FAQs
Admissions
- How do I apply to enroll my child at Crescent?
- How are students selected for enrollment?
- Can I arrange a tour of the school?
- What are the age requirements for kindergarten and first-grade enrollment?
- Do you offer waivers for the age requirement if my child’s birthday falls in early September?
- Do you accept new students at any grade level?
- Do you offer financial aid?
- Does Crescent only accept students of Islamic faith?
- Are all Crescent teachers Muslim?
- Is there a waiting list for admission?
How do I apply to enroll my child at Crescent?
Applying for admission is a multi-phase process involving information-sharing, onsite academic evaluation, and personal meetings to ensure that mutual expectations for an Islamic faith-based educational experience can be met. Learn about the application process on the Admissions section of our website, apply online or contact us via email.
How are students selected for enrollment?
Can I arrange a tour of the school?
Tours are a great way to learn about Crescent. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are a no walk through campus. Contact us for more information.
What are the age requirements for kindergarten and first-grade enrollment?
Kindergarten students must be five years old by August 31 of their entry year. A readiness assessment is given to each kindergarten enrollee prior to acceptance. First-grade students must be six years old by August 31 of their entry year, and have successfully completed kindergarten. Pre-school students must be three or four by August 31 of their entry year.
Do you offer waivers for the age requirement if my child’s birthday falls in early September?
Do you accept new students at any grade level?
Do you offer financial aid?
Does Crescent only accept students of Islamic faith?
Are all Crescent teachers Muslim?
Crescent employs a diverse teaching staff of Muslim and non-Muslim teachers, all of whom are spiritual in their outlook and teach in accordance with the universal principles outlined in The Tarbiyah Project©. Non-Muslim teachers are not responsible for teaching faith, but are responsible for teaching the universals and upholding, promoting and respecting the tenets of the Islamic faith, including adherence to the dress code of hijab and modesty.
Is there a waiting list for admission?
Academics
- What is Crescent’s academic philosophy?
- How are Islamic principles integrated into academics?
- How does Crescent compare with other schools academically?
- What is the typical class size?
- Does Crescent offer programs for gifted students?
- What kind of standardized tests does Crescent give?
- Do students need to master the Arabic Language?
- What high schools do Crescent graduates attend, and do they enjoy success?
What is Crescent’s academic philosophy?
Our approach emphasizes the education of the “total person” – spiritually, intellectually and socially. We offer instruction in a broad range of academic and Islamic disciplines. The formal curriculum, based on The Tarbiyah Project©, effectively integrates academic content (CCSS, NGSS, and MI SS standards) with Islamic principles and understandings so that the student ultimately “sees” that all knowledge comes from Allah and is interconnected with all aspects of life.
How are Islamic principles integrated into academics?
Integration is carefully planned and prepared in advance. Teachers create both curriculum maps for course content and Tarbiyah© Unit Plans for integration. Teachers work in a highly collaborative environment to plan lessons that are holistic and experiential and demonstrate the interconnectedness of all knowledge. We strive to inspire a generation of young men and women who are firmly in touch with themselves, their heritage as Muslims and their roles and responsibilities in contemporary society. The Islamic studies curriculum focuses on the moral teachings, beliefs and practices of Islam and on developing each student’s understanding of and commitment to Islam.
How does Crescent compare with other schools academically?
Crescent students routinely outperform the grade-level norms on the NWEA formative assessment, mostly by double digits, at every grade level. This means that our students are ready to learn at grade level and are performing at or above grade level expectations. On the 4th grade summative ACT Aspire, which is a timed and difficult test, students generally score in the average range on a national scale (30-60%). By the time students take the ACT Aspire in grade 8, students generally perform above average on a national scale (>70%) across subject areas. Almost all 8th grade students surpass the ACT set benchmarks for subject area readiness. This test determines whether or not a student is on track for success in college and helps students choose high school courses designed to best prepare them for the rigors of college level work.
It is relevant to note that Crescent does not expend curricular teaching time to “teach to the test.” Our students are taught basic test taking skills as part of the regular curriculum, but we do not believe in “teaching to the test,” as we feel the measure of any one student is much more than a single test score.
