- School Motto: In pursuit of Spiritual and Academic Excellence
- Location: 1957 Genesee St., Buffalo, NY 14221
- School Leader: Hissen Habir – Head of School
- Year Established: 2001
- Grades Served: PK – 12
- Current Enrollment: 108 Students
- School Website: myuniversalschool.org
- Jobs Available at Universal School: myuniversalschool.org/jobs
At our school, Islamic values are thoughtfully integrated into the daily lives of our students in the following ways:
- Morning Circle & Du’a: Each day begins with a morning gathering that includes remembrance of Allah (dhikr) and supplications (du’a), setting a spiritual tone for the day.
- Islamic Dress Code: Students follow attire guidelines that reflect modesty and align with Islamic principles.
- Halal & Vegetarian Food: All meals and snacks provided are either halal-certified or vegetarian to ensure compliance with Islamic dietary laws.
- Prayer-Centered Schedule: Our daily class schedule is arranged around salah (prayer) times, allowing students to pray in congregation and build a consistent connection with their faith.
Some of the achievements and milestones our school is proud of include — but are not limited to — the following:
- Successfully completing our third round of accreditation, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to academic excellence and institutional improvement.
- Strongly encouraging and supporting our students to pursue the Regents Diploma, setting high academic standards and preparing them for future success.
Our school is committed to supporting student well-being and character development through a variety of programs and initiatives, including:
- Weekly Character & Khidma (Service) Opportunities – Encouraging students to embody Islamic values through acts of service and community involvement.
- Full-Time Mental Health Counselor – Providing accessible support to students for their emotional and psychological well-being.
- Dedicated SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) Teacher – Helping students build self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal skills.
- Weekly Friday Khutbahs – Offering spiritually enriching reminders and guidance grounded in Islamic teachings.
- Extracurricular Activities & Clubs – Giving students the chance to explore interests, develop leadership skills, and foster a sense of belonging.
Looking ahead, our school has several key goals and aspirations for the future:
- Establishing a Daycare Program – Introducing a daycare would be a vital step in serving our community’s growing needs and supporting families with young children.
- School Expansion Plans – We are actively working on expanding our facilities to better accommodate our students and enhance the learning environment.
Voices from the Community:
“Universal School presents a beacon of light to the needy Islamic youth of today—striving to nurture Muslims by faith, not just by name.”
– Seheri Raya, Current High School Student
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“The school has given my children a positive environment to wake up to and be in every day. “
– Zahir Lewis, Parent
Looking into the school:
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.
