Assalamu Alaykum.
Dear Community Members,
As we get closer to making our community’s shared dream a reality, we would like to share an update on the progress we are making toward opening the doors of our new full-time Islamic school. We also invite you to join us for the ARK Academy fundraising dinner on Saturday, November 21, 2026, where we will share more about our progress and come together to help bring our school to life.
A Journey Built by Our Community
In September 2023, through the generosity and collective efforts of our community, we purchased a building in Irvine to serve as the future home of ARK Academy. Contributions came from supporters in Irvine, across the United States, and around the world.
Following a lengthy Conditional Use Permit process, we received city approval in October 2025. Meanwhile, a dedicated architecture, engineering, and construction team from our own community developed the plans for our school, which received city approval earlier this year. Preparations for construction also began, including the demolition work.
Bringing Our Vision to Life
With your support, construction is now underway, with completion scheduled for August 2027. Our goal is to welcome students and staff for the Fall 2027 school year. The project includes a new elevator, thoughtfully designed classrooms, a dedicated prayer room, a STEAM lab, and a playground designed with sound-mitigation features to help reduce noise from airplanes.
At the same time, we have been developing our own integrated Islamic studies curriculum. Through this effort, we hope to contribute to the advancement of Shi‘i Islamic education and revive an interdisciplinary Islamic scholarly tradition. Our comprehensive curriculum is rooted in the Qur’an, the teachings of the Prophet (sws), and his Household (as). We are currently piloting it through our
Homeschool Enrichment Program, which provides an opportunity for families to participate in and benefit from the ARK educational vision.
November Fundraising Dinner
As we enter this important phase of construction, we invite you to join us for our fundraising dinner on Saturday, November 21, 2026 from 6 pm, to celebrate the progress and help bring our classrooms and learning spaces to life.
To RSVP, please email info@arkacademyoc.org.
We also encourage you to share ARK’s vision with your friends, family, and wider networks, and introduce us to individuals or organizations who may be interested in contributing to the project.
Looking ahead, I am excited about beginning enrollment and our teacher recruitment process for the full-time school in February 2027. We look forward to welcoming our first students and bringing together a team of dedicated, high-quality educators who share our vision.
We have come this far because of the generosity and commitment of our community. Together, we are laying the foundation for an educational legacy for our children and future generations.
With gratitude,
Jolanda Hendriks
Principal
