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Al-Arqam Islamic School & College Preparatory

United States, Sacramento

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees $8,600
Ages 3 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 450
Type Co-educational
Opened 1998
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP)
Taught languages Arabic
Typical class size 20
Strengths STEM, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Al-Arqam Islamic School & College Preparatory is a co-educational day school in Sacramento serving students aged 3 to 18. The school offers an American curriculum, the IB Diploma Programme for grades 11-12, and Advanced Placement courses, with 17 IB/AP/Honors courses available. Islamic Education is integrated across the curriculum, guided by learning goals that focus on living Islam, becoming lifelong learners, effective communication in English and Arabic, world citizenship, and personal development. Arabic language is taught with a progression from Elementary (TK-5) through Middle School (6-8) to High School (AP) and the IB Diploma Programme (11-12). Opened in 1998, the school now serves about 450 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Al-Arqam is an IB World School authorized to offer the Diploma Programme since 2009, and is accredited by WASC through 2031. Facilities include a library with more than 7,000 books, computer and science labs, and a second-floor expansion with an auditorium. There are 22 clubs and activities, including a Student Council and programs such as DECA and ANHS.

6990 65th Street, Sacramento, CA 95823

The Essentials

Al-Arqam Islamic School & College Preparatory has 450 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English.

Location

6990 65th St., Sacramento, CA 95823, United States. PK-12 campus with Elementary (TK-5), Middle (6-8), and High (9-12) divisions. Located in the Sacramento area on 65th Street, accessible via local roads.

Stages

PK-12 (Elementary TK-5, Middle 6-8, High 9-12)

Type

Co-educational day school

Religious affiliation

Islamic

School day structure

Bell schedules exist for Elementary, Middle, and High levels. On Fridays, the entire PK-12 student body has a shortened day from 7:45 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement

Uniforms are required for all students. Elementary uniforms include light blue shirts with navy pants for boys and a white shirt with a navy jumper for girls, with a navy hijab required from grade 3; a logo sweater is recommended. Uniforms and related items can be purchased from CustomPrint Bros or Lands' End, and abayas and hijabs are available from East Essence. High school uniforms require gray polo shirts with the ACP logo and black pants for boys, and a navy abaya with the ACP logo and a maroon hijab for girls; uniforms may be purchased from CustomPrint Bros, Lands' End, and East Essence.

Food Options

Hot lunch program is available; a lunch menu is provided.

House System

The House System comprises four houses: Andalusia, Medina, Samarkand, and Jerusalem; established by the Class of 2010 to encourage friendly competition and activity. Female Houses: Andalusia and Medina; Male Houses: Samarkand and Jerusalem.

Governance and Ownership

The school is governed by a board alongside administration.
Fees

Annual tuition at Al-Arqam Islamic School & College Preparatory ranges from USD 8,600 for 2026/27.

Application & Registration Fees

- New student registration / exam fee (paid at time of registration): USD 250 (non-refundable).
- Returning student registration fee (per child): USD 100.
- Late registration fee: USD 50.

Annual Tuition (by household position / grade)

- Preschool annual tuition (Pre-K; sibling discount does not apply): USD 8,600.
- Annual tuition (sibling scale, per child):
- First child enrolled: USD 7,900.
- Second child enrolled: USD 6,900.
- Third child enrolled: USD 5,900.
- Fourth child or more enrolled: USD 4,900.

Equivalent payment examples (calculated for convenience)

- The school posts annual tuition amounts and bills on a monthly schedule for convenience; the following are simple calculations (annual divided by N) to show common breakdowns and are provided as examples only:
- Monthly (annual ÷ 12):
- Preschool: USD 716.67 per month (USD 8,600 ÷ 12).
- First child: USD 658.33 per month (USD 7,900 ÷ 12).
- Second child: USD 575.00 per month (USD 6,900 ÷ 12).
- Third child: USD 491.67 per month (USD 5,900 ÷ 12).
- Fourth+ child: USD 408.33 per month (USD 4,900 ÷ 12).
- Per semester (annual ÷ 2) and per trimester/term (annual ÷ 3) examples are similarly obtainable by dividing the published annual tuition by 2 or 3. These calculated examples reflect straightforward arithmetic from the published annual tuition figures.

Books, Materials & Other School Charges

- Books & materials estimates by grade (approximate ranges):
- PreK - TK: USD 300–615.
- Elementary (KG–5): approximately USD 545–580.
- Middle (6–8): approximately USD 560–705.
- High (9–12): approximately USD 745–990.
- Course-specific materials fees (for art, science, etc.) may apply for certain grades or courses.
- Activity and field-trip fees may be assessed for special programs or trips.
- Hot lunch is offered by the PTO with separate payment arrangements; parents receive PTO communications about menus and payment procedures.
- Volunteer requirement: each family is asked to contribute 20 volunteer hours during the school year or pay a USD 250 fee in lieu of hours per the school's financial agreement.
- Late pick-up fee: a late pickup charge applies; the policy states a fee of USD 1.00 per minute (per child) after the designated pickup time (example: 3:33 PM = USD 3.00).