What is the typical class size?
Does Crescent offer programs for gifted students?
Crescent differentiates instruction for all students, and offers support for exceptional students -- gifted or in need of support -- to the best of our ability. The middle school math curriculum is accelerated in that all students are prepared to take Algebra 1 in grade 8. However, we do not offer a specific program targeted toward gifted students.
What kind of standardized tests does Crescent give?
As part of a well-rounded assessment program that includes authentic assessments like portfolios and culminating projects, Crescent employs both formative and summative standardized tests. Crescent tests all students in grades 4 and 8 with the ACT Aspire test to ensure that our academic program is of the highest quality. Furthermore, Crescent gives two formative tests:
- NWEA in grades K-8 to measure academic growth of individual students and to help individualize learning
- Fountas & Pinnell Reading Benchmark test in grades K-5 to gauge student reading level to ensure that each student is being appropriately challenged in reading comprehension, accuracy and fluency.
Do students need to master the Arabic Language?
Mastery of the Arabic language for religious purposes is a high priority at Crescent. However, given that Crescent currently matriculates at grade 8, progress toward Arabic language mastery is the goal. The curriculum focuses on building the foundation necessary for mastery as the student continues their studies in high school and beyond.
The Qur’anic Arabic curriculum focuses on seven key aspects: reading, writing, grammar, linguistics, proper recitation of Qur’an (tajweed), comprehension of Qur’an (tafseer), and memorization of the verses of Qur’an. The understanding of universal concepts, transformation of the person, and love of the Holy Qur’an and Islam as a way of being are also expected outcomes of the Quranic Arabic program.
What high schools do Crescent graduates attend, and do they enjoy success?
Graduates of Crescent attend many different public and private high schools, where they typically enjoy great success while demonstrating leadership and stewardship. Students typically attend International Baccalaureate (IB) high schools and early college programs, in addition to local public and private schools. Our alumni have made many contributions in their chosen fields of study, to their communities, and to society in accordance with Islamic values.
General
- What grades are taught at Crescent Academy International?
- What are the school hours for students?
- Is bus transportation available to and from school?
- What is the tuition, and what does it cover?
- What costs are not covered by tuition?
- What safety and security measures are in place?
- Does Crescent offer a hot lunch program?
- Does Crescent offer sports programs and other enrichment activities?
- What special services are offered?
- What governance structure is in place at Crescent?
- How can I make a financial donation to Crescent?
What grades are taught at Crescent Academy International?
Crescent offers pre-school (ages 3 and 4) to grade 8. We also provide child care from ages 18 months to 3 years.
What are the school hours for students?
School hours for students are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET. The school lobby and drop off area opens to students at 7:50 a.m. All students are to be picked up no later than 3:50 p.m. unless participating in an after school activity or program. (Note: After school programs have been temporarily suspended due to COVID-19.)
Is bus transportation available to and from school?
What is the tuition, and what does it cover?
What costs are not covered by tuition?
There is a non-refundable $100 application fee, a $10 art fee (grades k-5) and a $30 elective fee (grade 6-8). In addition to these fees, other costs parents should plan on include uniforms, general school supplies like notebooks and pens, field trips, hot lunches, and after school enrichment activities.
What safety and security measures are in place?
Crescent is committed to providing a safe, secure learning environment promoting spiritual, social-emotional and physical well-being.
In accordance with best practices and with everyone's well-being in mind, the school developed a comprehensive COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, in cooperation with key stakeholders in the Crescent community.
Crescent has many layers of campus security in place including, but not limited to, employing full-time security with surveillance cameras around campus. Crescent is committed to ensuring a safe learning space, providing students with a judgment-free, emotionally safe learning environment in each and every class and activity.
Does Crescent offer a hot lunch program?
Does Crescent offer sports programs and other enrichment activities?
Yes. Crescent Middle School has several competitive sports teams, known as the Comets, which compete with local schools. The school also offers a wide range of other after-school enrichment programs. (Note: Due to COVID-19, all afterschool sports and enrichments activities have been suspended, with the exception of the Hifz program, which is now virtual.)
What special services are offered?
