Quran in the Heart. Excellence in Every Part.
This month, ISLA is pleased to spotlight Carriers of Light (COL), an ISLA School Member in Wheaton, Illinois.
Established in 2010, Carriers of Light has grown from a small supplementary program serving homeschooled children into a full-time school serving 140 students in preschool through sixth grade. Along the way, the school has developed a distinctive approach that brings together academic learning, Qur’anic education, Islamic character development, student leadership, creativity, and community.
From 12 Students to a Growing School Community
Carriers of Light began in 2010 as a part-time supplementary educational program serving homeschooled children. What started as a small initiative in the basement of one of its founders has grown into a full-time school dedicated to providing an integrated education that nurtures both faith and academic excellence.
Over the years, COL has moved through several locations, including MSI, an office building, and the Islamic Center of Wheaton (ICW), before establishing its home at 1607 Taft Avenue in Wheaton, Illinois. As the school continued to grow, so did its vision for the future.
Beginning with just one class of 12 students, COL has experienced consistent enrollment growth, reflecting the community’s trust in its distinctive educational approach. The school combines comprehensive academic instruction aligned with the Common Core State Standards with a strong foundation in Qur’an, Arabic, Tajweed, and Islamic Studies.
Its commitment to nurturing faith, character, and academic achievement remains at the heart of its mission.
A Year of Milestones
Carriers of Light has much to celebrate in 2026.
The school earned Cognia Accreditation in June 2026, marking an important milestone in its continued growth and development.
Students also earned second place in the Midwest League Basketball Tournament, while the launch of a Student Council in fall 2026 created another avenue for student voice and leadership.
Islamic Values Woven into the School Day
At Carriers of Light, Islamic values are integrated into students’ daily experiences rather than taught only as a separate subject.
Students begin and end their days with Qur’an, salah, duas, and opportunities to practice Islamic manners and character. Teachers intentionally connect Islamic teachings to academics, relationships, decision-making, and everyday interactions.
For example, as part of the science fair, students connect their projects and scientific concepts to a relevant Hadith or Qur’anic ayah, helping them recognize the relationship between their studies and Islamic teachings.
Daily and weekly practices include:
- Morning Meeting: Sets the tone for the day and establishes a daily routine of starting with remembrance of Allah ﷻ
- Adhkar: Recitation of traditional daily adhkar
- Adab & Akhlaq: Focus on adab and akhlaq with seamless integration of Islamic tarbiya
- Hadith Immersion: Learning and implementing ahadith over several weeks
- School-wide Surah Al-Kahf reading every Friday
- Daily Qur’an reading during Ramadan to complete a khatm
- Jumu’ah khutbahs prepared and led by upper-grade boys
Building Character, Leadership, and Well-Being
At Carriers of Light, student well-being and character development are woven into everyday school life.
Its Qur’an-centered education emphasizes kindness, honesty, responsibility, respect, and compassion. Daily Qur’an learning and prayer help students develop a strong spiritual foundation.
Teams of Light builds leadership, collaboration, and relationships across grade levels, while project-based learning and Genius Hour encourage confidence, creativity, and perseverance.
Teachers intentionally support students’ social, emotional, and individual needs as they grow.
Families as Essential Partners
Parents and families are essential partners in their children’s education at Carriers of Light.
Families stay connected through school events, parent meetings, volunteering, and ongoing communication with teachers and the school. A strong PTA plays an important role in building community and organizes educational and social events throughout the year.
Parents are encouraged to share feedback and contribute to strengthening the school community. Families are also encouraged to reinforce at home the values and habits developed at school.
Together, school and home create a consistent environment of faith, care, character, and high expectations.
Looking Ahead: The New COL Home
Carriers of Light is embarking on an exciting new chapter with the development of its 49,000-square-foot New COL Home, featuring 22 classrooms across three floors.
This expanded facility represents more than a new building; it is an investment in the future of COL students and the growing community it serves.
Designed to support continued growth and enrich the learning experience, the New COL Home will provide expanded opportunities for academic learning, Qur’anic education, science, creativity, athletics, and student development.
It will also support COL’s expansion into seventh and eighth grades and its middle school vision through focused study of Islamic Sciences, including Fiqh, Aqeedah, Tafsir, and Hadith.
Students will also develop future-ready competencies such as cognitive flexibility, collaboration and leadership, communication and listening, Muhasabah, Tafakkur, emotional intelligence, resilience, and unstructured problem-solving.
Within COL’s supportive, nurturing environment, students will be nurtured to strengthen their Muslim identity, develop their character, and thrive in an ever-changing world.
Voices from the Carriers of Light Community
A fifth-grade student shared:
“I think the school is great. I love how the Quran teachers are the best. I have been improving in Quran. I have been improving in many subjects like Science, Math, ELA, Tajweed, and Arabic. I love how every Friday we gather and read Surah Kahf.”
A sixth-grade student reflected:
“I love how the teachers are all from diverse backgrounds and each have a story to tell and a unique way they teach or discipline. I also like how the friends we have here are good people and kind and smart who will be with me forever.”
Parents also shared the impact COL has had on their children:
“The school has been successful in building the love for Quran and Deen in my child’s heart and for that I am forever grateful.”
“Grateful for excellent attention and care towards my children’s academics and Quran.”
One longtime parent shared:
“Alhumdulilah COL has come a long way. I have been a part of COL for many years. I keep coming back, because COL environment feels like home. Teachers are loving and they practice what they preach. I always felt my voice was heard.”
Why ISLA School Membership?
Networking is an essential part of Carriers of Light’s philosophy.
In sharing why the school values its ISLA membership, COL noted:
“We value the meaningful opportunities ISLA provides for educational leaders to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and support each other’s growth.”
Carriers of Light is part of ISLA’s national network of Islamic schools and educators working to strengthen Islamic education through shared learning, resources, professional development, and connection.
Interested in becoming an ISLA School Member? Learn more and join the ISLA network:
https://theisla.org/membership/
Contact Carriers of Light
Address: 1607 Taft Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60189
Website: http://www.carriersoflight.com
Email: info@carriersoflight.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carriersoflightschool/?hl=en
