AMERICAN MUSLIM
PREPRATORY ACADEMY
American Muslim Preparatory Academy
Posted March 2, 2015 8:17 pm
By Garrin Marchetti
NORTH ANDOVER — A private high school intended for Muslim-American students may be established in town after a proposed curriculum created by a group pursuing the project was presented to the School Committee at its Feb. 26 meeting.
The school, called the American Muslim Preparatory Academy, had initially approached the School Committee in the fall, according to committee chairman Andrew McDevitt, but had been working with Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kevin Hutchinson to establish a clear curriculum. Hutchinson presented the revised syllabus on the school's behalf last week.
Both McDevitt and committee member Stanley Limpert, as well as Hutchinson, said Friday state law requires a school committee to approve any curriculum of any potential school in their town, public or private, before it can begin operations.
"We have to make sure the instructional programs are equal to the type of education they would receive in our public schools," Hutchinson said via telephone Friday. "My recommendation to the committee was to approve (this curriculum) because it does equal our programs."
McDevitt said the committee would review the curriculum and vote at its next meeting, scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m.
"We've invited the group to attend the next meeting," McDevitt said Friday. "As a formality, we'd like share our thoughts with them in person."
Hutchinson said he had previously met with the group only once, and they were "very enthusiastic" about the possibility of having their school in North Andover.
"I was pretty excited myself," Hutchinson said. "The way they approached our meeting and seeing the type of school they wanted, it's very clear they have a clear focus as far as their mission is concerned."
The mission and curriculum of the American Muslim Preparatory Academy are available in an online packet from the meeting, which can be found on the School Committee's website. According to the document, the mission of the school is to "cultivate a distinct American Muslim identity" in their students that would exemplify "democratic ideals through an Islamic framework."
"As the Muslim community of the Boston surrounding area grows, so does the need for educational institutions that support high school requirements," the document reads. "Our program will have a strong emphasis on academic excellence and leadership in an Islamic environment."
According to the document, goals for the school include offering Advanced Placement (AP) classes beginning in the 10th grade, the option of dual enrollment for 11th and 12th grade students with Northern Essex Community College and becoming a fully accredited high school after one year of operation.
Students would need 135 credits in order to graduate, according the proposed curriculum. The breakdown of credits goes as follows: 20 each in English, math and religious studies, 15 in science, social studies and computer technology and 10 in foreign language, physical education and electives.
Students would have several options when it comes to their core classes, such as English and math. During their junior year, students could choose to take American or world literature, as well as geometry or trigonometry. In terms of a foreign language, students would take Spanish their first two years and Quranic Arabic in the final two years.
There are four physical education options, one for each year, including the popular "Zumba" workout. Electives include painting, graphic design and play writing.
The motto of the school, according to the document, is "Proud to be American, honored to be Muslim, learning to be of service."
If the group receives approval from the School Committee and secures a location, the American Muslim Preparatory Academy would become the third private school in North Andover, joining St. Michael's School and the Brooks School. A Catholic grammar school for students ages 3 to 14, St. Michael's was established 1950, while Brooks, a boarding high school, was founded in 1926.
Curriculum approved for American Muslim school
Posted March 6, 2015 By Garrin Marchetti
NORTH ANDOVER — The school committee unanimously approved the curriculum of the proposed American Muslim Preparatory Academy at its meeting Thursday night, a major development in the high school's plans to open in North Andover.
All five committee members voted in favor of the plan, which had been presented to them by Superintendent Kevin Hutchinson at the Feb. 26 meeting. According to Massachusetts state law, any private school must have its curriculum approved by the town school committee.
Members of the group behind the high school were in attendance for Thursday, including Taymullah Abdur-Rahman, who identified himself before the committee as the principal of the American Muslim Preparatory Academy.
Prior to the start of the meeting, Abdur-Rahman said he was "very excited" about possibly opening the high school in town.
"This (North Andover) is a great place, and from what I understand, their school system is a little overcrowded right now," he said. "Maybe we bring some of those student to our school. We're looking to attract all kinds of students. Everyone is welcome."
A teacher at the Islamic Academy for Peace in Methuen, Abdur-Rahman highlighted some of the school's plans before the committee. He said he believes the school could have up to 150 students, and says North Andover's proximity to heavy Muslim populations in Salem, N.H., and Burlington make the town an ideal location.
The committee listened intently to Abdur-Rahman's pitch without much discussion. Member David Torrisi expressed his concern over the fact the school has not found a location within town to operate yet. Abdur-Rahman said the group had "debated" on finding a space before seeking approval, but ultimately decided to present its curriculum first.
"We're still in the process of looking," Abdur-Rahman said. "We've been working with some real estate agents to find a space."
The group had been working with Hutchinson to create a curriculum similar to those within the North Andover Public Schools system. Along with himself, Hutchinson said North Andover High School Principal Carla Scuzzarella had reviewed the curriculum.
After voting for the plan, Torrisi mentioned the committee had received "some questions" from residents concerning the school. He recommended to Abdur-Rahman that he and the rest of the group return once they know for sure they will be working in town.
"Once you have a location, I suggest you guys come back and check in," Torrisi said. "There can be lots of misconceptions out there, so I think it would be good just to keep people informed."
According to its curriculum, students at the American Muslim Preparatory Academy would need 135 credits to graduate, taking classes ranging from trigonometry and computer technology, to religious studies and Quranic Arabic. Abdur-Rahman also mentioned working with Northern Essex Community College to give students the opportunity to take college-level courses.
Since news of the school became public, Abdur-Rahman said he has received "tremendous" feedback from local residents on the project. He said the Merrimack Valley boasts a large Muslim population, including individuals from Turkey, Morocco and Pakistan.
While he admits a lot of work remains to be done, Abdur-Rahman said he believes the American Muslim Preparatory Academy will sufficiently serve the growing Muslim population in the area and Greater Boston.
"There is a need for a kind of American approach to Islamic education that hasn't been available at this point," Abdur-Rahman said. "So many people have been receptive to this idea, and we know we can do this."