Creating An Islamic

School
Kathy Ahmed
PHASES OF DEVELOPMENT

Phase I – Research and

Planning
Phase II – Creating the
Foundation
 Phase I – Research and
Planning
The School Planning Committee
Diverse Members
 Ethnic, demographic
 Fields of professions
 Ex: Educators strive for academic excellence but
need realistic budget, while financial officers need
to be reminded of high academic standards =
BALANCE!
Establish the mission statement
 Reminds us of the purpose – today and
future
School Planning Committee

C O M M U N IT Y
P o s s ib le C o n s t it u e n ts

P a r e n ts C o m m u n it y L e a d e r s P r o f e s s i o n a ls E d u c a to rs
V i s io n a r i e s R e lig io u s M a rk e tin g a n d S a le s A c a d e m ic F o c u s
O r g a n iz a t io n a l A tto rn e y s Is la m ic
P o lit ic a l B u s in e s s o w n e r s S e c u la r
Marketing in the
Community
S e llin g t h e C o n c e p t

C o m m u n it y Id e n t ify in g

F ir s t S c h o o l in A r e a M u lt i p l e S c h o o l s i n A r e a

S e l li n g t h e P u r p o s e o f a n Is l a m i c S c h o o l S e l l in g S p e c i f i c S c h o o l P h i l o s o p h y

G r e a te r M e tro A re a " O n e M a s jid T o w n "

First School Communities
Question whether community will support
the idea
Seek support from key leaders
Utilize various statistical information
(i.e. surveys, local Masajid community lists)
 Use information that will help further marketing
strategies, such as community needs and
demographics
Presentations
 Show results of other existing schools
Multiple School Areas
Why do we need another school?
How is this school different?
Identify possible conflicts with
other schools and be proactive by
creating supporting relationships
PHASE II –
Creating the Foundation
Legal
Financial
Academic
Marketing Community Continued
A: Legalities
Organizational Options
 State Dept. Non-Profit Corporation or Education Corp.
 Tax-Exemption Status
 Charter Schools in your state
 Religious education – is it an option?
 Non-Public School State Affiliation
Drafting By-laws
 Seek ISNA Education Dept and other school’s support
 Seek attorney with appropriate background
Define and Redefine
 Committees (ad hoc and standing)

 Executive (Shura), School Board &

Administration
 Define departments, responsibilities, lines of
communications
 Early, thorough planning can reduce power
B: Financial
Plan Fiscal Structure
 RESEARCH –
 What does it take to open
 What does it take to keep it open
 Identify Expenses (Mission guided)
 Identify Realistic Income Sources
 % Tuition Coverage
 % Donation Dependent
 Fiscal research may restructure original goals
 Long term planning
 Locations
 Investments
 Grade level limitations
 Some Major Expenses
General Operating Expenses
Expenses
-Payroll & Benefits -Building and
-Legal Fees & Maintenance
Taxes -Equipment
-Tuition -Transportation
Assistance
Budgets can be created using percentages per category:
Ex: payroll + fringe benefits = 65% of expenses
Allocated numbers reflect school’s Fiscal AND Academic
planning
Budget Planning
Initial Budget – What you need to open
Create Tuition Fee Schedule
 Other fees – registrations, books,
transportation
Decide on the minimum # of students
needed to open
Or
Ensure reinforced $ support regardless of
student # but the #’s must get better
with time and support must continue
until it does
Donations
 Goal: Fiscal Independence
Donations: A dollar given is a dollar spent
UNLESS investments made
9
8
7
6
Spending

5
4
3
2
1
0
1 2 3 4
Donation
Fiscal Serenity - INVEST
Invest in Academics
1000  Increases student
enrollment
750
 Rippling affect
I ncome

