The Role of Islamic Schools: Between Muslim Immigrant Families’/Students’ Perceptions and Institutional Realities

The study expands our understanding of the educational role of Islamic schools in the United States. It investigated the types of challenges facing Islamic schools in America and the resulting policies that schools adopt in response to these challenges. To that end, the study interviewed the principals of two Islamic schools located in Illinois to discuss their schools' practices, policies, and challenges. Additionally, we interviewed five Muslim immigrant families and their children who attend these schools to further explore their challenges as well as motivations, benefits derived, and the values they place on these schools. We start by describing the immigration trajectory of Muslims in the United States and the historical establishment of Islamic schools and their status in the United States. We conclude by discussing the role of these schools in the educational development of Muslim students.