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Tarbiyah Academy

United States, Elkridge

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Arabic
Fees $12,945
Ages 5 - 14 years
Pupil numbers 193
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), American Curriculum
Taught languages English, Arabic
Typical class size 20
Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional, Social and Hobbies
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Elementary
Introduction

Tarbiyah Academy is a K–8, non-profit, independent Islamically oriented IB World School in Howard County, Maryland. It offers the IB Primary Years Programme with authorization and is a candidate for the Middle Years Programme, delivering an inquiry-based curriculum in English with Arabic offered as an integral language. Arabic instruction follows ACTFL World Readiness Standards and supports Qur'anic Studies, helping students develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening fluency alongside Islamic Studies. The campus features a prayer area for daily Dhuhr prayers and emphasizes principled leadership and bilingual critical thinking. English is the language of instruction for all subjects, with opportunities to explore additional languages such as French and Urdu. The school fosters translanguaging and multilingualism, promotes student leadership through a Student Government Association, and offers IB experiences like the PYP Exhibition and MYP Community Project, plus a Middle School Talent Show. It serves diverse families on a welcoming, family-friendly campus today.

6785 Business Parkway, Suite 108, Elkridge, MD 21075

The Essentials

Tarbiyah Academy has 193 pupils, typical class sizes of 20, instruction in English, Arabic.

Location
Elkridge, Maryland, United States. Located in Howard County at 6785 Business Parkway, Suite 108, Elkridge, MD 21075. The school serves students in grades K-8.

Stages
Grades K-8

Type
K-8 non-profit, independent, international school

Pupil Nationality Mix
25+ nationalities represented

Additional learning support
Math, Arabic, and Quran support; a school counselor and support staff; Student Intervention Plans; after-school tutoring; access to external services such as Child Find when needed.

Country affiliation
United States

Religious affiliation
Islam
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has a Uniform Policy. No hoodies (except Tarbiyah Tiger Hoodie on PE Days) or hooded jackets; flat, soft-soled, closed-toe shoes are required; sandals, Heelys, high heels, and hard-soled shoes are not allowed. PE Uniform requires a navy Tarbiyah Tiger t-shirt (short or long-sleeve) and black or blue athletic pants with athletic sneakers. For Dhuhur prayer on campus, KG Girls wear hijab to cover hair; 1st–8th Grade Girls may wear either a one-piece long-sleeved prayer dress that covers to the ankle with attached hijab or a long hijab with prayer skirt that covers to the ankle. Dress-down days are allowed with restrictions; clothing should not be offensive; skirts for girls may be worn with shorts and/or tights underneath; closed-toe shoes are required on dress-down days.

Governance and Ownership
The school is a non-profit, independent, international school.
Fees

Annual tuition at Tarbiyah Academy ranges from USD 12,945 for 2026/27.

Annual tuition (2026–2027)

- Kindergarten–8th grade: USD 12,945 per year.
- Academic year billing structure: the school operates on a three‑term academic calendar (Term 1 Aug–Nov; Term 2 Dec–Mar; Term 3 Mar–Jun). Per‑term tuition (annual tuition divided by three): USD 4,315 per term.

Application, admissions and enrollment fees (one‑time annual, non‑refundable where noted)

- Admissions fee: USD 100 (non‑refundable/non‑returnable).
- Enrollment / Re‑enrollment fee: USD 100 (non‑refundable/non‑returnable).

Other mandatory one‑time or annual fees

- Consumables fee: USD 250 (non‑refundable).
- Resources fee: USD 360 (non‑refundable).
- Community & Art Supplies fee: USD 225 (non‑refundable).
- Field Trip fee: USD 300 (non‑refundable). This fee covers the six curricular field trips for the school year regardless of the actual cost of each trip.
- Installment fee (when applicable): USD 50 — assessed when tuition is paid in three installments or more.
- Late payment fee: USD 50 (late‑payment fee is assessed by the school's billing processor).

Tuition discounts and sibling reductions

- Single‑installment discount: 5% discount for tuition paid in one installment (deadline noted on published billing schedule).
- Two‑installment discount: 2% discount when using the two‑installment option (installment due dates are published on the billing schedule). Example installment due dates published for the plan: May 29, 2026 and January 25, 2027.
- Sibling discounts (applied to additional children in the same family): 2nd child 5%; 3rd child 15%; 4th child and subsequent children 20%.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The school posts specific installment due dates and offers multiple payment schedules (annual, two‑installment, and multi‑installment plans). Families selecting multi‑installment plans incur the USD 50 installment processing fee when applicable. Example published installment deadlines for the two‑installment option are May 29, 2026 and January 25, 2027.
- The school uses a tuition‑billing platform that supports flexible paid‑in‑full and installment agreements; late payments are subject to a fee charged through the billing processor.

Fee payment options

- Accepted payment channels include electronic bank account (ACH/e‑check), major credit cards, mailed checks / money orders, and wire transfers via the school's tuition/billing processor. Credit‑card payments may incur a processing/convenience fee through the payment processor.
- Payments and installment plans are managed through the school's billing system; certain service or setup fees related to installment plans are handled by that processor. Late‑payment penalties are assessed by the same processor where applicable.

