ISNA Education Forum 2010 – Pre-Conference Starting an Islamic High School Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

“We have a successful K – 8 Islamic School. We know we want to have an Islamic High School for our students, and we know that we have to provide it for them. It is a noble and necessary venture, and, insha’Allah, we will make it happen.” Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

" اعقل و تَوَكّل " Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

A Feasibility Study is: “Analysis or research into the practicality of a proposed plan or method, based on factors like marketplace, competition, available technology, manpower, and financial resources.” (Dictionary.com) In our schools, “facilities” might take the place of “available technology.” Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Sub-AreaCurrent StatusNeeded for High school Person / People in Charge of Conducting this Portion of the Study Resources Needed to Meet Requirements / Sources to Target Finding(s) Current School Population # of Students in Gr. 8 # of Students Required to Cover the Financial Requirements Questions to ask: Will all students be in one academic program? Will there be different tracks/levels of coursework? Will transportation be offered to students who live in areas that may be closer to other Islamic K-8 schools in the area? Community (Students NOT currently enrolled in Islamic School K-8 program) # of Students in the Community Currently in Gr. 8 Who Might be Interested in Islamic High School if a Quality High School Presented Itself Other K – 8 Islamic Schools in the Area # of Students in Other Islamic K-8 Schools in the Area Who Might be Interested in Islamic High School if a Quality High School Presented Itself Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Sub-AreaCurrent Status Needed for High school Person / People in Charge of Conducting this Portion of the Study Resources Needed to Meet Requirements / Sources to Target Finding(s) Public Schools # of Students Currently Enrolled in K – 8 Compared to #’s in the Surrounding Public Schools # of Public High Schools that Serve the Community Programs Offered by These Schools Questions to ask: Why/How do they attract our students/families? Private Schools # of Students Currently Enrolled in K – 8 Compared to #’s in the Surrounding Private Schools # of Private High Schools that Serve the Community Programs Offered by These Schools Questions to ask: Why/How do they attract our students/families? What are the Tuition/Fees being paid by the families for these programs? Would they be willing to pay the same tuition/fees for an Islamic School Education? Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Sub-AreaCurrent StatusNeeded for High school Person / People in Charge of Conducting this Portion of the Study Resources Needed to Meet Requirements / Sources to Target Finding(s) Classrooms # of Total Classrooms # of Classrooms Currently Being Used on a Daily Basis Questions to ask: Can any of the current rooms be physically divided? Are there current classrooms that are empty enough periods per day that they can be used for Gr. 9? Lab Facilities # of Lab Facilities (Computer & Science) Questions to ask? How often are the Middle School Lab facilities being used by Middle School? Can they be used for High School when not in use by Middle School? How much equipment (if any) will need to be added to meet requirements for Gr. 9 curriculum? Sports’ Facilities Sports’ Facilities Currently Available for Middle School Questions to Ask: Will sports’ teams be developed for High School? Will teams compete with other schools? Do dimensions of current facilities meet requirements for High School competition? Will fees be charged for participating in such activities? Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Sub-AreaCurrent StatusNeeded for High school Person / People in Charge of Conducting this Portion of the Study Resources Needed to Meet Requirements/ Sources to Target Finding(s) Teachers # of Teachers in Each Grade Level & Subject Area Adequate # of Trained Teachers to Teach High School Courses Questions to Ask: Are there any teachers currently teaching Middle School who may be able to teach High School courses? Are there teachers in the community that can be recruited who are willing to teach on a part-time basis if needed? Are there teachers who can teach more than one subject area? Academic Counselors # of Counselors Available for Academic Counseling Counselor (or other Admin) who is well- versed in High School requirements, College Admission requirements, Scholarship availability & application process, etc. Questions to Ask: If the current counselor does not have this background, can s/he be trained? If not, is it possible to contract with someone outside the school to keep from having to hire a FT person? Administrators # of Administrators Overseeing Middle School Question to Ask: Is current Administrative Staff able to include High School in their duties? Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Sub-AreaCurrent StatusNeeded for High school Person / People in Charge of Conducting this Portion of the Study Resources Needed to Meet Requirements / Sources to Target Finding(s) Tuition Income Tuition Charged for Middle School as Compared to That of Elementary x # of Students at Each Level Amount of Tuition that Will Need to be Charged per Student to Cover Costs of High School Questions to Answer: Will parents be willing to pay more for High School than for Middle School? Will income from Elementary be used to subsidize any shortfall? Donations Amount of Current Donations that Go towards General Operating Expenses Amount of Increase that Will be Needed in Donations in Order to Cover Costs of High School Question to Answer: Is your community prepared to make more donations towards this end? Federal Grants Amount of Federal Grants Currently Received Annually Amount of Federal Grants that Will Come in with Addition of High School State Grants Amount of State Grants Currently Received Annually Amount of State Grants that Will Come in with Addition of High School Private Grants Amount of Private Grants Currently Received Annually Amount of Private Grants that Will Come in with Addition of High School Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Sub-AreaCurrent StatusNeeded for High school Person / People in Charge of Conducting this Portion of the Study Resources Needed to Meet Requirements / Sources to Target Finding(s) Salaries Current Salary Scale for Full-Time / Part- Time Teachers Salary Scale for High School Teachers Training Current Annual Amount Spent on Teacher/Staff Training Amount that will be required for Middle School Teachers and/or Admin to receive additional training that will qualify them to teach High School courses and/or Supervise/Guide High School students Facilities Current Amount designated for Growth & Development of Facilities Amount that will be needed to: 1) Build additional space 2)Modify existing space Books, Equipment & Supplies School’s Current Policies & Status Re: Books, Equipment & Supplies Questions to be Asked: Will textbooks be purchased new or used? What is the requirement for accreditation with regards to age of textbooks? Will all equipment be purchased at one time or will it be purchased on a quarterly or “as-needed” basis? Will parents be expected to pay for the purchase of the textbooks, equipment and supplies, or will they be purchased with start-up money? Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