Crescent partners with the Plymouth/Canton public school district to offer limited auxiliary support services in accordance with Act 269 of the Public Acts of 1955. The following services are available to students: a school psychologist assigned for screening and testing as requested by faculty or parents; teacher consultant services for the learning disabled (for children who meet established guidelines); speech/language therapy for eligible students; hearing and vision screening.
Additionally, Crescent employs a full time social worker, and several resource teachers who work as direct student support in partnership with homeroom and subject-area teachers, including Qur’anic Arabic.
What governance structure is in place at Crescent?
Crescent’s governance structure is two-tiered. There is the Crescent Board of Members, composed of the founders and lifelong supporters of the school, and the Board of Directors, composed of community leaders and contributors, many from non-educational sectors. Both bodies serve to promote and preserve the vision of the school, oversee financial matters, and advise and support the school staff.
How can I make a financial donation to Crescent?
See the Giving section of our website or contact us.
COVID-19
- What steps has Crescent taken in response to Covid-19?
- How are parents kept updated on any changes to the school schedule that may arise from Covid-19?
What steps has Crescent taken in response to Covid-19?
Crescent Academy International has put in place COVID-19 policies that are intended to mitigate, not eliminate, risk. No single action or set of actions will completely eliminate the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, but implementation of several coordinated interventions can greatly reduce that risk. Presented below are some answers in response to COVID-19 questions.
- All staff and parents who plan to return their students to campus for In-Person Learning will be asked to sign an agreement stating that they will support the school's COVID-19 policies and expectations and assure to adhere to them. Failure to sign, submit and uphold the agreement is cause for removal from the school.
- The school will require COVID-19 viral testing for all staff and students prior to the start of the 2020-2021 school year. The COVID-19 viral test must have been conducted at an FDA-approved testing site. Crescent staff will be retested periodically throughout the year.
- We require an electronic health screening for all staff and students to be completed before coming to school each morning. Your child may not come to school if they or anyone in the family:
- Have tested positive for COVID-19
- Have been in close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19
- Are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature greater than 100.4°
- Have traveled internationally or out of state.
- As an additional layer each morning, school representatives will administer temperature checks to all students as they enter the building.
- We require all staff and students to wear masks, keep appropriate spacing and wash and sanitize hands frequently. Sanitizer stations are installed in every classroom and throughout the buildings. Masks will be provided to anyone who is without one.
- The school has designated a specific space to serve as a health isolation room. Any student and/or employee who becomes ill with symptoms of COVID-19 and cannot immediately depart campus must continue to wear a face mask covering and remain isolated in one the designated health isolation rooms while awaiting departure. A member of the school staff will monitor and supervise the student or employee until he/she departs campus.
- Classrooms and restrooms have been arranged for social distancing. All classrooms are equipped with large room capacity air purifiers. Student desks are at least six feet apart and are provided personal storage bins for their belongings. A synchronized communication system is in place among teachers per floor that allow no more than three (3) students in a restroom at one time.
- Lunch in our cafeteria area lunch rooms has been suspended. Students will eat lunch in their classrooms. All water fountains on campus have been disabled with the exception of being able to use the bottle filling feature.
- In addition to the school’s regular daily cleaning schedule, surface areas, including sinks, restrooms, door knobs, and other high-touch points, will be sanitized daily by custodial personnel as well as increased deep cleaning and disinfecting.
- The ventilation (HVAC) systems will be calibrated to provide for the maximum amount of outdoor air circulation in school buildings. All HVAC equipment has been inspected and evaluated by certified technicians to ensure proper air flow and functioning. Weather permitting and where feasible intake of fresh air will be facilitated by additional means.
- We are a no walk through campus. The school office will not be open to walk-in service. All individuals requesting a visit will be directed to email communications, or to schedule a call, a conference call, video call, or ask for a Zoom meeting with the intended/appropriate party. In-person appointments are restricted. All financial transactions and payments are to either be made remotely via electronic banking or check mailed. Parents and guardians will not be permitted to enter the building without a documented administrator approved appointment. Before an appointment will be considered all other means of communication must be exhausted.
- The school has suspended all afterschool sports and enrichment as well as the hot lunch program this year.