Boarding fees

- Tarbiyah Academy is a K–8 day school and does not offer boarding; no boarding fees are published.

Uniforms and other parent costs

- Students are required to wear a school uniform; no specific uniform fee is published as part of the standard fee schedule. Families should expect separate, out‑of‑pocket costs for purchasing required uniform items and for optional extracurricular or program‑specific purchases.

Refund information

- The school identifies the following fees as non‑refundable: Admissions fee (USD 100), Enrollment/Re‑enrollment fee (USD 100), Consumables fee (USD 250), Resources fee (USD 360), Community & Art Supplies fee (USD 225), and Field Trip fee (USD 300). These are assessed once a student is admitted and are non‑refundable. Late fees and installment processing fees are charged by the billing processor and are not refundable.

Summary (concise)

- Annual tuition for K–8 (2026–2027): USD 12,945 (USD 4,315 per term on a three‑term academic calendar). Mandatory one‑time and program fees are listed above; many of those are non‑refundable. Payment is handled through the school's billing processor with multiple payment methods available (ACH, credit card, check, wire); credit‑card processing fees and certain processor charges may apply.
Academics

Tarbiyah Academy teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), American Curriculum for students aged 5 to 14.

Curriculum
The school offers an Islamically oriented curriculum within the International Baccalaureate framework. Tarbiyah Academy is a K–8 school in Howard County, Maryland. It is an IB World School authorized for the Primary Years Programme and is a candidate for the Middle Years Programme. Arabic is part of the program; all students in the Primary Years Programme learn Arabic and Arabic instruction aims to develop fluency in reading, writing, speaking and listening, delivered by Arabic-speaking staff. Arabic instruction is built on ACTFL World Readiness Standards and supports Qur'anic Studies through related coursework. The program emphasizes Islamic Studies alongside the IB framework to develop bilingual critical thinkers who are open-minded, confident and caring.

Student Teacher Ratio
1:20
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school provides a nurturing, creative environment and aims to shape productive leaders of society; the vision emphasizes a safe Islamic learning environment where children are treated with love, kindness, and respect.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Inclusion Policy Revised 2024 indicates collaboration with families to address students' additional needs within Tarbiyah Academy's educational program.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school is described as bilingual and provides Arabic instruction; modern standard Arabic proficiency is targeted. The Arabic program notes focus on Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) proficiency.

Mental Wellbeing
The school aims to create a safe, exciting Islamic learning environment, focusing on healthy child development and a caring atmosphere.

Safeguarding
Policy documents include an Inclusion Policy; safeguarding and inclusive practices are addressed through the school's policy framework.
Parent Experience

History
Tarbiyah Academy is the first Islamically oriented International Baccalaureate (IB) school in Maryland, serving grades K–8. It operates as a non-profit, independent IB World School in Howard County, Maryland. Rasha El-Haggan served as the founding Head of School and helped establish Tarbiyah Academy's IB framework and integration of Islamic values into all aspects of student learning. The school's mission is to develop principled leaders and bilingual critical thinkers who are open-minded, confident, and caring.

Community
The Tarbiyah Academy community emphasizes parent involvement as a core principle. Annual events include New Family Orientation, Back to School Night, Mom's Breakfast, Dad's Breakfast, and Anti-Bullying Awareness/Unity Day. Student life features leadership development through the Student Government Association (SGA) and House Meetings, with students leading morning assemblies and presenting at exhibitions. Religious and cultural observances are celebrated on campus, including Eid al-Fitr celebrations, Eid al-Adha schoolwide celebrations, Hajj simulations, and Ramadan-adjusted schedules.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Friends of Tarbiyah Academy (FTA) is the school's official parent group. The FTA By-Laws define its purposes as facilitating bi-directional communication between Tarbiyah Academy and parents and serving as a parent voice in guiding policy, goals, and objectives; providing administration and classroom volunteer support in collaboration with the Events Team; and leading parent-driven projects to support Tarbiyah Academy. Membership is limited to parents or guardians of actively enrolled students, and dues may be collected. The association coordinates with school administration and events teams to organize major events and volunteer efforts.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school is an IB World School authorized for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and a candidate for the Middle Years Programme (MYP). Tarbiyah Academy is the first Islamically oriented IB school in Maryland. The IB framework guides inquiry-based learning and international-mindedness across the curriculum. English is the language of instruction for all subjects, while Arabic is taught as an additional language; English instruction aligns with CCSS and Arabic instruction uses ACTFL standards to develop proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic and Qur'anic understanding.

Cultural & Language
English is the primary language of instruction, with Arabic taught as an additional language to support Quranic understanding and everyday use. Arabic instruction is based on ACTFL standards and aims to develop proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic and Qur'anic Arabic. The school encourages translanguaging and multilingualism, with opportunities to explore additional languages such as French and Urdu (e.g., a French Club and Conversational Urdu). The program also supports mother-tongue maintenance to preserve linguistic and cultural identities while developing multilingual proficiency across English, Arabic, and other languages.

