This school is horrible. I've been attending since 4th grade and I haven't enjoyed my experience here at all. All of the teachers that actually KNOW how to teach are leaving because of mistreatment, while the rest are either just blatantly rude or don't know how to teach for the life of them. You can easily get in trouble for literally the smallest thing ever too. I received a full weeks worth of community service for going to the office during dismissal through the boy's side(I'm a girl). The school is also extremely biased toward middle schoolers and girls. Countless teachers have done nothing but accuse girls of inappropriate behavior around boys and would even restrict you from going out to blow your nose because they think you'd start admiring boys. Is that not stupid? You could also wear light makeup or literally just do your lashes and you'd get in trouble, meanwhile I see countless others walking around with the heaviest makeup and wouldn't face any punishment. The staff sucks too. I don't see Dr. Abusalih contributing to the school other than being the face of it and getting you in trouble for breathing wrong around her. It's always Ms. Duso and Sr. Shahana running around the place getting work done. It's also like nothing that's important is being dealt with and instead the unimportant stuff is. The enforced ban of phones is just ridiculous, because you're not dealing with the problem; you're just finding a way from it. Class management is also such a horribly grasped concept. A particular teacher keeps on claiming she's fallen terribly ill because of her students, that she's suffering from depression because of her students and whatnot, while she does nothing to stop their behavior. Instead of fixing it, you threaten to call the already weak office who do nothing but threaten students too, and just start ranting about how much you go through. Like that's gonna fix anything? This school is so horribly managed, it's extremely unfair and racist(heavy on Indians), the teachers are a mess, events are horribly held, issues aren't being dealt with because Dr. Abusalih just wants to give out community services to girls, and overall just a bad experience. I am literally whining to go to a different school because this one is quite literally worse than public and not at all an Islamic environment. read more

my child attended this school for one year, and that one year she has complained to me millions of times of how horrible of a school this is. She has went to therapy because this school gave her mild depression and anxiety which has done a lot to my wallet including the school tuition. She says that there is so much potential into this school and it is not being used to its full extent. From what i've seen, I can't help but agree. My daughter does well in her classes. Her only complain is that the grading system is bad and that the teachers are not the best at teaching. She states that, "the school is hiring anyone, and not anyone good. why? because nobody who's actually good wants to be hired." I expected better coming from a private school, and there is a saying of which private schools are more professional and fancier compared to public school. My child completely disagrees with this statement. Another complain i have received from her is the amount of racism she gets and hears from others. Boys call her racist names, and there are million of racist words being thrown around. We are not Arab, and because of this there has been favoritism from students and teachers. Not only racist but sexist stereotypes as well. As an islamic school, this should be changed for we should love each and every one of our ummah. When she complained to a teacher, they dismissed it and used the excuse of students being "young". Not only is this ignorant but this is harmful to whoever said it and whoever it was said to. My daughter also said that the school feels like it is trying to make you into one person. It doesn't offer other opportunities rather than minimal ones. The school system is bad as well, with there being an "A days and B days" schedule. Unlike in public school, you have 4 main subjects for Quarter 1, then the other 4 subjects for quarter 2 and then repeated for the next semester. I feel as this is putting stress for students as they have to keep up with 8 subjects in a week. Lastly as she said, the school environment is not good. I understand that it is not the best since it is connected to a masjid and not a separate school, but during events, she does not feel the school spirit. There is a little playground, a plain field thats small as well, and the gym is tiny too. The school has fundraisers, but I am not sure if they have fundraisers to improve the school. As I previously said, this school has potential. If they put in the work to find better teachers, have better students, and a better environment, then maybe this school can finally feel like a school. read more

