Re: Islamic school education in the US
You know, I was very against sending my kids to an Islamic school -- until I started teaching at a Jewish school.
This Jewish school is pluralistic, meaning they are open to all the different ways of practicing the faith. There are some restrictions (on dress code about skirt length, sleeve length, headcovering, etc), but the administration actually invites discussion and debate on such things.
The curriculum is quite extensive and split in two: Judaics and Secular. There is a separate head of Judaics; because he is very knowledgeable about the religion, but also very welcoming of the students' thoughts and questions, the atmosphere is not oppressive, but inviting.
Eventho there is a split, the faculty is together under the Head of school, so there is coherence.
I see how much more depth of knowledge the students have about their religion and practices. It is a very highly ranked and accomplished school. But there IS a sense of being cloistered at times. Some students are afraid of applying to colleges that do not already have strong Hillel programs (I tell them that I went to a college that did not have a Muslim students organization, and I helped start one -- they could have the opportunity to do the same). But for most of them, having had such a strong Jewish upbringing (often one they complained about while here), makes them nervous about losing it when they step out into the "real world."
In addition, for many of them, I am the only Muslim they know. For many, the only non-Jewish people they know are their teachers (the faculty is about 50-50). Many students students do activities outside of the school community, so they do have some friends that are not Jewish, but they are sometimes shockingly naive and unaware, though they try to open their minds.
Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is that if the school is academically strong, she should go for it, but she will need to make a real sincere effort to expose them to different types of people outside of school, which will mean expanding her own social circle as well.
For me, I still think I wouldn't send my child to an Islamic school, for now. But we'll see. I'm not certain.