November 7, 2023

Congratulations to Rising Star Academy for achieving Middle States Association (MSA) re-accreditation with no stipulation. In an oral report issued by the MSA evaluation team, who spent October 30th - November 2nd on site evaluating our school, RSA is officially recommended for re-accreditation. 

After reviewing hundreds of documents, interviewing multiple groups of students, staff, faculty, parents, board members and administrators, the Middle States evaluation team announced on November 2nd that Rising Star Academy met all of the Middle States Standards established for accreditation using the Excellence By Design Model . Takbeer! The oral report was presented to school faculty, parents and students by the MSA team chair David Mullen and MSA Team members, Ms. Natasha Grant and Mr. Michael Johnson ( Mrs. Shireen Hammoudeh from Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy in Philadelphia was not present due to commute) who acknowledged in their remarks that Rising Star Academy is moving forward in a strong direction of academic excellence.

RSA's tradition and legacy of excellence in education was highlighted in all areas including mission, leadership, faculty, climate, curriculum, organization, and most importantly, student services and life, and resulted in the stellar findings outlined in the report. Islamic faith was the highlight of the report as it was embedded in all aspects of RSA's daily operation, mission & vision, core values and profile of gradutes.

RSA's planning team led by our internal coordinators Sr. Fadia Darwish and Sr. Tamam Musabeh spent the past two years preparing for the self study and site visit. They are commended for their dedication and meticulous hard work!

Congratulations to RSA board, administration, faculty, parents and students on this outstanding achievement. Alhamdulilah!

Testimonies from the MSA visiting team:

 "In Chapter al-Baqarah of the Qur’an we learn  “Whoever is granted wisdom has indeed been granted abundant wealth.” In choosing the Middle States Excellence By Design Protocol, you have opted to better understand yourselves.  Our Team commends you for choosing this difficult, less cut and dry, but more reflective and student-centered process. This was a courageous step.

In doing so, you made several commitments.

You reconfirmed your mission with an emphasis on the academic potential and Muslim faith of every student.

You committed to achieving improved student performance within that stated mission.

You committed to building your institutional capacity help students thrive within your mission,

You committed to including a broad-based representation and participation of community stakeholders in achieving these goals and furthering your mission.

You committed to a process of continuing evaluation of your progress.

You committed to participating in this peer review and validation process by opening up your dreams, visions, plans, and process to outside scrutiny.

We found Rising Star Academy to be a unique and precious faith-based community, providing a safe and supportive academic environment during a difficult time for young people of faith, helping them to gain confidence both as students and as human beings, and helping them move on to the next stage in their lives. Rising Star is more than a place, it is a culture where every student feels respected, valued, and supported.

...Mr. Dave Mullen, MSA Chair, Head of School

"Faith is not the only key component of your identity. The devotion of faculty, staff, and parents as seen through sibling enrollment is evidence of the strong commitment to the community and mission of the school and to the work that all of you do here."

..Ms Natasha Grant, Middle School Science Teacher, Cornerstone Christian Academy

"I am so honored to be able to be part of the accreditation team. You have a beautiful school with an amazing staff and an outstanding principal. I am really happy that I was able to come and visit. 

In-Shaa-Allah, many more successes and happiness for you and your school. 

May Allah swt protect our Ummah and make it successful and victorious always."

...Mrs. Shireen Hammoudeh, Principal, Al-Aqsa Islamic Academy, Philadelphia