Uniforms and Uniform Costs

- Uniform items and supplier guidance are specified by grade band (Elementary TK–5, Middle 6–8, High 9–12). Required items include school-logo polo shirts, jumpers/abayas for girls as specified, and school sweaters/jackets; hijab colors and abaya requirements vary by grade band. Vendors listed for logo and uniform ordering include CustomPrint Bros, Land's End (school code provided), and East Essence for abayas; the school sells logo patches at the main office. Specific retail item prices are set by the vendors.

Billing Schedule & Payment Terms

- Enrollment is confirmed only after all required registration and applicable fees have been paid. Tuition is billed monthly for convenience; families are responsible for the full annual tuition obligation regardless of the monthly payment schedule or school breaks. Timely payment is required; delinquent accounts can lead to withholding of records, denial of enrollment, or discontinuation of enrollment.

Refunds & Non‑Refundable Charges

- Registration/exam fees are non-refundable (the new-student registration/exam fee is USD 250 and is explicitly non-refundable). Families remain contractually responsible for the full annual tuition obligation regardless of payment schedule or school breaks. The school enforces consequences for unpaid balances per its financial policies.

Boarding

- No boarding program or boarding fees are listed for the school; the school operates as a Pre‑K through Grade 12 day program.

Fee Payment Options & Contact for Payments

- Specific accepted payment methods (credit card, bank transfer, check, etc.) are handled by the school's finance office. For billing, payment arrangements, or to confirm accepted payment methods, contact the finance office at finance@alarqamislamicschool.org or the main school phone. Enrollment and fee matters are administered through the school's finance office.

Other practical notes for parents

- Tuition does not include books, uniforms, course-specific materials, activity/field-trip fees, or PTO hot-lunch charges; budget for these additional costs.
- For detailed billing instructions, account setup, or payment schedules, contact the school's finance office directly using the finance email or the main office phone number provided by the school.
Academics

Al-Arqam Islamic School & College Preparatory teaches American Curriculum, IB (DP), Advanced Placement (AP) for students aged 3 to 18.

Curriculum

Al-Arqam serves students from Pre-K through 12th grade. Islamic Education is integrated across the curriculum, guided by Student Learning Goals that focus on living Islam, becoming lifelong learners, effective communication in English and Arabic, world citizenship, and personal development. Arabic Language is taught with a progression from Elementary (TK-5) through Middle School (6-8) to High School (AP) (9-10) and the IB Diploma Programme (11-12). The curriculum includes AP and IB courses and a college-preparatory pathway oriented toward university admission, with 17 IB/AP/Honors Courses available.

Student Teacher Ratio

20:1 Student Teacher Ratio.

Exam Results

The school reports a 100% graduation rate.

Higher Education Progression

UC Application is available for prospective students. UC a-g Courses are provided, covering English, World History, Geometry, Biology, Arabic, Art and other areas to meet UC admission requirements. FAFSA resources are available, and there is a Career Fair as part of College and Career planning.

Gifted and Talented

The school offers 17 IB/AP/Honors Courses for advanced students.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Tarbiya Programme intentionally supports students' character development, social-emotional learning (SEL), and ethical growth. It is rooted in Islamic teachings and aligned with the International Baccalaureate framework. The school's Schoolwide Learner Outcomes (SLOs) emphasize Observing and Living Islam, and Tarbiya strengthens IB Learner Profile attributes such as care, reflection, connection, ethical action, and lifelong learning. The Tarbiya Coordinators lead regular weekly assemblies and collaborate with Qur'an and Islamic Studies to integrate character education, spiritual development, and SEL into students' academic and social experiences, supporting their overall well-being.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Special Education Testing and Accessibility is addressed in the Learning Diversity, Access, and Inclusion Policy. The policy describes differentiating instruction, providing appropriate access arrangements, and testing accommodations to remove barriers to learning and participation.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

English is the main language of instruction and school communication; English and Arabic are the two main languages of the school. Arabic is central to the Islamic core and is supported as part of the IB Diploma Programme. The school provides mother tongue support to assist learning, and English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) are used to assess English learners; language policy supports multilingual development and access arrangements as needed.

Mental Wellbeing

The Tarbiya Programme supports social-emotional learning (SEL) and ethical growth, reinforcing a culture of care and resilience. It includes morning assemblies and weekly Tarbiya activities aligned with the Schoolwide Learner Outcomes and the IB Learner Profile, and it integrates character education, spiritual development, and SEL into daily learning to support student well-being.

Safeguarding

The Tarbiya Programme reinforces a safe, respectful school climate with clearly defined behavior expectations (e.g., hallway norms) and measures such as a schoolwide cell phone ban to promote a safe, focused learning environment and responsible digital habits.
Parent Experience

History

Al-Arqam Islamic School opened in 1998 with eight students and three teachers, initially located at the Muslim Mosque Association in Sacramento and occupying four classrooms for Kindergarten through 3rd grade. The first floor included 12 classrooms, a computer lab, a science lab, a cafeteria, a gym, a soccer field and playground, and a library with more than 7,000 books. In 2016, a second floor was added with 20 more classrooms, a library, an auditorium, and additional administrative offices. The school currently serves over 450 students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. The vision of Islamic education and academic excellence has remained constant, and staff and parents continue to work together to integrate the Islamic faith into daily life and to support students to achieve their fullest potential academically, intellectually and spiritually.

