Introduction

Al-Huda School is located in College Park, Maryland.
It is an educational facility for young Muslims. It goes from Pre-School and Daycare, to 8th grade. In fall 2007, the school will start to have a 9th grade. The school is part of Dar-Us-Salam, which includes a mosque, a bookstore, and a grocery store.

Dar-Us-Salam

Dar-us-Salaam is committed to sharing the message of Islam through sincere action, by developing a model Islamic community based upon and adhering to the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. Such a living, dynamic and vibrant Islamic community can call the people To Islam by example and not merely through word alone, with the help and permission of Allah.
Dar-us-Salaam is an Islamic community development project situated next to Washington DC, the capital of the USA. Our intention is to spread the beautiful message of Islam throughout America, and Dar-us-Salaam will serve as the vehicle to accomplish this vision, with the help of Allah.
A Vibrant Islamic Community such as Dar-us-Salaam can
• Serve as a role model for others across America
• Invite non-Muslims (and Muslims) to come and see Islam in action
• Provide a safe haven for Muslims from the prevailing vices around us
• Influence society towards righteousness and truth
• Provide a central unifying location for our physical, social and spiritual needs
Why Focus on Developing an Islamic Community to Spread Islam?
Muslims across the country have made and continue to make efforts in the area of Da’wah (telling nonmuslims about Islam) but there have been two major problems that have plagued such efforts. One is that we often find people leaving Islam just as quickly as they come in, and due to poor follow-up; even newly reverted Muslims fall back into disbelief. The second problem, is that people may be convinced of the truth of Islam, but refuse to follow it because they don’t see it being implemented anywhere, except in piecemeal fashion.
With this in mind, Dar-us-Salaam endeavors to establish an environment that will allow a person to grow and develop both physically and spiritually in their submission to Allah (i.e. Islam). By providing for all their basic needs in an “Islamic” environment, ones remembrance of Allah (taqwa) will be nurtured and thus grow. Such an environment must provide a Masjid, a school for the young and old, businesses and shops for employment and basic needs, housing, medical and financial institutions as well.
Such an environment, once created through a community such as Dar-us-Salaam, will be in the best position to show Americans Islam in action and up close, follow-up with our new Muslims, nurture and develop existing Muslims and provide a spring board for further Islamic development and unified growth in the states and beyond.

Accreditation

The Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools is pleased to announce that Al-Huda School has been awarded accreditation by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
AL-Huda School's Certificate of Accreditation
The award was announced by Dr. Patricia Kelly-Stiles, Chair of the Commission and Deputy Superintendent of the Diocese of Brooklyn (NY), following the Commission’s November 2006 meeting. Al-Huda School was one of approximately 40 schools so honored by the Commission.

MSCES accreditation signifies the educational community of Al-Huda School has engaged in a rigorous process of developing self-knowledge; has hosted an evaluation team of independently-appointed educators; and has created an on-going Strategic Plan to move school improvement forward. This process was governed by a Steering Committee, chaired by Mr Imad Tibi. The process involved many elements of the Al-Huda School community, including faculty, parents, and students.

Accreditation also signifies that Al-Huda School has met the MSCES Standards for a quality school. These Standards reflect current research and best practices from throughout the education profession. During the term of accreditation the school community will engage in a Commission-directed series of reports and/or site visits to maintain the vigor of the accreditation process.

MSCES, which works with public and private schools from New York State to the District of Columbia, in the US Caribbean, and in various locations around the globe, is one of three accrediting Commissions of the over 100-year old Middle States Association. The Middle States Association is the second-oldest regional accreditor in the United States and, in addition to its elementary component, is also comprised of the Commission on Secondary Schools and the Commission on Higher Education.

Accreditation by MSCES is recognized around the world as an indication of trustworthiness, educational quality, and a commitment to on-going school improvement. F. Laird Evans, Ed. D., Executive Director of the Commission, offered his congratulations to the entire Al-Huda School community, adding: “MSCES accreditation is a recognition of both prior achievements and a commitment to greater future accomplishments.”