I've been attending Al-Arqam since kindergarten and this school always changes and since Dr.Abusalliah became principal this school became horrible. Teachers are constantly leaving due to mistreatment and underpaying. And when they speak out against the principal they're fired. At this point I feel like in Islam we should treat each other equally and how we want to be treated but these teachers are being treated like Walmart employees and even worse. Soo many teachers that taught at arqam for years left because of this. And majority of the teachers are Arab with heavy accents getting qualifications from over seas. I am not at all trying to be racist but for an English teacher we should have someone who doesn't have a thick accent. Especially in elementary because how you're taught English in elementary can affect the way you talk for the rest of your school year until another teacher corrects you. Then after middle school you tend to notice how biased they are towards high-school because they get uniform infractions for light mascara, or clear lip gloss while you see other girls walking around with lash extensions and full face make up, and Mrs.Duso or Dr.Abusalliah do and say nothing? And everyone both middle school and high-school make noise, then instead of lecturing everyone they only lecture middle school and put up posters in every middle school classroom labeled "middle school hallway expectations" as if they're the only ones making noise. Then as a student I don't really see what Dr.Abusalliah does because I see Mrs.Duso doing all the feild work and Mrs.Shahana busy all the time. I understand we should appreciate our principal but her efforts aren't seen at all as a student. And before when Mrs.Duso was principal the board was REALLY biased towards Dr.Abusalliah so they made her principal, as a student I would say that it started off okay but now its horrible. Like they're banning and focusing on the wrong things when the problem is right in front of them, and yet they still focus on something like banning phones from missile school and threatening to go through their bags. They were going to go through MIDDLE SCHOOLERS bags to find phones. Most parents need their kids to keep their phones in their bags incase of an emergency and yet they're threatening to do this over a situation ONE class. Even if that 'situation' was fake banning the phones was not what they should've been focused on. Then racism towards non-Arabs. The admin never see that. Racism towards Indians, Pakistanis, Punjabi, or even fijians, they give them the chicken tikka stereotypes and play it as a joke when its literal racism. "You're gonna marry your cousin"​​ is something played as a joke but is blant racism but its fine because they're Arab. VERY biased. Then the over use of the Indian accent, played off as a joke and makes people laugh but it gets to a point and there's a limit that they always pass but when you address it I'm dramatic, its not that deep, its just a joke! Its racism and at this point it really is that deep. I'm NOT saying all the arabs are like that but it somehow always is an Arab towards a desi. But when the roles are reversed it is that deep.​ And racism towards anyone like African Americans or anyone with dark skin is really common. You hear the N-Word thrown around here and there by MUSLIMS and ARABS that's why you never see ANY African Americans in Arqam. Especially on the boys side, its unaddressed how often they say the N-Word and get away with it. This might have just been in middle school but boys will NOT hesitate to throw around sexist stereotypes. Sure in middle school you're separated by gender but words gets around and you hear it in the hallway. Its even worse if you hear your name thrown in there. What does the admin do? Nothing. They never work on the right situation but chose to have a whole lecture in the auditorium when we sneeze too much? And for club its only on fridays for 30 minutes there's no after school activities and no active P.E clubs because "you have lunch right after this". I don't know if I have high standards but for a private school the building is small, in secondary not all of the teachers have their own classrooms, alot of them only get one break because of how under staffed they are, and the downstais is even worse. Alot of the elementary teachers were parent volunteers who just became teachers because arqam offered and they needed it. If I was a new student or a parent wa ting to take my kid to arqam this would be the biggest disappointment ever. In elementary you have long days and all of your subjects are important, they bombard you with homework in KINDERGARTEN and have a standerd for all the kids. If a kid needs some extra help teachers would tend to look down at him and send him to intervention for extra help. If your child is a little slow then this is not the place because even public school could help teach better. read more

Id like to give my oppinion on this very "Wonderfull of a school". Im currently a student here and to say this school is a 1/5 stars is not even close to how i feel about it. There is no number no words no nothing to put into words to show you how horrible and how bad this school is. This schol is only good for making your kid look good for colleges but in relaity they dont support you what so ever. You can ask legit any student in the school if they are happy here and they will with no doubt tell you how much they hate it here. Theres no freedom theres no fairness theres no logic whatsoever in this school. For example great teachers who have been teaching in Arqam for years and years over 15 years of teaching leaving becuase of the Principal and this isnt no allegation its what is happening. Teachers are so fed up so done and cant put up with the principal ( "DR" Lula Abusalih) teachers who have been in this school for years left the same year the principle joined because of how stubborn and how idotic she can be. for example she puts other female teachers down as if they dont have a voice or they dont have a say in anything. Also when the Falestine situtation was first happening it took students making posts about them walking out of the school for the school to even acknowledge it. An islamic school with muslims failure to acknowledge or to speak up against Falestine is just plane out trash. Another example is that a student who ran away from the school and instead if trying to the find him the "DR" Lula's mind said it was more important to have there weekly meetings as if nothing is happening teachers saying should we go leave to find him and the principal jsut not caring. It took teachers to just leave because she refused to look for him. The principle also mistreates teachers making them quit which results with lack of teachers lack of qualifications. So if im going to be honest this school needs to be fixed and having the principle at the school is the reason why the school is at an all time low. I just want to add that the principle has gave my trauma anxiety stress annoyed feel not safe feel threatened. I have never hated going to a school until "DR" Lula became principle. I want to be heard I don't want people to overlook this I'm tired of students not feeling they don't have a voice because we matter I cant let this to continue happening. As a student I don't care if there is any consequences to me doing this because Im satisfied that I put the word out and I'm ready to face whatever consequence the school can make up to give me. I have the right to speak up against the school and I am very sick and tired of this school especially from "DR" Lula. read more

