English / Islamic school????

Which school did u finally enroll yr child in?

How about opening a Weekend Islamic School in your own locality! Its easy and takes very little effort.

We can help you set up one, check out this link

Open Weekend Islamic School in your locality

I am in a similiar situation now to find a reasonable school that "teaches in English and promote Islamic values".

I am researching below schools to see if it fits into my requirements. I dont expect these schools to be perfect but providing they fulfil my daughter's education needs, I shall consider them.

Doha Academy

Al Maha school

Iqra Academy

Gulf English School

I have tow major challenges. One - my daugher is finishing her year 1 in London and I am not having joy with shcool to accept her application so that she could start this year - too late.

Two - I have spoken to few school and it seems like playing musical instruments and singing etc is compulsory part of education and they dont allow me to opt out my daughter. I found it very unusual because back in the UK, school allowed me to opt out and they instead keep the child busy in other activities instead.

Any other Islamic schools that teaches in English - please share your knowledge with me.

I have put together a spreadsheet and captured some useful information about the school. It then plots graph to show term fee and distance from work. Drop me a line on ishtiaqamedAT hotmail dot come if you need a copy.

Ishtiaq Ahmed

Slms umm aiysha,

Did u manage to find a gud school for ur kids?where r they going nw?i too have 2 kids n badly searching for a gud school where both te standards (english+islam)r guds.hope u or someone will help me soon.thks

@ madimad - how did you get on? what school do you children go to and are you pleased with it?My family and I are planning to move to Doha from the UK in the next few months inshallah and want our children, 5, 3 and 2 to be in schools where they have a high level of standard education but most importantly a strong islamic ethos.  

AbuSaif,

Any progress with your plan!?

Thanks,

Unfortunately I dont speak arabic - so the link doesnt help too much...

there is almaha school

and al-arqam academy " i think its for girls only"

anyways check this link

http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:Ejoc6u9JqC0J:www.qatarshares.com/vb/showthread.php%3Ft%3D164717+site:qatarshares.com+%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%A9+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%87%D8%A7+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%A9+%D9%81%D9%8A+%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B1&cd=1&hl=ar&ct=clnk&gl=qa

as someone said earlier, though disappointing but true, U can't find good education with Islamic environment here. When i moved here i also struggled to find the same. yes all school have to offer Arabic but not all school offer Islamic studies, and Arabic offered is very minimal. Even if U do send them to school with good Islamic education with international curriculum, the environment around school is non-Islamic due to 99% teachers/staff being non-Muslim. I send my children to one of the top school here but I had to settle with providing my children with after school Quran classes. It is not easy to find Quran teacher's as most of the Hafids can only come after Isha or only on the weekends. If U have boys its easy to enroll them in local mosque Quran classes, but its very difficult for girls to get into girls Quran school. I am hoping that one of these days we just might have a school here that excel both in Education and Islamic studies/environment.

... seems to be good news for the school though.

Good luck and if you need any help just drop me a pm and I will be happy to assist you.

Thanks Alumnar - Unfortunately your daughter's school is so good that its UTTERLY full - not even accepting places on the waiting list!

I will keep trying though!

Imad.

... and as a suggestion, have a look at the Parkhouse School Website. Excellent school, my daughter goes there and their rating is well above average. They teach arabic reading and writing too.

Just thought it would be worth mentioning.

that would be very difficult to do Alumnar as I am a Whitey myself!

I only mock those I have an affinity with, and never intend too much offense....

... kids of 'whitey' parents go to!!!

Wonderful help Ummjake!

Thanks sooo much.

openings for their kids at even a mediocre school is often quite difficult here in Doha.

Re: the kids attitudes at the schools not reflecting a truly Islamic kind of perspective -- you're going to find that most places, I think. At least with the better schools (that I mentioned above), they have their kids do community service projects and the schools maintain a decent level of behavioral expectations that you won't find elsewhere.

I think finding a qualified Islamic studies tutor is simple enough in Doha. I would use word of mouth or head to the Islamic Center (Fanar) here for recommendations, but I suspect that will be easier than finding a good school (as you've surmised!).

