ISBR ACADEMY:
We are the weekend Islamic school of the Islamic Society of Basking Ridge.
OUR MISSION:
We aim to provide Islamic education in a positive and welcoming environment.
CURRICULUM:
We offer three Main Subjects in Levels 1 to 8 (for ages 5 to 17):
- QURAN: Recitation with Tajweed; Memorization & Meaning of Surahs/Dua; Instruction in Salah
- ARABIC: Elementary Arabic (Levels 1-2); Noorani Qaidah (Levels 3-5);Option to study Modern Standard Arabic or Quranic Arabic (Levels 6-8)
- ISLAMIC STUDIES: Weekend Learning Islamic Studies (Levels 1-5), Life of Rasulullah, Makkah & Medina (Levels 6-7), Youth GRoup (Level 8+)
ADVANCED CLASSES:
- ADVANCED QURAN: Recitation with Tajweed wiht formally trained teachers including Sr. Seham Bakr.
- ADVANCED ARABIC: Modern Standard Arabic, Levels 9 & 10 with Sr. Samar Ismail.
- YOUTH GROUP: Class for Level 8 and up; focused on Islamic topics relevant to youth, community service and leadership development.
- ISBR GAVEL CLUB: Affiliated with Toastmasters International, Gavel Club is an supportive way for youth to learn the art of public speaking. Meetings are run by members and overseen by Toastmansters mentor, Br Heckmat Nafi.
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:
- CREATIVE PROJECTS: Throughout the year, Sr Azra Kidwai sponsors arts and crafts projects, writing contests and skits to encourage students to express their love of Islam through creative channels.
- COMMUNITY SERVICE & INTERFAITH ENGAGEMENT: Students are
encouraged to participate in ISBR projects such as local food bank drives, our annual dinner for Veterans and local volunteer opportunities. We also partner with an interfaith congregation to allow our students to exchange experiences and learn the importance of sharing their faith. - SOCIAL ACTIVITIES: While our classes are held on Zoom, we will endeavor to arrange optional, socially-distanced gatherings of students in each Level to allow them to maintain friendships. When possible again, we look forward to restoring our Winter Potluck, Spring Field Trip & Graduation Celebration.
CALENDAR:
Sundays from September 20, 2020 to June 6, 2021, excluding holiday weekends
HOURS:
Assembly: 9:45 – 10:00 am
Level 1-8 Classes: 10:00 am – 1:30 pm
Advanced Classes: 1:30 – 2:30 pm
VENUE:
Live instruction on Zoom for Fall 2020
FEES:
- Annual Tuition for Levels 1-8: $450 per student for 3 Main Subjects; Books ordered separately
- Supplement for Advanced Arabic, Levels 9 & 10:
$150 if third class; $300 if only class (or fourth) - Supplement for Other Advanced Classes:
$0 if third class; $150 if only class (or fourth)
ENROLLMENT PROCESS FOR 2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR:
REGISTER:
By Sat, Sept 12, please register at isbri.org
- Timely registration allows us to make student placements before classes begin.
- You may register and pay fees on Sept 12 or you may pay fees later, by Sept 19.
ORIENTATION:
Join us Sun, Sept 13 from 10 am to 12pm on Zoom: Meeting ID 891 4554 4959
- From 10 to 11am, we will give New Parents & Students an overview.
- From 11am to 12pm, we will evaluate New Students for Levels assignments.
FEE PAYMENT:
Live instruction on Zoom for Fall 2020
FEES:
By Sat, Sept 19, please pay all fees due via:
- Zelle: Name: ISBR; Tel: 908-672-1798; Memo: School, or
- Check payable to ISBR and mailed to P.O. Box 173, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, or e-Check (link to come).
ISBR ACADEMY STAFF
DR. AMER KHOKHAR
Dr Khokhar has taught at our school since 2011 and has been the Principal since 2016. He is a Qari, having completed Hifz al Quran from Qari Abdul Rehman of Shahabia Dars in 1986. Dr Khokhar obtained an MD from Ovidius University of Medicine in Constanta. He has taught Quran and Islamic subjects to children/youth for over 20 years.
SR. YASMEENA CHAUDRY
Yasmeena Chaudry has been our Administrator since 2016. She has a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies & International Relations from Brown University, an Intermediate Certificate from the Arabic Language Institute of American University in Cairo and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. She has practiced corporate law at Skadden, Arps, New York for 17 years.
SR. SAMAR ISMAIL
Sr Samar Ismail is a professional Arabic language teacher and has taught at our school since 2011. She has a B.A. in Arabic & Eastern Languages & Literature from Alexandria University (Egypt). She has taught Arabic for over 30 years, including 11 years at Alexandria Language Schools. She has been a paraprofessional teacher in New Jersey schools for over 20 years.
SR. AZRA KIDWAI
Sr Azra Kidwai has taught Islamic Studies at our school since 2013 and has been Assistant Principal since 2016. She is an active participant in the annual ISNA Education Forum and ISLA Leadership Retreat where she receives Islamic educational training. She is a certified Child Abuse Prevention Facilitator and has worked in Somerset County public schools.