- School Motto: Nurturing the Mind, Body, and Soul of Future Muslim Generations through Traditional Islamic Knowledge and Authentic Montessori Education
- Location: Columbia, Maryland (with a new campus opening soon in Sterling, Virginia)
- School Leader: Salam Aref: Co-Founder, Head of School
- Year Established: 2016
- Grades Served: Ages 2 through Grade 6, with plans to expand to adolescent programming (Farm School Model Middle and High School)
- Current Enrollment: 190 students
- School Website: www.ayamontessori.com/
How does your school incorporate Islamic values into the daily lives of students?
Islam at Aya is not taught in isolation. It is lived, absorbed, and reflected in the way we speak, learn, walk, and grow together. Duaa, dhikr, and prayer is part of the children’s natural rhythm and daily life. Grace and Courtesy lessons are deeply inspired by the character of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and help children learn how to treat themselves, others, and the environment with kindness and respect.
Qur’an, Islam, and Arabic are taught in small groups or one-on-one, much like a traditional kuttaab or madrasah, meeting each child where they are. The one-on-one model is so beloved that children often rush to be first in line for their lesson with our Qur’an teachers. There is a deep joy and eagerness in this sacred part of their day, and it shows in the way they speak, recite, and reflect on what they’ve learned. As a head of school, regular classroom observations are the most important part of my job, and I often see children reciting Quran or singing nasheed while doing activities, or casually taking turns in reciting ayaat from the Quran while collaborating on an activity together.
Our classrooms are intentionally mixed-age, which creates a culture of mentorship and mutual care. Older children guide the younger ones with gentleness and pride, and the younger ones learn from their peers in a way that builds confidence and trust.
Beauty and culture are reflected in every corner of our environment, from the handmade materials to the Arabic calligraphy and natural elements carefully chosen with ihsaan. This care is not only aesthetic but spiritual, helping the child recognize that learning is a form of worship and that beauty is a pathway to gratitude.
In addition to core academic and spiritual studies, children are immersed in the richness of traditional Islamic arts. From nasheed and calligraphy to storytelling and drumming, we honor the spiritual heritage that has long accompanied Islamic learning. These practices awaken the heart and offer children meaningful ways to express faith through beauty, sound, and creativity. When we establish the adolescence farm school insha’Allah, horseback riding, swimming, and archery will become an integral part of our P.E. program, Bi’ithni Allah, in addition to having a guest house for adolescents to host guest scholars/shukyukh and artists from all over the world to share their knowledge with our community.
We also believe in connecting children to their broader Muslim community. As part of that commitment, we recently purchased a school bus to take our Upper Elementary students to Jummah prayers. For many of them, attending Jummah together is not only an act of worship but a living lesson in belonging, responsibility, and unity.
Can you share a recent achievement or milestone your school is proud of?
Aya Montessori recently became the first and only Muslim AMI/USA member school in the United States. This is a meaningful milestone that speaks to our commitment to authentic Montessori education rooted in Islamic values. As Head of School, I had the privilege of sharing our model for Spiritual Education at the Black Montessori Conference at Howard University in June 2025.
In 2021, our school transitioned from a small, rented space with room for just 40 children to the purchase of a 15,000-square-foot building in the heart of Columbia, Maryland. The new campus sits on two acres of land, offering an ideal balance of accessibility and natural beauty. We thoughtfully renovated the entire space to reflect Montessori principles and the Islamic value of ihsaan, creating an environment that invites peace, purpose, and wonder. In doing so, we also exceeded the typical standard for square footage per child, expanding from 35 to 55 square feet per child to ensure our children have the space they need to move, grow, and thrive.
Today, Aya is proud to be the largest Montessori school in Howard County, whether religious or secular. What began as a small family effort has grown into a thriving community of nearly 200 students and a team that has expanded from just 7 staff members to over 30 and counting.
We are proud to welcome families from many different backgrounds by accepting BOOST scholarships and state vouchers. Over the past few years, we have sponsored the Montessori training of fourteen staff members, investing more than $200K in building a strong, qualified team for our children.
This year, we also launched the Aya Quran Academy, a traditional Hifth program designed to support students who wish to memorize the Qur’an during the school day. We currently have more than 25 children (and counting) who are on their Hifdh journey.
Perhaps one of our proudest achievements this year has been our ability to support children with unique learning and medical needs. We hired our first para-educator for one of our autistic students and brought on an Individual Support Professional to assist a child who requires extra medical care throughout the day. These steps reflect our commitment to inclusion and to meeting each child’s needs with dignity, compassion, and care.
It’s worth noting that Aya Montessori has managed to keep tuition rates lower than what is typically seen in Montessori schools, while offering highly competitive salaries. Administrative and lead positions earn between $55,000 and $85,000 annually, and assistants and substitutes start at $18 per hour with clear opportunities for growth.
Aya stands as a model of what is possible with strong vision and intentional planning. In just a few short years, we have built a thriving, high-quality program without relying on donations or fundraisers. As a privately run school, we’ve been able to grow sustainably while investing in both our staff and our families.
What programs or initiatives does your school have to support student well-being and character development?
We approach well-being and character as an essential part of every child’s growth. From the earliest years, children contribute to their classroom through daily responsibilities. They clean up after themselves, care for plants and animals, and look after one another. These small acts build independence and a sense of purpose.