If your kid is 5 that equates to Kindergarten in the US system, Year One in the UK. I stand by the earlier schools I recommended as being the best academic ones that I would try for.

Most probably have waiting lists -- but if they give you the sense that there might be an opening in a few months, etc. I think I would opt to play the waiting game, enroll them somewhere temporarily for now, and then make the jump when you can. When your foot is in the door, you've got a secured place (and an advantage for any future sibling placements usually) unless your kid struggles academically/socially and is asked to leave (which hopefully wouldn't be the case).

And for schools like ASD, getting in at the beginning (when they're 5) is FAR easier than trying to score a spot down the road when all the other kids are simply continuing along, having already secured their space at the school.

By January, you should also probably be filling out applications for NEXT year (2010-2011) at various schools (testing doesn't usually happen until March/April though). Stay in touch with the schools that top your wish list and make personal contacts with the registrars. A lot of these schools ALSO greatly value parents that present a positive image as adults who will be consistently involved in their child's education (attend meetings/concerts, regularly stay in touch with the teachers, etc.). So don't forget that in many cases YOU are auditioning as well!

"If you're looking for sympathy, you'll find it between sh*t and syphilis in the dictionary."

- David Sedaris

oh... and its getting to the point where any school that accepts us is GREAT!.........

Points well made UmmJake.

One of my main concerns is that many of the schools that I know that profess to be Islamic may teach Islamic subjects, and segregate the sexes, but when you see the behavior and attitude of the kids you wonder where it all went wrong..

It seems impossible to find a school that excels in academia, and also is based around an islamic ethos/moral system.

I guess I had better make the right contacts when I get there and set one up!

How easy is it to find private arabic/quran tutors in Doha? We are moving from Dubai, and we havent had much luck here in that respect.

Thanks,

Imad

then you're narrowing the field even more, I'm afraid.

Does it matter to you the percentage of Muslim children that attend a prospective school? Figure out what your priorities and deal-breakers are....

As I said earlier, ALL schools here offer Arabic and Islamiyat. It's required by law. Minus a personal visit that would let you quiz the teaching staff about their personal approach to their job, I am not sure how you would assess whether one school's Islamiyat program was better/worse/more sincere than another school's.

I stand by my earlier advice to find the best overall school for your kids, and then if you're not happy with what you see as the limitations of their Islamiyat program, you can supplement it with additional instruction.

I understand that Islam is a way of life for its followers, but would you seriously rather stick your kid in a crappy school that has a strong Islamic Studies program -- rather than hiring a private teacher to work with them 1-2x week to enrich their religious education while they're getting a great education in the core subjects?

"If you're looking for sympathy, you'll find it between sh*t and syphilis in the dictionary."

- David Sedaris

Fil_qatar,

can I ask how old your kids are? Also, what is the nationality breakdown like? The only language my son speaks at the moment is English, adn while I would like him to speak Arabic, it would be nice to know there are other native English speaking kids there too?

Thanks,

for my experience nothing wrong with the Doha academy, you cant find a perfect school here in doha, but Doha academy is ok..my kids is in that school, so far i dont see any problem, good teacher, good staff..very helpful principal, salwa branch is good..

Welcome to Qatar in advance.

As for Al Jazeera Academy, I don't recommend it at all. The Admin of the school has changed too many times to remember, and their staff/faculty have issues.

As for Islamic teachings, it is good to enroll your children in such schools and not just have a tutor come home for them, as it is a lifestyle and not just a religion.

Good luck.

Sallam

I really feel happy to know all about the same.

my contact number is 055-8679174 if possible plz call me or give me ur contact info as i have some further query.

I have faced so many problems when i came here in dubai for schooling as the management ask certificate from ministry of education, further Tc with ministry attested.

I dont know if all these regulation are required in qatar also?

Well had a first hand experience with DA and pulled out my kids a year back and quiet a lot of friends did the same....

Nothing islamic actually, while they are struggling on the discipline aspect, no standard at all of the teachers (perhaps limited experience or under qualified)

poor english speaking enviorment...will most of the time have space for more kids

The only thing which improved prior to i pulled out was cost increase every year.

