Anyone here that can give me some information about the Chicago Area islamic schools? Any parents here have a first hand experience with CPSA or islamic foundation?
Re: Chicago area islamic schools
I actually went to CPSA and graduated from there. But it was different back then plus the administration has changed so many times since so I cannot say how it is now. Islamic Foundation is a good option. My nieces have both gone to Al Huda and my sisters have always been very pleased with the kids’ progress.
Chicago area islamic schools
I didn’t know there were proper Islamic schools here. Most of my family went to public schools and then Sunday school for Islamic education. @Reha how did you like the school? Did they incorporate religion and science? Were all the facilities available to challenge students like labs etc? Did you feel competitive when applying for college? Was it still coed? What about sports and gym activities? Did you feel left out at times?
I am just curious because I never knew such school existed
Re: Chicago area islamic schools
I went to CPSA when the program was still very new and kinks were being worked out. Academically, the education is sound. But other parts of the experience were…good and bad. No regrets though.
We didn’t have coed classes.
We did not have proper physical education - now its probably different
We didn’t have a very sophisticated lab.
What we did have:
A very close network of teachers and students
Small class sizes
Lifelong connections - hard to explain this but I’ve barely lost touch with people for some odd reason and it comes in handy later on in life
Re: Chicago area islamic schools
There are quite a few Islamic schools in the country, not all are high schools though. People go to high school after 8th grade. Some are quite good academically esp due to small class sizes. They do have a gym at the Islamic School in my city, however, it does not have a very school like feel to it as its built in the masjid premises.
Re: Chicago area islamic schools
You have to really focus on what is important to you and go with that.
For my parents, they were fearful of the mahol in US and decided to go with Islamic schools.
We didn’t have the coed atmosphere…so no proms, bashes, parties, etc.
We didn’t have sophisticated labs or state of the art technology at that time.
We did have student government and also competed in national competitions. We did have many of our graduates attend prestigious schools like Harvard, Yale, etc. The funny thing I remember is that CPSA actually got accredited while I was a student there…during my sophomore year. LOL.
So academically, they were not behind. They were behind when it came to the way things look to people when they walk into a school I guess.
My suggestion is to go to the schools, speak to parents of the students and take it from there.
Re: Chicago area islamic schools
Thanks @Reha.
Re: Chicago area islamic schools
A friend has her kids going to IFS. She changed from CPSA to IFS, she likes IFS better.
There is MCC in Morton Grove as well I think and another one in Bridgeview (Al -Aqsa probably). I have met someone from MCC and she was very bright, did great academically, was involved in many extra-curricular activities as well.
Another one is Kindi Academy in Lisle. It has Montessori but is only up to middle school. May be they will expand to high school later.
As Reha mentioned, the best thing would be to go visit the school and see a class in progress.
Re: Chicago area islamic schools
Thanks @sg11. Great info. Do you know why your friend moved her kids from CPSA to IFS?
Re: Chicago area islamic schools
She was not happy with CPSA. If I see her again, I ll ask more specifics as to what she did not like.