It's kind of a home for many of our children, where they learn their everything what they need for here and hereafter

I moved from the bay area 5 years ago and moved my kids from Granada Islamic school to Arqam Islamic school when they were 2nd and 4th grade and my youngest started TK in Arqam last year and KG this year. I have few friends who didn't continue in Arqam and I have many friends are continuing in Arqam. My oldest left Arqam after 6th grade unfortunately and it is a decision I really regret. Academically I have no issue with Arqam at all, I think my kids level is great compared to public schools, when my son moved to public from Arqam he was actually ahead, when he moved from Granada Islamic school to Arqam at 4th grade he was behind and challenged and needed some time to catch up. My daughter at 2nd grade was studying remarkable science and social studies compared to what we were used to for this grade level. Arqam might be harder as it has 3 extra subjects, Arabic, Quran and Islamic studies with all the tests and homeworks so they don't treat them as extra curriculums or extra activities but regular subjects to care for as they should. The culture in Arqam is kids are muslims, memorizing Quran, caring for some values, having their mistakes and issues but it is very very minor compared to what was there in public and certainly not as common. Arqam is not having angels as many parents were assuming!! Some of the kids are stubborn, rebelling, coming from nonreligious muslim families or just learned something bad from a friend or TV and they are not best kids but at the end they have the core values the same plus the school is pushing to enforce islamic values but even the school might have some flows doing that but they are doing that with the best intension. In Arqam it is like a community, you can easily connect with the teachers, you are connected with the other parents, you can volunteer in school and see your kids' environment. In public school you cannot know other parents, you can communicate with teachers but not as in Arqam, you can volunteer in elementary maybe but not middle and high where all the trouble is. Graduates from Arqam go to great schools and UCs as Arqam push hard and students don't have distractions as in public schools plus the culture in Arqam is all of families pushing their kids hard to go to good universities so you don't have any students planning to quit after highschool. Pros are: - Islamic environment and values, muslim classmates with much higher chances to find good muslim friends than in a public school. - kids get good islamic foundation that can last them the life time, information, fiqh, seerah, aqeedah, tafseer, ahadith, duaas, and so on. - They learn Quran and tajweed, they learn how to read from Quran. - They are separated by gender in middle and highschool. Boys and girls are in different classes, and also girls get their privacy in PE and practice PE in a private gym where they can take their hijabs off. - There are different activities and enrichments in different grades of school. - They pray zuhr daily in school in masjid jamaa. - They do AP and IB classes. Cons are: -They don't have as many resources as public schools so if you need special class or special assistance for your kid they won't have that. -Some teachers are great, some are not as great. -There are extra subjects compared to public so kids might be complaining specially if they started in public school with less load then moved to Islamic school. - you need to pay tuition which is 2/3 or half what you pay in another regular private school, they don't make money out of it as it is actually barely enough or less for their running cost of salaries, supplies and all might be needed to run a school. At the end school is a package that has pros and cons and depending on your priorities you may choose the package you think is the best for you and your kids. If you don't put your kids in Islamic school so homeschool them but never public school as you will regret it too late, your kids 1st priority in life is to be strong muslims with strong Islamic values and comfortably reading the Quran and practicing fully, they need to be strong enough to raise "muslim" kids, if you put the Islamic values as less priority while raising your kids you are to be asked on the day of judgement. read more