Maria Montessori once described the teacher as someone who must be both a scientist and a saint. While this expression is rhetorical, it beautifully captures the balance required of the Montessori guide as someone who observes with precision and objectivity, like a scientist, while also embodying patience, humility, and moral integrity in their interactions with children.
At Aya, we understand this as a call to cultivate both technical skill and spiritual awareness in our work. Our guides are trained to watch and listen closely, responding not from impulse but with intention and care. Through regular observation, they plan Grace and Courtesy lessons with the same thoughtfulness given to academic subjects, offering them in ways that support each child’s unique path of development. This blend of insight and character is at the heart of the Montessori guide’s role and aligns deeply with the Islamic values we aim to live by.
Our professional development plan is integrated with Positive Discipline training for both staff and parents. Children practice emotional literacy, mindfulness, and respectful communication. In Elementary, daily community meetings allow for Shurah and peer-led conflict resolution. Projects and research work are often connected to Qur’an, Islamic history, and values that help children link knowledge to their faith.
We are also fortunate to have access to an expansive outdoor environment that supports physical, emotional, and social well-being. Children regularly use outdoor space for lesson practice, movement, and exploration. From gardening and Physical Education to imaginative play and peaceful reflection, the land becomes an extension of the classroom, allowing learning to flow naturally beyond its walls.
We have welcomed a school counselor to support the socioemotional well-being of our students and brought in monthly Montessori consultants to guide and strengthen our practice. In addition, we collaborate with occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and social workers to provide holistic support for both children and their families.
Recognizing the depth of care our educators offer each day, we are making mental health support available through school-funded therapy sessions for any staff member who wishes to take part. This reflects our belief that nurturing the adults in our community is just as essential as nurturing the children they serve.
What role do parents and families play in your school community?
Parents are an essential part of the life of our school. At Aya, we view families as active partners in the shared responsibility of nurturing and educating children. Their presence is felt in many meaningful ways, from leading storytelling sessions and organizing iftar nights to helping bring Ramadan and Hajj experiences to life through collaborative committees.
We offer regular opportunities for connection and learning, including Parent Education Nights, our Aya Community Talk series, and Montessori Book Clubs that invite reflection and dialogue.
Understanding that family life can be full, we provide flexible ways for parents to participate throughout the year. Whether lending a hand with one of educational experiences, chaperoning field trips, teaching a skill, volunteering in the classroom, or helping behind the scenes, every contribution is valued and helps strengthen the fabric of our community.
Looking ahead, what are your school’s goals or aspirations for the future?
We are currently preparing to open a second campus in Sterling, Virginia, and to launch what we believe will be the world’s first AMI-recognized Islamic Adolescence Montessori Farm School for Middle and High School.
Our dream is to raise young adults who are spiritually grounded, intellectually curious, and socially responsible. We want our students to grow in their relationship with their Creator, to understand themselves, and to see their role in the world with clarity and purpose. Our future campus will bring them closer to the land, to meaningful work, and to a deeper understanding of interdependence in both natural and human communities.
As a school, we are always reflecting and striving to grow. Whether it is refining our programs, deepening our training, or expanding our support for families, our commitment to improvement is ongoing. Every year brings new lessons, and we welcome them with humility and a desire to serve our children better.
Voices from the Community:
“Our Quran teacher is an angel. She is like the grandmother to all the children here at Aya!”
– Student
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“The amount of itqan, ihsan, time, dedication, professionalism, integrity, intellect and wisdom and LOVE is just jaw dropping, flabbergasting and awe inspiring… What a blessing Aya is!!!…May Allah open your doors, increase you in every aspect of RIZQ that Allah showers you with in barakah , may He guide you and flood you with ease and patience and wisdom and may He accept from you and weigh it heavy on your scales and the scales of your entire progeny and lineage from the first of your family to the last of your line on the day of judgement. Ameen. “
~
“I would like to thank you very much for being compassionate and protective toward my child. While my child was initially very shy, now she has become much more confident and has developed strong play skills. This transformation happened first by the will of God and then through your support and efforts. I am very happy that I enrolled my child in your school, and we are already dreaming of continuing this journey with you through elementary school as well.”
~
“The Aya Family has been a blessing to us. The majority of our family lives abroad and I personally feel that Aya fills that void for us. Aya challenges [our daughter] to grow and also allows me to go to work knowing that she is learning and under the care of professional, kind, and a nurturing staff. I am very proud of Aya’s mission to nurture our children. I am sure that it is not always easy but it critical. You are growing the future generation of our community.”
– Parent
Looking into the school:
Staff’s Spiritual Development Day (on a farm):
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKA6LTgvU_C/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D
Parent-Led Interactive Seerah Activity:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBcvrs0ARFg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Children in Action (Independence & Responsibility):
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DA9ym-SgtvQ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Children Working (Learning beyond classroom walls):
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJYFGZuuL4_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Want to learn how an ISLA membership can benefit your school?
ISLA school members have the exclusive opportunity to 1. Post job ads to our webpage, public to a network of over 8500+ educators, 2. Obtain discounts on PDs, PLCs, and Webinars 3. Showcase your school on an interactive map used by parents and the community to find nearby Islamic schools. Join today as a school member: theisla.org/membership/
Reach out to executive-assistant@theisla.org for any questions or assistance.
