بِسْمِ اللَّـهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bism Allah Arrahman Arraheem
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and may the blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him.
Dear Donors, with the grace of Allah and your unwavering support, we celebrated a momentous achievement on August 30th, 2023, as we welcomed eighty-six eager young minds to their very first day at Ummah Center School. And much like Warren Buffet’s annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, we find it imperative to share this update with our own valued shareholders – you, our donors. After all, we view this school as your school, brought to life through your generosity and dedication.
Our journey began with a vision – the vision of creating a school that would be a true home for our children. A place where they could not only receive a robust Islamic foundation but also a quality academic education. We aimed to establish an institution that would complement parents’ efforts in nurturing proud American Muslims, empowering them with a deep understanding of their faith, and fostering unwavering confidence in their life’s mission.
Since our fundraising efforts began in December 2022, your generous contributions have amounted to a remarkable $337,000 towards our cherished project. We wanted to take a moment to share with you the incredible impact your donations have had on our journey.
Preparing the Ground
Since the start of this year, we’ve embarked on a journey to transform a mere building into a haven for our children. This endeavor involved a flurry of activities, including painting, electrical, lighting, plumbing, construction of walls, installation of security doors, access control and alarm systems, a public announcement system, and the creation of a fenced playground. Additionally, we furnished eight classrooms, ensuring that the essential foundations are now in place.
Empowering Our Educators
Thanks to your support, we’ve been able to welcome Dr. Nasser Razek as the principal of our school. Dr. Nasser brings a wealth of experience in school and educational organization management, both from academia and the field. Despite the nationwide shortage of teachers, we are thrilled to report that, Alhamdulillah, we’ve successfully recruited 13 teachers, all of whom possess strong expertise in core subjects, homeroom teaching, Quran studies, Arabic, and Islamic Studies. We also implemented a professional development program for our teachers both for Arabic & Islamic studies as well as classroom and teaching methodology. The process of hiring these educators has illuminated the challenges we face in sourcing qualified Muslim teachers, prompting us to encourage our youth to pursue careers in education.
A Strong Educational Program
Your donations have enabled us to implement a robust educational curriculum. We’ve carefully selected textbooks and academic materials in alignment with the leading school districts in Northeast Ohio. Additionally, we’ve partnered with Ahl Al Quran organization in Tampa, Florida, to introduce a proven Quran, Islamic, and Arabic program. Our aim is to nurture students who possess a strong command of Arabic and a deep understanding of their faith, Inshaa’ Allah.
State of Ohio Chartering
While UC School is initially established as a private, non-profit institution, we are actively working towards obtaining a charter from the Ohio Board of Education. This will ensure compliance with Ohio’s Operating Standards for Schools and open the door to potential administrative funding. We also plan to enroll our school in the EdChoice Vouchers program, making it more affordable for limited-income families to enroll their children.
Adopting Technology for Learning Needs
Significant strides have been made in the realm of technology. From Chromebooks and teachers’ notebooks to smartboards, network upgrades, a new printer, student information systems, and a learning management platform, we’ve spared no effort in ensuring our students have access to the best tools for their education.
Providing Transportation
Your generosity allowed us to acquire a 12-seat van, a crucial addition to our student transportation capabilities.
Expanding Accessibility
Through your support, twenty-two students now receive partial to full scholarships, making our school accessible to a wider range of young minds.
Our Financial Challenge: Bridging the Gap Together
While we have accomplished much together, our journey is far from over. To put it simply, our tuition for this year is set at $5,500 to $6,000 per student, but the actual cost of providing education for each student is $12,000. This leaves us with a projected deficit of $425,000 by the end of the school year. Furthermore, we anticipate an additional cost of approximately $100,000 to bring in two modular classrooms in preparation for next year’s expansion, which increases the expected deficit to $525,000.
Our Plan to Lower the Deficit in the Coming Years
– We plan to increase tuition for new students joining the school next year.
– Once chartered with the State of Ohio, many families will qualify for the EdChoice program, and the school will become eligible to receive ancillary funds and apply for different grants.
– We aim to increase the number of students per class. Currently, we have an average of 10.5 students per class, but we believe that working towards 16 students per class will help generate additional income per classroom while maintaining quality education and personal attention to students’ needs.
Your support have played a pivotal role in making this vision a reality, and for that, we extend our sincerest gratitude. The journey ahead is promising, and together, we will continue to shape the future for these remarkable students – Inshaa Allah.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. Jazakum Allah Khair!
With warm regards,
UC School Board of Directors
October 28, 2023