I'm updating my review and this is coming from a mother that had two children plus nieces and nephews attending this Islamic school in the past. I have well spent over $40,000 in tuition at this school and sad to say; the education provided was not worth it! It whole heartedly saddens me to say that although this is an Islamic school, but the administration does not act and treat our children very Islamically. What I mean by this is that these teachers and staff have their favorites and if you are not from their culture or community, Then be prepared to be treated like an outcast! I have sent my two children here for the past 3 years all because it is an islamic school and I wanted them to have the islamic up bringing in school . I trusted that they are protected and provided with the best education. This is far from the truth. I saw this first hand during the pandemic when class was held virtual . These teachers are NOT certified to teach. They rarely respond to emails , they do not have good communication skills towards their students are parents . Email are sent to families often times with bad grammar, spelling errors and sometimes even sent or cc to the wrong receiver regarding confidential information about someone' else's child! They use whatsapp as the communications platform and pick and choose which "moms", should be the messenger to rely messages to families when it should be the main home room teacher's responsibility. They send emails regarding important event last min sometimes 24 hours or the morning of when the event is to take place. The children are often yelled out bc they do not know or memorize a certain surah. Teachers are so overwhelmed with teaching multiple classes and so many students that they issue wrong assignment to wrong grade levels in error and turn around yells at the students for completing the wrong assignment that they (the teachers issued). The students are sent home with a tons of homework and if your child is not preforming according to their standards, oh they will not even notify you until 2 weeks before graduation to tell you that they will hold your child 2 years back - NOT 1 year people! Because this is a private school, they feel like they can treat and do whatever they want! I'm surprise the principal has not taken any disciplinary actions against these teachers that feel they can say and mistreat students however they want? ! They do not even provide the best education! Allahamdullah for virtual classes, because I was able to see and hear how they run their classes, what is being said to the students and how they teach their daily lessons. There are no accountability for the teachers at all! The result of a child's failure or successful is the outcome of the teacher. Although parents do play a huge role in supporting our children, but it's the teachers job to teach, not the parents . This administration loves to put the blame on parents when a child they teach at their school fails. For this reason, I had to immediately withdraw my children out that school and placed them in public school where they are more welcomed, loved, comfortable and most importantly treAted with respect! This school expects their students to be A students when the administration doesn't provide A education. Before you enroll your kids, please talk to parents that have had their children attending this school and ask them why they currently do not attend. My children and family is much more happier now in public school . read more

I felt obligated to write a review given the inaccuracy I read in the reviews under me. It's a shame that people resort to taking their gripes and complaints to a social media platform, in efforts to tarnish the name of a school. If you are reading this, just know that Al-Arqam has some of the hardest working instructors and staff in the Sacramento area. They built this institution from the ground up, many dedicating their lives to the students they teach. I've watched countless children study from elementary grades through high school and enter prestigious universities. These same students competed successfully with other students from public and private educational upbringings. Truly a shame to read actual Muslim yelp users try to knock down an Islamic school that's literally connected to the Masjid. Shame on you guys. read more

All my three kids attend(ed) the school since KG. One graduated and pursuing her BSN, second is graduating this year and third in four years. School created a great Islamic environment for kids to grow up. Parents had to do their part as in any other school and play supportive role as well as complement any shortcomings. School is not for profit thus always face the challenge in improving while on a very tight budget. Again, as any other school, there are challenges but none that would have forced us to seriously consider public option all past 15years. We kept informed, engaged school when needed, supported staff and stayed on top of academics at home and with teachers. read more

If you are anything besides "Arab" Just know they will treat your kids differently. From staff to students. They charge thousands of dollars monthly and require donations almost every two weeks for different things but when situations like bullying or students being in cliques and excluding others and being mean are brought up THEY FALL ON DEAF EARS. They do not care especially if you are afghan, pakistani, punjabi, or indian. From staff to students the culture and nurturing environment IS NOT THERE. Do not send your kids here. My children would complain DAY IN and DAY OUT about bullying. It was brought to the teachers and the other children's parents. Did ANYTHING change? No it hasnt. Removed my kids and i KNOW there are other parents who have to deal with this still. For the mental health of you child. Dont send them here unless your arab. Its very obvious how they feel they are superior. read more

Bad school,most of its teachers are not qualified for teaching . Very aggressive administration members . Very bad playground with one old slid , muddy Feild to play in the elementary school student doesn't have fun activities at all . A lot of teachers there don't care about checking the homework. I don't recommend that place if your looking to very good academic school. read more

I am very happy with this school. My daughter s performance communication and knowledge has increased a lot. She is in TK and has learned more then I expected. I recommend this school for everyone. Truly worth it... read more

Moved to the Sacramento area to enroll my children in this school. Very impressed with the schools ability to run at the large scale (approx. 450 students) and maintain their Islamic identity while still feeling like 1 big family. Adhering to the Qur'an and Sunnah seems to be the motto and central theme of the entire faculty and staff. Operating the school in the masjid reminds me of our Islamic history and has a huge effect on the children. The school also encourages parental involvement and has a strong PTO. The willingness to accept ideas and criticism, and use them to grow is also a major plus. read more

Stay away unless you are willing to traumatize your child with a three hour long entry exam. This is for first grade God knows how much longer the exam is for other grades. Applied twice for my daughter and got rejected twice, and her 2 siblings are attending the school :( read more