The findings from the study must then be discussed, abilities determined and decisions made as to:  Whether or not to proceed with the project of adding a High School to the existing K-8 school.  What date to set as the planned opening date of the High School if the decision is made to proceed.  How many grade levels to add at one time.  What type of academic programs to offer.  Tuition and fee scales that will be set.  Faculty/staff that will be hired, if any, and how they will be recruited.  Retaining contractors if building or modifications of existing building are needed.  How the idea will be marketed to the community and students recruited.  Who will in charge of supervising/spearheading the process. Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

ISNA Education Forum 2010 – Pre-Conference Starting an Islamic High School Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Step #1:Setting up the Steering Committee  Composedof: Administration, Board of Directors, Faculty, Clerical/Office Staff, and Motivated Parents  Set up to: Proceed with the investigation into what is required for launching the high school & for following-through until implementation. Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Step #2:Knowing the Requirements  State Department of Education  County School Board  State University System  Accrediting Board Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Step #3:Completing the Feasibility Study The results of the feasibility will guide you through the rest of the steps. Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Step #4: Setting Aside the Minimum Amount of Start-up Funding How much money is required for start-up? This amount must be collected & set aside; it will be used to cover:  Remodeling existing facilities or buying/building new facilities  Furnishing classrooms and labs if necessary  Recruiting faculty and staff  Recruiting students  Publishing materials  Purchasing Textbooks Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Sample Budget is in the packet. Attention must be made to what is needed “In Addition To” the existing program. Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Step #5:Recruiting and Hiring Faculty and Staff The needed faculty and staff will need to be recruited and hired. They will include:  Faculty (Teachers)  Guidance Counselor (PT)  High School Supervisor/Director (PT) Recruiting of Faculty & Staff can be done through several different avenues which may include:  Teacher/Admin recruiting web-sites such as  Islamic and/or professional journals  School’s web-site  Local google/yahoo groups  National Listserves Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

When determining staffing needs, a worksheet can be used that is similar to one included in the packet. Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Step #6:Recruiting and Finalizing Enrollment for Minimum Number of Students Required  How will the recruitment be done?  Who is targeted?  Who is reached?  Who actually enrolls? Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Step #7:Remodeling / Purchasing / Move-In Schedule  This may take more or less time depending on what a school has determined are its needs. If the facilities are sufficient in the K-8 school to accommodate Gr. 9, then the work will be minimal and can probably be completed in a matter of weeks to a month.  If construction of new facilities will be involved, the scope of the construction will determine how early it must be started. Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Step #8:Finalizing Student Handbook It is very important to review the school’s policies and add what pertains specifically to high school. Include: (1) Description of the program & course of study (2) Promotion/retention policies (credit-based?) (3) Upgrading policy if applicable (4) Affiliations with local community colleges or on-line high school programs if applicable (5) Etc. Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Step #9:Finalizing Academic Calendar Keep in mind dates for:  PSAT / PLAN  SAT / ACT / SAT Subject Tests  AP Exams  Ordering / Scheduling dates for each of these exams  Graduation Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

Step #10:Placing Orders for Books, Materials & Supplies  Textbooks can often be purchased at discounted rates from companies such as Follett or Budgetext.  Many supplies and furnishings can often be purchased at local auctions that are held regularly throughout the year. Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010

It CAN be done! Insha’Allah wa bi ‘ithnihi Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh – Principal - American Youth Academy ISNA Education Forum 2010