A Muslim youth center for the entire community
Located in Madison, Wisconsin, Madinah Academy of Wisconsin has been serving students and families since 2004 with a mission rooted in faith, resilience, and community connection. Serving grades 4K through 8th grade, Madinah Academy currently enrolls more than 160 students and continues to grow as a space where academic learning and Islamic moral development are deeply intertwined.
Led by Interim Middle School Principal Khuloud Amro and Interim Elementary School Principal Nour Farra, the school lives its motto each day: a Muslim youth center for the entire community. This vision is reflected not only in what students learn, but in how they learn, worship, and grow together.
Incorporating Islamic values into daily life
Madinah Academy incorporates Islamic values into the daily lives of students through Islamic dress, daily Dhuhr salah in jama’at, and monthly themes based on Islamic values that are tied into assembly and classroom expectations. Students participate in Quran competitions, Ramadan activities, research projects on Muslim explorers and inventors, and read books by Muslim authors.
These practices are woven throughout the school day, creating consistency between faith, academics, and character. Islam is not treated as a separate subject, but as a living framework that shapes how students interact with one another and the world around them.
Supporting student well-being and character development
At Madinah Academy of Madison, the QAIS (Quran, Arabic, and Islamic Studies) department partners with staff and families to support the tarbiyah of future leaders. This includes morning remembrance of Allah, daily salah, a weekly khutbah, bi-weekly halaqat for boys and girls, and monthly themes focused on moral character and values.
The school has also utilized the Leader in Me curriculum extensively. Students are recognized for exceptional behavior, reinforcing responsibility, leadership, and positive decision-making within the school community.
Celebrating achievements and milestones
Madinah Academy is proud of a range of recent achievements that reflect both innovation and collaboration. These include city-wide Arabic Spelling Bee competitions, a multi-year partnership with local colleges for Ramadan iftar, and participation in renewable energy contests such as KidWind.
Students also benefit from workshops dedicated to physical, emotional, and mental health, a yearly Robotics Club competition, and yearly classroom book publishing projects—opportunities that encourage creativity, teamwork, and confidence.
The role of parents and families
Parents play a vital role in supporting the development of future leaders at Madinah Academy. The school fosters strong parental engagement through a Parent-Teacher Committee, classroom volunteering opportunities, field trip chaperoning, and clear communication through newsletters and other channels.
Parents consistently support the efforts of the school, strengthening the partnership between home and classroom and reinforcing shared values that support students’ academic and spiritual growth.
A history shaped by resilience
Madinah Academy began with twenty students distributed between Pre-K and 2nd grade and six staff members. After a fire destroyed the original school building and made it uninhabitable, the school was hosted by a local church during a critical transition period. The community later faced additional challenges, including leadership transitions and the disruption of the pandemic.
During COVID-19, Madinah Academy transitioned into an online school and was accepted as part of Wisconsin School Choice. Following the pandemic, leadership developed a newly converted office space, added classrooms and teachers, built a playground, raised enrollment, and expanded to serve Pre-K through 8th grade students. Today, Madinah Academy continues fundraising efforts to purchase its building and secure a permanent home for future generations.
Looking ahead
Madinah Academy seeks to become a leading school in academics, the development of Islamic moral character, and supporting youth to become future leaders. Goals include securing the purchase of the school building, boosting state and national test scores, fostering a positive Islamic environment, and collaboratively raising confident, successful young Muslims.
Why ISLA school membership matters
As an ISLA school member, Madinah Academy is part of a network of schools across North America united by a shared commitment to tarbiyah and academic excellence. Through Islamic Schools League of America, the school benefits from professional development opportunities, training, workshops, and access to a supportive community of educators navigating similar opportunities and challenges. This connection ensures Madinah Academy continues to grow through shared learning and collective support.
Voices from the community
Student voice:
“The thing that I love most about Madinah Academy is how they teach us Quran and Islam. I love how the teachers are nice. They’re responsible, they’re truthful. I love how the teachers react to us when we do something wrong, they teach us right from the wrong and…I really like all my friends. They’re so nice!”
Parent voice:
“The school has positively impacted my children in so many ways. Being part of a strong Islamic community has given them a deep sense of belonging and pride in their faith and identity… They genuinely love going to school each day and often describe it as their second home… We truly see our children thriving academically, spiritually, and socially in this nurturing environment!”
Learn more about Madinah Academy of Wisconsin
Families, educators, and community members interested in learning more about Madinah Academy of Wisconsin—including programs, admissions, and school life—are encouraged to visit: mamonline.org. You can also connect with the school across multiple platforms through their Linktree at: linktr.ee/madinahacademy, which provides access to updates, social media, and additional resources.
To learn more about ISLA School Membership and how Islamic schools can grow through shared resources, collaboration, and professional development, visit: theisla.org/membership.