My take on this; DON'T think of DA please

Foot NOTE: Actually no good english school with islamic education... am planning to setup a blog for the like minded people on this subject to PERHAPS create one from the scratch.....please feel free to mail me your feedback on this subject....THNX

Doha Academy is not a good choice I believe! I was a trecher there last year and I had my 2 kids there too....

I enrolloed them this year in HUBS(The building sucks but they are in the process of moving to a new one). great teachers (so far), canadian system, Islamic atmosphere (the principle in an american muslim).

P.M. me if you need further information...

Good luck and keep your expectations very low in Qatar...

TNG Qatar is a new school, with most modern facilities.

Check this out:

http://www.tngqatar.com

Salaams Aisha - sounds like we are in the same boat! We are also in Dubai (our son is at DESS) and we are leaving for Doha in Jan because of better job opportunities for me!

My wife spoke to Doha Academy on the phone, and they seemed helpful and friendly and have said that they can fit Adam into the class in Jan. And the website looks good with a british curriculum with an emphasis also on Islam and Arabic - recitation etc included.

Have just heard rumours on here that dont sound too good - but that may be just from "whiteys" (got to love a bit of stereo-typing) that arent interested in having their kids learn about Islam. Its hard to say...

My wife is flying over to Doha next week to look at a few schools, so will let you know.

So where in Dubai are you currently?

I m in dubai right now & in january i have to come qatar as my husband got a good oportunity there in doha.

My baby is in grade 2 , 7 years old & she is studying here in school of knowledge (o-level) system.

Now i have to find again a good islamic school to build her not only in education but all islamic moral.

I really feel happy to see ur reply.

Doha Academy looks good on the website - but then most peoples comments on here seem to paint a different picture...

Now, in general I would prefer to listen to peoples real experience rather than advertising blurb on a company's (or school's) website. But then, on any virtual social network, opinions can be swayed very easily by the vocal minority with strong views and different moral/social standpoints often without first hand experience of the reality. Very east to state hearsay and rumour as fact..

Does anyone here have good experience of Doha academy?

I think you can have a look at Doha Academy,a good school for primary studies,it is managed by a british muslim lady, with special emphasis on Islamic values.

DON'T go to Al Jazeera!

The school is crap. I had to pull out both of my children. Students leave campus at will and go hang out at the Abu Hamour Petrol Station or the nearby Meera Store...Every year there is a new management team, including this year...the Western teachers, I agree with Blue-Bell and would go further to say their contempt for Islamic culture can be felt just below the surface.

Aisha - you may have an easier time of it than me! I assume that most Pakistani schools will have a good foundation in Islamic studies and attitude?...

Are you in Qatar already?

Salam to every one.

I have the same query & want to know some information as i m from pakistan & looking for a good school with islamic culture.

I hope u wont mind my interup in ur discussion.

They routinely take the behavior problem kids and those who can't hack the academics at the other, better schools. They do segregate by gender so THAT appeals to many locals, but academically, they're sub-par.

Best academic schools in Doha are ASD, Qatar Academy, Compass, Doha College/DESS. Sherbourne, ISL and some others are too new to evaluate really.

All schools here offer Arabic and Islamiyat classes -- it's requried by law. If you felt their classes weren't great, you could supplement on your own/after hours with additional private instruction. But my advice would be to enroll your kids in the BEST school around overall, and then to enrich it with additional Islamic studies classes if you felt they needed it.

"If you're looking for sympathy, you'll find it between sh*t and syphilis in the dictionary."

- David Sedaris

So where are your kids now then?? Have you found somewhere better?

This is an international school pertaining to have an underlying islamic belief. however i pulled my son from there as there is not much Islamic ethos at all.

Majority of staff are of western origin who do not impart islamic practice or understanding at all.

The city could do with a good islamic school for those parents who wish their children to grow and develop both educationally and spiritually.

useful DaRuDe.... really...

Have looked through here and there are some useful comments, but am looking for some further details (look at my original question) and some real-time advice as the situation seems to be changing on a nearly daily basis.

Are there any other british (etc) muslims (or not) with good or bad experiences?

If I went purely by the existing threads I would assume that we would not get a place anywhere, and give up. However, thats not in my nature, hence the question.

and read them