Who We Are

A STEAM INTEGRATED ISLAMIC SCHOOL

Our Mission

We foster God-conscious lifelong learners who strive for excellence in character, thought, and action—using an integrated curriculum and a pedagogy that is rooted in the teachings of the Qur’an, the Prophet, and his Household.

Our Vision

We revive an interdisciplinary Islamic scholarly culture that will advance our community.

Why ARK Academy?

ARK Academy draws its inspiration from the symbolic significance of the ark, a vessel of salvation and refuge. As mentioned in a tradition by the Holy Prophet,

Those who board the Purified Household’s ark will attain salvation.

ARK Academy, through its name, embodies a spirit of refuge, enlightenment, and commitment to values against the tide of adversity in the educational landscape. ARK Academy, named after the Ark of Salvation, aspires not only to provide academic excellence but also to cultivate God-conscious lifelong learners. Following the example of the Ahlul Bayt’s ark, the school envisions its students as passengers on a journey of enlightenment, instilling in them a profound sense of morality and consciousness through an integrated approach. The curriculum is designed not only to impart knowledge but to foster individuals who are committed to goodness, morality, and consciousness by encompassing a wide range of subjects, including Quranic studies, Arabic language, Islamic history and civilization, mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts.

Our Core Values

At ARK Academy, everything we do is guided by six core values.

God-Consciousness
Our students have a firm belief in their Creator and center their lives around doing what pleases Him, including love for Prophet Muhammad and his family.

Moral Uprightness
Our students are committed to building a strong character through the four core virtues we emphasize: integrity, humility, compassion, and courage.

Knowledge
Our students build a strong foundation of knowledge across subjects. This will empower them to live fulfilling and purposeful lives as confident and thoughtful Muslims in American society.

Reflection
Our students reflect on the signs of their Creator with awe and wonder. They ask thoughtful questions and seek answers that make sense to their reason. They come up with innovative solutions to problems.

Beautiful Actions
Our students turn their belief into beautiful deeds such as respecting their parents, taking care of those in need, acting with mercy towards others, serving the ummah, leading responsibly, and protecting the environment.

Beautiful Words
Our students express their thoughts powerfully and compellingly.

Educational Philosophy

Our educational philosophy is founded on these core guiding principles.

Knowledge is Foundational and Integrated

We cultivate students’ mastery of foundational knowledge about their Creator, themselves, and their place in the universe and society. We believe all knowledge comes from a single divine source and should not be learned in isolation. We therefore integrate Islamic teachings with all academic subjects, fostering meaningful connections across disciplines and real life, in pursuit of realizing our vision of reviving an interdisciplinary scholarly culture.

Inquiry Fosters Reflection and Lifelong Learning

We emphasize inquiry-based learning as an expression of reflection and a means of developing critical thinking. We aim to nurture inquisitive learners who actively seek knowledge to better themselves and contribute meaningfully to society.

Education Nurtures the Whole Lifelong Learner
We seek to nurture the mind, body, and soul as interconnected aspects of the whole child. Recognizing each student as a trust, we honor their dignity, individuality, and developmental stage while cultivating a lifelong culture of learning shared by students, parents, teachers, and the wider community.

Religious Philosophy

Our religious philosophy is founded on these core guiding principles.

Our understanding of Islam is grounded in the teachings of the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Prophet and his Household

We nurture an understanding of Islam that upholds human dignity, responsibility, and respect for all people regardless of their religious, ethnic, racial, age, or socio-economic differences.

A Moral Foundation is Necessary for Exemplary Scholarship

We cultivate a moral environment that upholds the highest ethical standards, including respect for the whole person, integrity, trustworthiness, and modesty in our social interactions. We encourage both the physical and moral observance of Islamic attire among faculty, staff, and students.

Respect for Scholarly Diversity

We uphold respect for scholarship and guide students toward God-centric worldviews grounded in mainstream Twelver Shi’i Islam. We present diverse perspectives on Islamic theological and legal topics, reflecting the ways our community embodies these views. Where appropriate, we encourage thoughtful reflection so students can form informed opinions.

Human Growth Flourishes in a Culture of Care and Compassion

We empower all members of our community to grow fully in their individual and social roles. We promote care and compassion and discourage judgmental behavior.

Stewardship is a Sacred Trust
We believe we have been entrusted by God with responsibility toward His blessings. Therefore, we seek to cultivate mindfulness in our care for the earth and its resources.