If you are a Muslim parent in Massachusetts weighing whether an Islamic school is right for your child, you have more choices than many families realize. Full-time Islamic schools operate from Methuen to Mansfield, each pairing the state's academic standards with Quran, Arabic and Islamic studies. Many families start looking in the fall, well ahead of the next school year, so this is a good time to book a few tours.
Al-Hamra Academy, Shrewsbury
Al-Hamra Academy, at 433 to 435 South Street in Shrewsbury, describes itself as New England's first full-time accredited Islamic day school and has been teaching since 1994. It is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council of Islamic Schools in North America, and it offers daycare and early childhood programs along with elementary and middle school. The school leans into science and technology and fields robotics teams. Reach the office at (508) 845-7000 or Info@AlHamraAcademy.org.
Alhuda Academy, Worcester
Alhuda Academy is a pre-kindergarten through eighth grade Islamic school in Worcester that gives equal weight to secular and Islamic studies, including Quran and Arabic. The school reports a 10 to 1 student-teacher ratio. Call (508) 854-4700 or email office@alhudaacademy.org to book a tour.
Al-Noor Academy, Sharon and Mansfield
Al-Noor Academy, whose admissions page still refers to it as the Islamic Academy of New England, is listed by the Islamic Center of New England as its full-time school, runs two campuses. The younger grades, starting with preschool, meet at 84 to 86 Chase Drive in Sharon, (781) 784-0400. Grades 6 through 12 meet at 20 Church Street in Mansfield, (508) 261-7077, making it one of the few Islamic schools in the state that goes all the way through high school. It is an accredited member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
The Islamic Academy for Peace, Methuen
For families in the Merrimack Valley, The Islamic Academy for Peace sits at 125 Oakland Avenue in Methuen. It opened in 2001 with 26 students in pre-K through second grade and added a grade each year until it reached eighth grade in 2007. Federal private school data for 2023 to 2024 lists 206 students and a student-teacher ratio of about 8 to 1. Call (978) 975-7335 or email principal@tiapeace.org.
Malik Academy, Cambridge and Roxbury
Malik Academy offers early childhood education for children from 15 months to 5 years old, a main school for kindergarten through fourth grade, and an after-school program. It has locations at 808 Memorial Drive in Cambridge and 58 Circuit Street in Roxbury. Muslim Community Support Services offers need-based tuition grants of up to $500 per student for eligible Malik Academy families in grade 1 and up. Call 617-868-2322.
Questions to ask on a tour
Ask about accreditation, class sizes, tuition and financial aid, and whether the school offers transportation. Ask, too, about support for students with learning differences. Some schools say plainly that they are not equipped to provide special education, so it is better to find out early.
Not ready for full-time school?
Weekend schools are another way to build Quran and Arabic skills. The Islamic Center of New England runs Saturday and Sunday schools in both Quincy and Sharon, and many masjids across the state, from Worcester to Lowell to West Springfield, offer weekend classes. Check with your local masjid to see what is available near you.
Tuition, grade levels and programs can change from year to year, so confirm the details directly with each school before you apply.