Why HQA is Unique

By: Dr. Hamed Ghazali

HQA is a K-12 accredited school that combines academics with the Quran memorization and understanding in a unique way. Results so far are outstanding. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), which is the southern branch of Advanc-Ed. Advanc-Ed is the most prestigious accreditation organization in the United States and in the World.

It is the same organization that accredited the University of Houston, Rice University, and other universities and colleges. All schools accredited by Advanc-Ed are well recognized by the Department of Education of the United States. All courses and credits are accepted and recognized in any school in the United States. With that in mind, let us look into the academic part first and then into the Quran memorization after that.

Academic Performance

In general, the academic performance is measured through three means, the school’s own academic monitoring system, the state tests, and the national (federal) tests. Since the school tests may be biased, the focus should be more on the state and federal tests in order to be objective. The state test in Texas is called STAAR. It is a content-driven test that measures the student’s ability to master the curriculum offered through the Texas public-school system. The federal or national test we are using at our school as well as many other schools in the nation is the IOWA test, which measures the skills students develop over a period of time.
. It is not content or curriculum-driven; it focuses more on measuring the development of academic skills, especially the criticalthinking skills. The IOWA test results place each student who takes the test in a certain percentile rank, which compares the student’s score to that of other students in the nation. Thus, if the overall student’s score is the 90th percentile, it means that he or she is in the lower end of the top 10 percentiles in the nation.
The test results also give each school the average score for each grade level in different areas such as math, English, reading and other areas. The average for the entire grade levels in the elementary and middle school can give the school a good indicator of where the school stands. If a school’s average score is in the 50th percentile, then the school is average. The higher the average score, the better the school is. Normally, good schools achieve scores that are in the 70th percentile and above.
Most schools fall between the 50th percentile and the 65th percentile. Good schools with strong academic programs manage to achieve scores that are higher than the 80th percentile. Alhamdulillah, with Allah’s help and the dedication and hard work of our teachers, administration, parents, and board, our average score for the whole school was the 87th percentile in 2012, and 87.3 percentile in 2013, which is a blessing from Allah. These averages place our school in the top 2.7 percentiles in the nation, alhamdulillah. Congratulations to all parents and members of our school community.
I pray to Allah to help us continue this trend inshaa Allah. These outstanding results show how hard and smart our teachers and students work to produce such high academic achievements . We want you as a parent to rest assured that HQA provides your child with the best education in the nation inshaa Allah.
Our experienced teachers combine the trust in Allah and the blessings of the Quran with hard and professional work to produce the best results, Alhamdulillah. In spring 2014, we started to use the SAT and ACT tests for high school. Normally these tests are given to students at the end of 11th grade to determine their readiness for college work. By that time, students would have finished all the necessary courses for this test such as algebra II, geometry, biology, and similar courses. That is why it is recommended for 11th grade and up. However, on a pilot program, we gave the ACT test to our students in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade to see how they perform in this college readiness test. Normally, a score above ranging from 21 to 23 would be satisfactory, a score from 24 to 26 would be recommended, and a score above 26 is considered relatively high.
HQA students’ scores ranged from 23 to 32 with an average of 28.1, which is really high. Surprisingly, some of the students in 9th grade scored at or above 31. This is very unique considering the fact that they have not taken math courses necessary for this test as described above. The Islamic school in Tulsa, Peace Academy, is ranked number one among private schools in Tulsa with an average score of 25.4. DeBakey High School here in Houston, which is a magnet school with an excellent reputation, has an average ACT score of 27.1 according to their webpage.
Katy School District average score was 23.5 compared to the State of Texas average of 20.5 in 2012. In addition, comparing HQA average score to the top schools in the nation would rank HQA as one of the top five schools in the nation in the ACT score. However, three points should be considered here. First, HQA could be higher if it would be given to students in 11th grade. Second, the HQA sample size is very small compared to other schools.
Hence, the results biased and the reliability of the results is not strong. However, we pray to Allah to enable us to continue our success. Third, most of our students in high school will be finishing the whole Quran with full understanding; some of them already did. In fact one of those who 3 scored 32 already finished the memorization and understanding of the Quran. Alhamdulillah, we owe our success to the Barakah of the Quran.

