welcome to the rappahannock Islamic School of Excellence (RISE)

Answer the Call of the Ākhirah — Support R.I.S.E.

A Note From the SPF Board, a 100% Volunteer-based team:

• Today, we invite you to be among those who give. R.I.S.E. – Rappahannock Islamic School of Excellence is opening in August 2026, insha’Allah. It will be a full-time Islamic school dedicated to nurturing academic excellence while instilling strong Islamic character in the next generation.

This is more than a school—it is an opportunity for ṣadaqah jāriyah. An investment whose rewards will continue long after we have returned to Allah. Every lesson taught, every Qur’an recited, every good character instilled—these are rewards that can be written for you.

• Be among those who answer the call today and build a beautiful akhirah for tomorrow. Donate to R.I.S.E. and be part of something that lives beyond you.

May Allah accept from you and grant you the finest reward. Contribute to your Sadaqah Jariyah here: Donate to the Rappahannock Region Islamic School Project.

Frequently Asked Questions: FAQs

The Parent's Guide: Consolidating our mission, logistics, and vision for your child.

I. The Philosophy: Why Balance STEM with Humanities?

Q: Is this a STEM school or an Islamic school?

A: It is both, seamlessly. We believe a scientist without ethics or a leader without history cannot truly serve the Ummah. We teach STEM to give students the technical skills of the future, but we integrate Humanities to teach them the Adab (etiquette), history, and social responsibility required to use those skills for good.

Q: What does "Project-Based Learning" look like in practice?

A: Instead of dry memorization, students solve "Prophetic Challenges." For example, a student won't just study "water" in a textbook. They will use Math and Science to design a filtration system, while using Humanities and Islamics to study the Sunnah of water conservation and the global ethics of resource distribution.

Q: How are Arabic and Quran handled?

A: They are the foundation, not an elective. Arabic and Quran are taught daily with a focus on literacy, speaking, and—most importantly—understanding. Our goal is for students to see the Quran as a living guide for their academic and personal lives.

II. Enrollment & Logistics

Q: What is the breakdown of the tuition costs?

A: As a first-year startup, we are committed to quality over quantity. Your tuition is a direct investment in:

• Low Ratios: Ensuring every child receives individualized mentorship.

• Expert Faculty: Competitive salaries for teachers who excel in both academics and Tarbiyah (character building).

• Specialized Resources: Hands-on STEM kits and Humanities resources that go beyond standard textbooks.

• Note: Preschool tuition is slightly higher ($1,000) due to strict state-mandated staffing ratios and the specialized care required for early childhood development.

Q: Where is the school located?

A: We are launching at the ICF Schoolhouse. This allows our children to learn in a space filled with barakah (blessings). As our enrollment grows, we have a multi-year scaling plan to expand into a larger facility while maintaining our deep roots with the Rappahannock-region community. Our 100% volunteer-led and mission-driven team is comprised of members of all four local masajid: ICF, Maryam Center, FMC, and Masjid Aliya.  

III. The Vision & Sustainability

Q: Why do you need to raise $90,000 if you charge tuition?
A: Tuition covers the daily operations of a functioning school. However, the Launch Fund builds the institution. This $90k ensures we can hire top-tier educators who are experts in both their field and Islamic character (Tarbiyah), secure high-level STEAM and Humanities licenses, and outfit the ICF Schoolhouse with the technology our children deserve.

Q: Is the school accredited?

A: We are following all Virginia Department of Education guidelines to ensure a seamless academic transition. While formal accreditation for new schools typically takes 2–3 years of operation to finalize, we are beginning the process on Day 1 to ensure our students are competitive at every level. Your enrolled child would have all materials to move forward with our school or to any other schooling route of choice seamlessly with thorough documentation required for state educational standards.