Islamic education but an environment where their children can practice their religion
freely and confidently. A financial aid committee meets every month to evaluate and facilitate the financial needs of the students.
DUA Southeast seeks to engage all stakeholders in the school improvement process. It recognizes the value of each stakeholder group:
staff, students, parents, and the community; and makes efforts to understand their opinion on various aspects of the school and solicit their
support.
Information about goals and objectives, learning activities, and assessments related to each course of study are provided and discussed with
the school community.
School holds monthly Governing Board Meetings where major issues are discussed and decisions are made after evaluation.
Projects sent home by teachers include tips for parents as to how to work with their children and support their child's learning. Parents are
encouraged to attend the extracurricular events and volunteer their services.
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