Al Furqan Academy

BACKGROUND
Al-Furqan Academy was established in August of 1997 by some of the same founding members of ICNEF (Islamic Center of Northeast Florida). They saw the immense need for an Islamic Elementary School in the city of Jacksonville, and they acted upon it. First, written plans were formulated, classrooms were established within the Masjid, staff was recruited and numerous other plans and procedures developed. The result is that today, we are a school of approximately 60 students ranging in ages from 3 years up to the fifth grade. We have a new playground built according to federal safety guidelines as well as a library with three new, networked computers for our student’s use. It is indeed a blessing for any community to have within its midst a school consisting of a diverse population of children, where a multitude of ethnic backgrounds, religions, as well as cultural differences coexist and flourish together.

PHILOSOPHY & PURPOSE
The purpose and philosophy of Al-Furqan Academy is to please Allah (The Almighty) and to approach all issues with the guidance of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). In addition, it is the vision of the Islamic Center of Northeast Florida and Al-Furqan Academy to enhance the lives of all children educationally, spiritually, and emotionally. Insha’Allah (God willing), Al-Furqan Academy will:

Provide an Islamic environment that is conducive to learning for all students in an academically challenging program.

Provide a comprehensive program which benefits our students educational, physical, social, cognitive, and emotional needs, within the parameters of Islamic guidance enabling students to seek knowledge and success in this life and the Hereafter.

Provide a staff that is qualified, competent, and flexible enough to meet the needs of all students and who continuously upgrade their skills by attending various professional development workshops and courses.

To prepare all students with understanding and practicing the ideals of Islam so that they may become active, articulate, and productive members of the world community.

OVERVIEW Jacksonville, Florida, the largest metropolitan area in Northern Florida is home to 1 million residents. Jacksonville boasts a very diversified and growing economy and has the potential to be one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. Muslims have, with help from Allah (SWT), established a vibrant community in Jacksonville. The community is centered around - the Islamic Center of North East Florida (ICNEF) located on St. John’s Bluff Road only 2 miles north of the University of North Florida, the largest university in the city. ICNEF is an Islamic organization. Its membership is a diverse group spanning several ethnicities and nationalities. The diversity of ICNEF is a source of its strength. ICNEF today is a vibrant organization and is engaged in activities ranging from education to media relations. In keeping with the natural progression of community development ICNEF started Al-Furqan Academy (AFA) – a full-time Islamic school that is accredited by the Florida Kindergarten Council. The school in addition to a comprehensive curriculum in Arabic and Islamic studies provides a curriculum approved by the State of Florida. Al-Furqan Academy thus joins a growing list of Islamic schools in North America that are an oasis for parents seeking to raise a new generation of Muslims. AFA has an eleven member Board entrusted with the responsibility to nurture and further develop AFA. The AFA Board along with the dedicated staff of AFA intends, by the Help and Grace of Allah (SWT), to extend AFA from its current offering of upto grade seven to accommodate classes all way up to high school, which will be a housed in a fully functional school building. AFA is seeking Allah’s (SWT) help and the support of concerned individuals to help raise funds needed to develop this important project - a project that is greatly needed for the Muslim children of Jacksonville. As believers, each one of us is called upon to support the cause of Allah. “O believers, be supporters of Allah’s (cause)” (61:14). There can be no greater gift you can give to a Muslim child than the gift of education.

ISLAMIC SCHOOLS AND AL-FURQAN ACADEMY Islamic schools provide an environment that shields the students from the vices of the society while imparting them the requisite knowledge to be successful in today’s society. AFA uses the State of Florida’s Sunshine Standards but also imparts Islamic values and aims to develop Muslim character in its students. Thus, AFA, InshaAllah, will prepare the next generation of leaders capable of leading humanity within the moral and ethical boundaries of the Islamic paradigm. That is why we need Islamic school and why Islamic school needs you! Here are some of the vital statistics of Al-Furqan Academy as of 2007:

AFA established in 1997.

Number of grades being offered – Pre K to Grade 5.

Number of students enrolled – 72.

Tuition: $3750.00 for the 1st student and discount for the 2nd and 3rd student.
Can be paid monthly, quarterly or yearly.

Total number of teachers – 10.

Teachers are engaged in ongoing professional development.

Centralized library with over 750 titles available.

Computers in every classroom wired to the internet

Library is also multimedia equipped.

Current SAT scores are above state medians.