Community

AISCP fosters a collaborative Islamic learning community where staff and parents work together to integrate the Islamic faith into daily life and support students' intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth. The school provides student life structures such as Houses, Clubs, Student Council, and College and Career programs. There are Monthly Events and a calendar of Upcoming Events and News & Announcements that engage families in school life.
Facilities

Academic Facilities

Al-Arqam is an IB World School authorized to offer the Diploma Programme in grades 11-12. It has been an IB World School since 2009 and uses the Diploma Programme to develop inquiring, knowledgeable, and caring young adults who seek to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredits the school, with accreditation active through 2031. The school offers 17 IB/AP/Honors Courses.

Extra Curricular Facilities

The school offers 22 clubs/activities. The Al-Arqam Student Council includes grades six through twelve and elementary, serving as a bridge between students and administration. In addition, the Torch Café student store was launched by the Student Council in the second half of semester two.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Middle and high school students must join a club. Club meetings occur on Fridays during the Club Half Hour; some clubs meet at lunch, afterschool, or on weekends. Academic & Competitive Clubs include DECA, Mock Trial, MSTEM, STEAM, Brick X Brick, and Chess Club. Each aligns with CAS strands Creatvity, Activity, and Service.

Arts & Creative

Arts, Media & Creativity clubs include Origami Club, Broadcasting Club, and Spirit Club. Origami Club emphasizes creativity and concentration. Broadcasting Club produces school media and develops storytelling and production skills.

Cultural & Language

Arabic National Honor Society (ANHS) celebrates achievement in Arabic language learning and promotes cultural appreciation. The club aligns with CAS strands Creativity and Service. ANHS supports language learning and cultural awareness.

Social & Hobbies

Key Club provides Kiwanis-affiliated service opportunities. Red Cross Club partners with the American Red Cross for humanitarian aid. TORCH Newsletter Club publishes student-led articles; Yearbook Club designs the annual yearbook.

Community & Service

National Honor Society (NHS) recognizes scholarship, leadership, and character through service. Junior National Honor Society (JNHS) honors middle school students for academics and community involvement. Student Council represents student voices and organizes school events.

Leadership & Professional

NHS, JNHS, and ANHS are leadership and honor societies. Student Council provides leadership opportunities and student representation. These programs foster responsibility and service.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

Health, Wellness & Character Development includes HOSA, Health & Fitness Club, Mental Health Awareness Club, Glow & Grow, and Men of Honor. HOSA prepares students for healthcare careers through leadership and competitions. Health & Fitness Club promotes healthy habits. Glow & Grow focuses on women's empowerment and wellness; Men of Honor fosters discipline.
Languages

Language Provision

The Arabic language is one of the main pillars of Al-Arqam School and is taught at all levels from elementary through high school. In elementary and middle school, the curriculum follows ACTFL standards and AISCP's scope and sequences; in high school, Arabic is taught as a High Level IB Diploma subject. Arabic teachers participate in ongoing training to enhance their language instruction. The school emphasizes English proficiency as part of its Student Learning Goals, with students read, write, and speak sophisticated English, and communicate in Arabic, the language of the Qur'an.
Reputation

Accreditations

The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and authorized by the International Baccalaureate (IB). The IB Diploma Programme is used in grades 11–12. The school has been IB authorized since 2009 and is WASC-accredited through 2031.
Admissions

Admissions

1. Admissions for 2026-2027 are closed. The school accepts students from Kindergarten through High School and is proud of its multicultural learning community. Check back in late January 2027 to apply for the 2027-2028 school year. 2. The application process begins by filling out the interest form. After submitting, families upload all required documents to the Google Application Form, including transcripts and report cards from the last two years; standardized test results (examples include CAASPP, ELPAC, MAP, Terra Nova, etc. — check with the school office to know which); birth certificate; immunization records; and two official recommendation letters (required for applications for grades 6–10). 3. Age Requirements for Pre-K through KG are listed as follows. KG must be 5 by September 1; TK must be 4 by September 1 and potty trained before admission; Pre-K must be 3 by September 1 and potty trained before admission. These criteria determine eligibility for entry into the respective programs. The September 1 date refers to the admission year. 4. Special considerations: 12th graders are accepted but may not be eligible for the IB Diploma program, because the program requires two years of IB-related coursework. 11th graders must have Arabic coursework in their previous transcripts and will be evaluated by the school for eligibility for the two-year IB Diploma program. The admissions review considers these IB-related factors when evaluating applicants. 5. Grade-specific documents: A printable Admissions Checklist lists the documents required per grade for admission testing. The checklist items typically include birth certificate; immunization record; Authorization for Exchange of Information; most recent report card and one year prior; most recent standardized test results (if available); and two letters of recommendation from the current school (as applicable, e.g., for grades 6–10).
School Events
The school has not added events