500 Invest in Growing

Markets
250
 Create a 10% rule
0  Create and
0 5 Endowment Fund
Time
Location - General
Defined goals, entity type and budget
constraints, will reflect on the location
of school
 Mission Statement
 Targeting specific area, independent, co-ed,
affiliations…
 District (LEA)
 Various support levels with varying districts
 Incentive and services – transportation, books…
 Fiscal Standing
 Most influential variable in choosing location
IF STEP B WELL-CONSTRUCTED, LESS
HINDERENCE OF FISCAL ISSUES!
Location – Fiscal Related
Building Purchase vs. Lease
 Leasing negotiations, contracts and
terms must be clear
 Purchases depend on funds, building
availability, renovations (meets bldg.
codes), etc

Muslim or Not – Create legally binding

contracts
(Make No Assumptions – things change!)
Location – Identity Related
Masjid Affiliations
 Part of Masjid entity –
 Pros – Legal status differs (ex. already tax-
exempt), same funds targeted for whole
organization
 Cons – Political struggles, focus on high
academic structure may be blurred by other
community/Masjid related factors
 In Masjid building, separate entity-
 Pros – Independence, focus on higher
academic standards, political struggles can be
avoided through clear policies ands terms
 Cons – competing funds and unshared mission
provides supporting constraints

No Affiliations – Independent
Long Term Planning
Provides a recurring goal: a reminder of
where you are and where you want to
be
Focuses on ensuring original mission,
vision and philosophy do not get lost
Gives opportunity for learning and
growth
Shows the community school aims to
build a strong foundation and provide
stability
Fiscal Summary
Step 1
 Donations are necessary - fundraise
 Don’t fall into the trap of making it your
backbone
 Extra effort in early planning and marketing
Step 2
 Increase enrollment every year
 More students = more tuition
 More students = more parental involvement
 Parents are donors too!
Step 3
 Create an endowment fund, make business
purchase, invest 10% funds
C: Academics
Based on the Mission Statement
Comprehend education law & national
standards
 Important especially if planning on competing
for academic excellence
Board of Directors – Founders/New
members
 Interview new members, avoid conflicts of
interest if with other organizations and provide
thorough orientation
Headmaster
 Compare qualifications to your school needs
Academics continued
Seek other educational advise
 Create mentor relationships with
professional educators with
experience
 Discuss possible academic structures
Decide academic focus or
“specialties”
 Create curriculum committee
 (see Dr. Tasneema Qazi paper on
Curriculum Development)
Academic continued
Create the Academic Program
 Assumption: Board/Admin defined
structure
 Religious aspects
 Board Expectations Clear
 Administration Expectations (Contracts)
 Administration Lead Program
Development
 Staff contract developing
 Staff and Parental Handbooks
 Ensure abiding local, state and federal laws
Academics continued
Creating Administrative Office
 Office Management –
 establishment of day to day operations
 Bookkeeping and record keeping of Attendance,
fiscal, student records, and correspondences
 Hiring Teachers
 Muslims vs. Non-Muslims vs. Certified
 Advertise – Mosques, Job Banks, Papers
 Interviews –
 Do not settle
 Background checks
 Provide clear expectations
 Support through training
D: Community Outreach
Continued Community Outreach
throughout Legal, Financial and
Academic stages provide:
 Easier recruitment of students
 Reinforces donors support
 Develops ties for long lasting
relationships
 Can jump start an active PTA
Get Better With Time
Keep records of each year’s
accomplishments
Timelines – Keep you on track
 Be realistic – much depends on time put in per
individual
Create an annual checklist calendar for
recurring projects and deadlines
 Curriculum review, inspections, staff
interviews, governmental forms and
applications…
Final Notes
Logistics and Tawakeel
 A school’s purpose is to serve Allah (SWT). Do
not be pessimistic and afraid to start – better
to have tried and failed (actually you don’t fail
– if you count the blessings) than to not have
struggled at all.
 Do not base the school’s success entirely on
the numbers – plan well, but remember: He is
the best Planner
 ALL committee members must truly believe in
the common mission if they are to work as a
team – not just a group
 There are obstacles undoubtedly – but as long
as the struggle is for solely for Him – Tawakil!