Washington Islamic Academy

Where Islamic Values Come First

Goals of the Academy

The Academy's main goal is to provide young Muslims with a quality education while instilling in them Islamic morals and principles. At our school Islamic values come first. By adopting the Fairfax County curriculum, and meeting state and national knowledge standards, the school prepares students to continue and excel in their secondary and collegiate education in this country as well as abroad. In addition, the Academy aims to build Islamic morals and practices in each individual child so that they may learn to live their lives as Muslims.

Programs

In addition to the regular program, which includes Mathematics, Science, Arts, Social Studies, Language Arts, English, and Physical Education; the following subjects are introduced to enhance the students' identity as Muslims, Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Recitation as well as Memorization of the Holy Quran. The regular program is adopted to enable students pass the Standards of Learning (SOLs) that are required by Fairfax County for Board of Education for graduation from high school.

The School Day

School hours are from 8:00 A.M. till 3:30 P.M. Mon-Thurs, and 8:00 A.M. till 2:30 P.M. on Fridays. Students are not expected to arrive before 7:30 AM. Parents should make sure that their children are picked-up on time of dismissal.

Students Reporting Late to School

If a student is late, he/she must sign in at the office and receive a pass to go to class, or that student will be marked absent for the day.

Students Departing Early

No student will be permitted to leave school early without written permission or a telephone call to the appropriate office from the parent or guardian.

Attendance

Scholastic achievement usually depends on good attendance. WIA records include attendance information. Students missing exams or other schoolwork may make them up if they have an excused absence. Make-up exams are scheduled at the convenience of the teacher. A student returning from an unexcused absence shall receive a failing grade on all work missed during the absence and shall not be allowed to make up missed work.

Excused Absences

Excused absences include the following:

• Student illness.
• Doctor/dentist appointments (You must have a note from the doctor's office.)
• A family emergency.
• Other reasons acceptable to the Principal.

If parents fail to verify the absence within five days of their child's return, the absence becomes unexcused.

School Visits

All visitors, including parents, must report to the school office.

Dress Code

There is a uniform dress code for both boys and girls. Failure to adhere to the dress code may result in disciplinary action leading to suspension or expulsion. Adherence to uniform regulations will be strictly enforced from the beginning of the year. If you are out of uniform, your parents will be called and required to either bring you the proper uniform and/or take you home.

Girls

Navy blue School jumper, white shirt, white or navy blue socks or navy blue leotards, and black shoes. If additional clothing is needed for warmth, white turtleneck shirts may be worn. Black or navy blue sweaters or jackets may be worn with the uniform

For girls, the following are strictly prohibited:

• NO clogs, sandals, or slippers.
• NO sheer pantyhose.
• NO colored headscarves.
• NO long fingernails or fingernail polish.
• NO flashy or expensive jewelry.
• NO nose rings.

Boys

• Shirt: All boys must wear a white shirt. The shirt may be either long sleeved or short sleeved. A navy blue sweater or a navy blue blazer (sport coat).
• Pants/Slacks: Boys are required to wear navy blue slacks.
• Shoes: Shoes must be black, with black shoelaces.
• Socks: Socks can be white or navy blue.
• Proper Haircuts: The Academy dress code also includes the following regulations for haircuts:

  • Hair should be off the neck.
  • A portion of the ear must be visible.
  • The hair must be neat in appearance. (well groomed.)
  • Extreme hairstyles that draw undue attention will not be allowed.

Discipline

As the student matures, awareness develops that sensible rules serve to safeguard the safety and success of the individual. Rules at WIA are reasonable, well communicated, and fairly administered. Demonstrated respect for others fosters a spirit of mutual respect in which orderly behavior flourishes.

Student Behavior

Students will be expected to:

• Display appropriate classroom behavior.
• Adhere to the WIA dress code.
• Respect the safety and welfare of others.
• Respond appropriately and respectfully to the directives of faculty and staff.
• Walk on sidewalks.
• Place trash in designated receptacle.
• Respect the property of the Academy.

Office Referral

Students will be sent to the office immediately for the following actions:

• Cheating, stealing, and/or lying.
• Defiance of teacher authority.
• Offensive language at school (classrooms &hallways) or on the school bus.
• Fighting or otherwise endangering the welfare of others.
• Vandalism or tampering with a fire alarm, fire extinguisher, or other school equipment.
• Smoking, substance abuse, or bringing a weapon onto campus.
• Use and/or possession of cellular phones and pagers.
• Vandalism or tampering with a fire alarm, fire extinguisher, or other school equipment.
• The Principal on a case-by-case basis will deal with these infractions.

Detention

A student referred to the office for unacceptable behavior in the classroom or elsewhere, may be detained in an area designated by the administration. Depending on the severity of the behavioral problem, the administration may also require a parent conference. Failure to report for detention may result in suspension from school until a parent conference can be held.

Leaving the Campus

Leaving the campus during the school day or after a school activity, without authorization, will result in suspension. The student will not be allowed to return to the campus before a parent conference takes place.

Suspension Policy

• In cases of in-school or out-of-school suspension, the administration will notify the parents of the circumstances surrounding the discipline action.
• A student will not receive credit for work he/she has missed during suspension.
• A student returning after a suspension must be accompanied by a parent for a conference with the Principal.

Expulsion Policy

Violations that can result in expulsion include, but are not limited to the following:

• Lying, cheating, stealing.
• Copying the ideas or work of others.
• Abuse of property of others and property of the Academy.
• Fighting, physical, verbal or written threats, and other acts of defiance.
• Disrespect of others, insubordination, obscene and/or offensive language.
• Repeated disregard for WIA rules and regulations.
• Possession of tobacco, controlled substances, dangerous objects/weapons.
• Tampering with the fire alarm or other school equipment.

Homework Policy

If a student does not complete her homework she will receive one warning from the teacher. The second time assigned homework is not completed, the student's name will be submitted to the office.

Teacher Evaluation of Student Achievement and Progress. Students earn grades in the following areas and activities:

Policy regarding Testing

Various instruments and devices shall be administered to measure student progress. The information gathered from the administration of such instruments and devices shall be for the purpose of providing meaningful guidance to the student, parent, and teacher. Periodically, standardized tests may be administered to provide useful, comparative information relative to the student's progress in his/her courses.

Student Transportation

WIA does not provide any transportation. However, WIA is willing to help participating parents who sign up for carpooling. For more information, contact the adminstrative assitant.

Consequences for Misconduct

• Verbal warning.

• Second offense during same 9-week period: Verbal warning with check mark on record sheet.

• Third offense during same 9 week period: Verbal warning that next offense will result in report to principal with check mark on record.

• Fourth offense will result in referral to principal recommending either:

  • A two-day in-school suspension, with a letter sent to the parent, or

  • A two-day suspension of bus riding privileges.

• An offense following a suspension shall be, treated as "severe misconduct" and the consequences for severe misconduct shall be applied, see below.

Consequences for Severe Misconduct

Depending on the nature of the problem and the surrounding circumstances, one of the following consequences will result from severe misconduct.

Inclement Weather

In some cases, especially in case of bad weather, the school might open late or close early. The WIA will follow Fairfax Public School System in opening and closing. Please listen to local radio and TV stations for the latest announcements regarding that matter. Also make sure your child knows where to go and what to do in early closing.