*review, updated with photos* This review is specific to Minaret Academy's Montessori Program. This is our first year with the school after coming from a different Montessori program (which we LOVED), and overall, we have had a positive experience at Minaret with recognition of some room for improvement. This will be a long review, but please do read through it if you are considering this program. Please remember transitioning to a new school is always difficult and takes at least a few months for children to fully settle in. The challenges they will face here are not unique to Minaret and will likely be faced anywhere (potential behavioral concerns, finding new friends, learning to find their voice in a classroom setting, etc). The beauty of Minaret's Montessori is that the current director is incredibly knowledgeable about child development and is always ready to work with parents regarding any of their concerns. Anyways, I'll break it down by pros/room for improvement as I've experienced them. I am happy to chat with anyone who may be considering this school and is looking for more information! Pros: The new director Ms. Mai is incredible and is clearly working so hard to improve this program. She is attentive to parents/students, sharp, kind, well spoken, and dedicated to the Montessori method. What I appreciate is she is always open to hearing our concerns. While she encourages parents to make their own observations of the program/teachers she is also candid about each classroom environment (example: different personality types, teaching method of the teacher, etc). We did face some growing pains at the beginning of the school year, coming from our previous school, however, we worked together with the teacher and Ms. Mai to address these issues. I do believe Ms. Mai has the students' interest at heart. The curriculum challenges students to learn academically, spiritually, and linguistically while giving them enough room to be themselves.The staff and PTO work hard to foster a sense of community for families attending by putting together events for the children and asking parents to be heavily involved. In terms of the physical learning space, the Montessori rooms are large and have all the engaging Montessori activities. Room for improvement: We really need a larger outdoor play area for our young children. Further, it would be nice to see some updates in the classrooms to help with cleanliness. Cleaner rugs/carpets or even removing carpet would be great, as would cleaning up the activity shelves from pen, marker, paint marks. I would love to also see us offer alternate childcare during winter break, spring break, etc for parents who are not as available to take so much time off. Additionally, I would love to see a monthly or quarterly open forum for parents to collectively meet with Ms. Mai as the director where she can share updates, hear parents concerns, etc. She does send out a monthly newsletter and this does a great job of updating parents. Overall, it is a good school. Your child will be well loved here, they will foster a sense of community, and they will definitely learn. Growing pains will require you as a parent to be engaged, discuss with teacher/director, and be open minded to change. Best of luck to you all in your decision making process! read more

See all

I recommend it as it is a good Islamic school in the orange county Safe and Islamic environment read more

Excellent teachers and support staff. Director Ms. Mai is awesome! My child has lots of fun with his friends while learning about the deen. Highly recommend to anyone wanting their kids in the Montessori program. read more

We have been a part of Minaret Academy since my daughter started preschool, and I couldn't be happier with the progress she has made. The improvements in the Montessori program have been outstanding, and we are truly grateful for the positive changes under the leadership of the new director, Mrs. Mai. She listens to our concerns, makes us feel heard, and works hard to find the best solutions for the students and parents. The principal and staff are amazing--dedicated, caring, and always striving to create the best learning environment for the students. My daughter has learned so much Arabic and Quran, and I am incredibly proud of how much she has grown both academically and spiritually. Thank you to Mrs. Mai and the entire team at Minaret Academy for your hard work and commitment to excellence. I highly recommend this school to any family looking for a strong Islamic and academic foundation for their child. read more

Minaret Academy provides a welcoming environment and my daughter has been attending for 2 and half years and I see how much she is learning at this school. They strive to have there student succeed in education and faith. read more

I wish I had paid attention to the negative reviews but I wanted to believe this was the right school for my toddler because it was next to the mosque, and the supervisor and teachers seemed to say the right things. However, when i had seen the output of sending my toddler to that God forsaken school, I quickly pulled her out. She did not learn Arabic, the "Montessori" activities are simplistic, the school is dirty, and she learned how to push and fight. This school could have damaged her for life if I had left her there any longer. When the school does Not have cameras for you to watch your own child, it's because they do not want to let you watch the teachers do nothing and see they do nothing helpful for the children when they hurt each other. I would say this school is like a zoo, but a zoo is better than this unorganized, chaotic, overly packed and backwards environment that is not fit for any child to thrive in. Masking themselves as being a Muslim school is a farce because you will eventually realize the teachers lie and so does the woman in charge of the Montessori program, along with the principal...lying to protect the school's image or from any wrong they do to your child. The truth will eventually be seen and known by all. read more

My children have been at Minaret Academy since 2017 and it is in my opinion the best Islamic private school because of its blend of academic excellence, the best Arabic program in the area, and its whole-child approach to education. Other huge positives are 1) the Principal, Ibrahim Yousef, who has worked wonders in shifting the school to focus more on project-based learning and has built moral among students, parents, and staff in a difficult post-COVID world, 2) the staff, who are excellent educators, master teachers (there are too many to name!), as well as loving and devoted mentors to our children, and brothers and sisters to parents, 3) the community of parents, who are actively involved in supporting the school through the PTO and volunteering and have become extended family as our children grow together, and 4) the welcoming, accepting, non judgmental, and encouraging Islamic environment. We love Minaret Academy so much! JazakAllah Khair to everyone involved for making this school the best place for our children to learn and grow into well-rounded, kind, and confident young adults. Now please, add a high school!!! read more

The school has been giving our kids bad side and do not put effort into trying to let the kids have a good time. Total waste of money and dont recommend it read more

Salam, Our son, Omar Mohsin, joined the Montessori blue room from mid -October 2021. We had aspired to let him continue there since it's just a few blocks away, next to our beloved masjid. Still, just within a couple of weeks, our interaction with the teachers just brought his complaints that he didn't speak a word(he did speak few words at home then), and we assumed that it was because Omar was still adjusting but the poor teachers couldn't seem to get the hang of it. We could feel them overwhelmed, stressed, and tired all the time, and this is not what we wanted our children to receive as the first impression of a school. Moving forward, the complaints whenever I(his mom)went to pick him up, protests grew more intense(in front of Omar), and then, since February, we started noticing changes in his behavior at home and in the car on the way back home which were: a.Clenching his fists b.Grinding his teeth c,Hitting other kids in park Therefore,in best interest of my child,we pulled him out of school and put him with a private daycare and Alhumdulillah*infinity that he improved right away,communicated with her and all those things which kids his age would do And we strongly felt that his 6 months in MA were a huge waste ,of his time,ours,and our money. read more

My kids have been at this school since 2011. Great staff, teachers and environment. The school is like a family and the education is superb. The teachers are passionate about the well being of their students and encourage the students to strive for the best. If you are looking for a well rounded Islamic school that caters to the individual student and their well being, this is the best school! read more

Minaret Academy is an excellent school that focuses on enhancing each child academically, culturally, and religiously. The faculty is caring and they provide one-on-one attention to children to support their development and growth. My children have attended since pre-school and are excelling academically while building their Islamic foundation. I highly recommend the school! read more

Best school in socal. We found a great atmosphere for our kids without compromising the Academics. So blessed to have it in OC. tuition is low compared to similar private schools. read more

Great private school with an intimate and nurturing environment. With an emphasis on academics, this school provides the perfect combination for our children. So thankful the school goes to 8th grade, hoping a high school will be added in the future. read more