Social & Hobbies
Student leadership and public-speaking are developed through the Student Government Association, with opportunities to assume leadership roles and engage in campaigns. IB-related experiences include the PYP Exhibition and the MYP Community Project, along with events such as the Middle School Talent Show. Students participate in authentic language- and culture-related activities such as Arabic markets and language-based performances.

Community & Service
The Tarbiyah Academy mission emphasizes shaping productive leaders and developing socially responsible, principled learners. As an IB World School, Tarbiyah Academy seeks to cultivate global citizenship and intercultural understanding through its programs. The IB mission emphasizes caring, global citizenship and intercultural understanding as core values.

Leadership & Professional
The school is led by Rasha El-Haggan as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director/Head of Academy, with Hagar Aboubakr serving as Head of School. The leadership team emphasizes professional development and ongoing growth guided by international best practices. The faculty integrates Islamic values with IB pedagogy to support student learning and leadership development.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
There is a designated prayer area on site for daily Dhuhr prayers. The school provides counseling resources and a Counselor's Corner to support student wellbeing. Tarbiyah Academy emphasizes a nurturing, safe environment and healthy development as part of its mission.
Languages

Language Provision
Languages taught include English and Arabic (Modern Standard Arabic and Qur'anic Arabic). English is the lingua franca for all subjects; Arabic is compulsory for the Arabic track and Qur'anic Studies; Arabic instruction uses ACTFL standards. The school supports mother tongue maintenance and aims for biliteracy in English and Arabic.

Bilingual Teaching
The school provides bilingual English-Arabic instruction. English is the language of instruction for all subjects, with Arabic taught as a separate language. Arabic is used in Arabic classes and Qur'anic Studies to support understanding of religious texts, and Modern Standard Arabic is taught to proficiency. The program aims to enable biliteracy in English and Arabic.

Immersion Programs
Arabic instruction is delivered entirely in Arabic across Arabic and Qur'anic Studies. English is the language of instruction for most subjects, creating an immersion environment for English. The policy notes that students develop proficiency in Modern Standard Arabic and Qur'anic Arabic.
Reputation

Awards
null

Accreditations
null
Admissions

Admissions
1. Submit the online application for the 2026-2027 academic year through the Tarbiyah Academy TADS portal and pay the $100 nonrefundable application fee. After submission, TADS sends an email with all required admissions documents. The process notes considerations for KG and 1st Grade ages. Ensure all required forms are completed and submitted via the portal. 2. Families must submit all required documents through TADS and schedule a placement assessment (MAP test) by calling the Admissions Office. The checklist notes that documents may include transcripts, immunization records, and birth certificates. The MAP test assesses placement for the IB program. KG/1st Grade age notes are included in this stage. 3. Families should also call to schedule a whole-day visit for the applying student while school is in session. For families applying during the summer, admissions acceptance will be automatic provisional (probationary) for the first eight weeks. This visit provides firsthand exposure to Tarbiyah Academy's environment and program. 4. Once MAP results and application materials are evaluated by the Office of Admissions, a decision is made on whether the student is a candidate for enrollment. A family interview is then scheduled with representatives from the Office of Admissions and/or the Head of School. The outcome of the interview leads toward enrollment or further steps. 5. Candidate families are scheduled for a family interview with representatives from the Office of Admissions and/or the Head of School. The interview helps confirm fit and discuss next steps. Successful candidates move to the Enrollment phase and must submit remaining documents and fees to complete enrollment. 6. Enrollment is the next phase after the interview; it requires submitting remaining documents and fees to complete the enrollment process. The school aims to finalize the enrollment within about two weeks of a completed application. The enrollment decision is posted to TADS and emailed to parents once all components have been received. 7. New & Returning Enrollment Checklist: The process includes paying the Enrollment Fee ($100), Resource Fee ($360), Consumables Fee ($250), Supplies Fee ($225), and Field Trip Fee ($300); completing media release, technology usage, directory, yearbook, and handbook agreements; and signing the Tuition Agreement. Withdrawal penalties are outlined in the Tuition Agreement (e.g., one-third of tuition if withdrawn before the first day; 50% if withdrawn between day one and October 1; full amount if withdrawn after October 1).

Scholarships
Tarbiyah Academy offers financial aid, determined by a third-party service (TADS) that reviews each family's application, income, family size, and extenuating circumstances. To apply for financial aid, families submit the Financial Aid application and supporting documents (e.g., last federal tax return, utility bills, rent or mortgage information, debt information, and salary stubs). Deadlines for financial aid are February 15 for returning students (decision by March 1) and March 15 for new students (decision by April 12). Applications and documents can be submitted via email to admissions@tarbiyahacademy.org, via fax, or directly to TADS; the school notes that the process can take up to four weeks once all documents are submitted. Tarbiyah Academy is also participating in the BOOST program to broaden options for students.
School Events
The school has not added events
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