Starting or growing an Islamic school requires more than a strong vision. It takes careful planning, experienced leadership, sustainable finances, and a clear understanding of the community’s needs.
At ISLA’s free webinar, Starting Strong: Building & Growing a Sustainable Islamic School, experienced school leaders Iyad Wazwaz, Salam Aref, and Magda Elkadi Saleh joined moderator Karam Asad to share lessons from their journeys in Islamic education.
Key Takeaways
Start with a clear vision and community needs.
Before opening a school, founders need to understand the community they serve, define their educational mission, and build trust with families and stakeholders.
Make informed governance decisions.
The panelists discussed the considerations involved in operating independently or under a masjid or community organization, emphasizing the importance of clear roles, strong leadership, and governance structures that support the school’s mission.
Plan realistically for facilities and growth.
Opening a school typically requires one to two years of preparation. Facility planning, building codes, safety requirements, budgeting, and access to experienced educators and advisors all play an important role.
Build a sustainable financial model.
Schools must understand their operating costs, research local salary expectations, and offer competitive compensation to attract and retain qualified educators. The discussion also explored different school models and community investment approaches.
Invest in people and school culture.
Finding qualified school leaders can be challenging. The panelists highlighted the value of developing talent from within, seeking experienced advisors, and building a strong team and school culture before focusing solely on facilities or enrollment growth.
Start small and grow intentionally.
Rather than trying to build everything at once, schools can begin with a manageable model, learn from experience, and strengthen their systems as they grow.
Recording of the Webinar
Resources Shared During the Webinar
ISLA shared resources to help school leaders plan and strengthen their operations:
- ISLA School Management Toolkit
- Checklist: New Islamic School Establishment
- Checklist: Two-year Timeline
- 5D Thinking: A resource referenced during the discussion about educational approaches.
- National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Data Dashboard: A paid resource mentioned during the webinar for school data analysis and comparisons.
- Contact the presenter:
Magda Elkadi Saleh: magdasaleh@bayaanacademy.orgSalam Aref: salam@ayamontessori.comPrincipal: principal@crescentview.org
Continue Learning with ISLA
Thank you to our moderator, panelists, attendees, and the ISLA community for supporting opportunities to learn from one another and strengthen Islamic education.
ISLA remains committed to providing research, relationships, and resources that support Islamic schools at every stage of their journey.
Explore resources and upcoming programs at theisla.org.