The Holy-Quran-Memorization Program

At HQA, we try our best to bring a comprehensive memorization program that is not limited to just mere and blind memorization; our program is much deeper than that. It plays an integral part in the preparation of our students to be the future scholars and leaders of Islam in this country. Here is a description of what makes HQA Quran Memorization Program unique and different from other memorization programs.

1. HQA puts a strong emphasis and focus on understanding in all the domains

HQA puts a strong emphasis and focus on understanding in all the domains of its curriculum. Hence, a solid understanding of the Holy Quran is a must for this task. Each student is tested daily on the meaning of what he or she is going to memorize before he or she is tested on memorization. This step also strengthens and enhances the process of memorization. This guarantees that the understanding is achieved before the memorization starts. Once the student finishes understanding the meaning of the Surah and memorizing it, he or she is required to look deeply into the Surah and analyze it to find out the main lessons that the Surah is teaching. For example, the lesson in Surat Ashams is as clear as the sun as the name of the Surah indicates. Analyzing the Surah shows that it has the Qasam, the Answer to the Qasam, and an example. The Qasam is by the sun and the other things Allah swears by in the Surah. The answer to this Qasam is the verse that says دساها من خاب وقد زكاها من أفلح قد ,which means successful indeed is the one who elevates himself or herself and unsuccessful indeed is the one who does not. The rest of the Surah is an example about Thamoud and how they failed to do so. Once the student does this analysis to find the lesson or lessons of the Surah, he or she is asked about how he or she would implement these lessons in his or her personal life, which is the practice of the lessons of the Surah. This in turn will affect positively the personality of the child.

2. A strong emphasis is placed on the correct pronunciation of each letter

A strong emphasis is placed on the correct pronunciation of each letter and each word of the Quran, i.e., on phonics (الحروف مخارج .(A good number of Muslims who read and memorize the Holy Quran have words and verses pronounced incorrectly because they were not corrected the first time they learned it; and in some cases, they inherited the problem from their teachers. At HQA, we assure parents that their children will not have this problem.

3. A strong emphasis is also placed on the correct rules of Tajweed

A strong emphasis is also placed on the correct rules of Tajweed. Students at HQA take daily classes on Tajweed by our expert, Dr. Main Alqudah. They are taught the rules and are required to learn the name of each rule in a classical way that guarantees that they 4 are able to teach it to others in a professional way. A formal textbook on Tajweed is also used for this purpose.

4. Students in 4th grade and up are taught the Arabic grammar

Students in 4th grade and up are taught the Arabic grammar in such a way that supports and enhances their understanding and memorization of the Holy Quran. For example, they will be able to understand why a certain vowel (Fatha or Damma or Kasra) is put on a certain word. Understanding and learning the Arabic grammar that enables them to do so is emphasized at HQA. Students gradually pick up the rules, and after a while, they become efficient at it.

5. There is a strong emphasis at HQA on building skills

There is a strong emphasis at HQA on building skills rather than just mere repetition and memorization without understanding and without being able to do the task alone without help from the teacher. This applies to all domains of knowledge whether it is in reading the Quran or in reading a passage in English or solving a math problem. Skills are stressed from the moment a child joins HQA until he or she graduates. For example, students in kindergarten are trained to develop the skills that enable them to become independent readers of the Holy Quran so that by the end of the year and just before they enter first grade, they can read on their own from any place in the Quran. All our students this year (2013-2014) in kindergarten were able to read from any place in the Quran with decent speed relative to their age. In addition, they were able to write Arabic words with the correct vowels. When they enter first grade, the reading and writing skills are enhanced more so that they become totally independent the minute they are in second grade.

6. The focus on building skills helps students become independent learners

The focus on building skills helps students become independent learners who can study and learn on their own with help, coaching and guidance from HQA experienced staff.

7. Hence, each student in 2nd grade and up has his or her own memorization

Hence, each student in 2nd grade and up has his or her own memorization and understanding plan. No two plans are alike. Each child has the plan that suits him or her and is tailored specifically for his or her needs in a way that suits his or her abilities and circumstances. First-grade students who are advanced join the upper grades in their Quran assignments as well.

8. On a daily basis, students get a practical lesson

On a daily basis, students get a practical lesson on building their Islamic personality and their character, either from Dr. Main Alqudah or from Dr. Hamed Ghazali. These lessons help students shape their personality and help them become committed balanced Muslims, knowledgeable scholars, and contributing citizens and community builders.