FAQs | RQA Chicago

01

About RQA

What is Rawdat al Quran Academy Chicago?

A full-time school in Willowbrook, established to serve the educational needs of the Dawoodi Bohra community of Chicago. RQA Chicago integrates Hifz al Quran, Deeniyat and academic excellence in a nurturing Islamic environment, rooted in Fatemi values and culture.

The school is an extension of the mahol that is the very foundation of every mumin household — a place where children experience deen and dunya together, and excel in both.

Which idara does RQA fall under?

RQA Chicago follows the Attalimiyah curriculum for Deeni taalim, as Imaani schools do worldwide. The school is run by Anjuman-e-Saifee Chicago, which also subsidizes a significant portion of each student's tuition.

How is RQA different from a traditional school?

In most arrangements, a child attends school for secular subjects and then fits Deeni taalim around it — evenings, weekends, or not at all. At RQA the two are not in competition. Hifz al Quran, Deeniyat and Tarbiyat sit inside the school day alongside a full academic programme, taught by people who share the family's values.

The practical effect is that a child is not asked to choose, and a family is not asked to run two schedules.

Where is the campus?

10S252 Kingery Hwy, Willowbrook, IL 60527.

Families arrange their own drop-off and pick-up. If you would like help finding others near you to carpool with, contact the office and we will connect you.

02

Academics

Which grades are offered, and why not Grade 3?

For 2026–27 we offer Nursery, Pre-K, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 4.

A grade runs once at least five students have registered for it — below that, a class cannot give children the peer group or the range of instruction they need. Grade 3 has not reached five for this year. Families can join the Grade 3 waitlist through the inquiry form, and we will be in touch as soon as it opens.

What curriculum do you follow?

A curriculum that exceeds Illinois State Board of Education and Common Core standards, with an Imani perspective embedded throughout as well as taught in focused periods:

Math in Focus — mastery-based mathematics
UFLI Foundations — structured literacy and English Language Arts
Scholastic News — current events and non-fiction reading
Mystery Science — inquiry-based science

Art, Music and Physical Education run daily as a Specials programme, and field trips extend classroom learning through the year.

What are the teachers' qualifications?

Every classroom is led by an ISBE-certified educator holding Elementary Education credentials — the same professional standard Illinois requires of public school teachers.

What is the class size and student-to-teacher ratio?

No more than ten students to one teacher. Class sizes are deliberately small so that every child receives individual attention, and so that teachers know each student by name, ability and heart.

03

Deeniyat & Hifz

Does my child still need to attend Saturday Madrasah?

No. The full grade-level Madrasah curriculum is covered during the school day through Deeniyat and Hifz al Quran, so Saturdays stay free for family and other interests.

Is there time for Hifz al Quran during the school day?

Yes. Hifz is a scheduled period every morning, at each student's own level and readiness — not something squeezed into evenings and weekends.

How does the after-school Hifz programme work?

Families seeking deeper Quranic memorization may enroll their child in an additional Hifz al Quran period after the regular school day. It is optional and separate from tuition. Speak to the office about availability.

What is Tarbiyat, and how is it taught?

Tarbiyat guides students in embodying the adaab of our community — in how they speak, act and carry themselves. It is taught explicitly and reinforced through the day, alongside Social Emotional Learning that is embedded in both Deeni and Dunyawi instruction: self-awareness, empathy and compassion.

04

School Life

What are the school hours?

Doors open at 8:00 am. The first bell and Tilawat ud Dua are at 8:10 am.

Monday to Thursday the day ends at 3:10 pm; Friday at 1:00 pm. Optional after-school Hifz follows, with dismissal at 4:00 pm Monday to Thursday and 3:00 pm on Friday.

Timings may shift slightly during Shehrullah in line with Zuhr namaz. Any change is announced in advance.

Is lunch provided?

Yes — a catered, child-centered and nutritious lunch every day through Faiz ul Mawaid al Burhaniyah, a beloved institution of our community brought into the heart of the school day. The weekly menu is published on the Parent Resources page.

What is the dress code?

Libas ul Anwar, every day. Boys wear kurta and saya with topi; girls wear jhabla izaar with a scarf or topi.

How does the school communicate with parents?

Through the QuickSchools parent portal: grades and progress in real time, attendance records, direct messaging with teachers and administration, and school announcements. Urgent matters also go out by email.

Does the calendar follow our community's dates?

Yes. The yearly calendar is built around our most important observances — including Ashara Mubaraka and Ramadan al Moazzam — alongside selected public school holidays. Families never have to choose between school and community.

Is transportation available?

Families arrange their own drop-off and pick-up at the Kingery Hwy campus. Contact the office if you would like to be connected with other families near you for carpooling.

05

Admissions & Tuition

What is the admissions process?

Four steps. Submit an inquiry with your child's name and grade — two minutes, and we reply within two working days. Share the most recent report card; younger children have a short, friendly readiness conversation. Meet the team and walk through the school during a school day. Then complete the Illinois health forms, pay the fee, and your child's place is confirmed.

06

Accreditation

In progress Is RQA Chicago accredited?

Not yet. Accreditation in Illinois is under way, and we will publish each milestone here as it is reached.

In the meantime our teachers are ISBE-certified, our curricula are ISBE-compliant, and report cards support a transfer to any school. If accreditation matters to your decision, speak to us directly — we would rather answer your specific question than have you guess.