American Youth Academy (AYA) is an independent Islamic school in Tampa serving students from PK2 through 12th grade. The institution holds the distinction of being the first Islamic school in Florida authorized to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for students in grades 11 and 12. The secondary curriculum also integrates the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) framework alongside Florida Sunshine State Standards. Specialized academic tracks include Advanced Placement (AP) courses in U.S. and World History, as well as dual enrollment opportunities through local colleges. Beyond core academics, AYA maintains a campus equipped with an athletic center, a decentralized library system, and dedicated spaces for daily prayers and Quranic studies. A signature initiative is the integration of Arabic language and Islamic principles across all grade levels, ensuring students develop spiritual literacy alongside technical skills. The school is known for its "Project-Based Learning" approach in the lower years and its summer STEM programs designed to sharpen inquiry-based thinking.
