Sailing Stones & Sabr

Your Zakah donation to this fund will be used to subsidize tuition for families that are considered Zakah-eligible, and will not be used for any other purpose. Your Sadaqah donation to this fund will provide support to families who may not meet the specific requirements for Zakah, yet still experience financial challenges in covering tuition fees and other school-related expenses.

Donate to the Zakah Fund

Donate to the Sadaqah Fund

Al Fatih Academy is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization, all donations are tax deductible. Tax receipts will be provided to all donors

AFA 7th Grader Selected for National Writing Contest!

One of our talented 7th grade students, Zareena R., has been selected to be featured in the Young Writers Fight or Flight writing contest! She wrote a gripping 100-word dystopian fiction story about a girl caught in the middle of a war, forced to choose between joining the king or siding with the rebels.

Young Writers USA hosts national writing contests that encourage students to turn imagination into confidence and creativity into strong writing skills. Her story impressed the judges so much that they’ve requested permission to publish it in their upcoming anthology, Fight or Flight – Into the Unknown. We’re so proud of her achievement! Ma sha ‘Allāh!

Musalla Moments

Muezzin for the Week:

Thank you Yusuf (5G) for making a beautiful adhan this week.

Monday Quran Recitation

Muqria Nuha from 6th grade recited from Sūrat al-Mudaththir. One of the verses she recited is translated as “every soul will be accountable for their deeds.” Ustadh Ismail reminded students that Allah records all of our deeds, and there are angels who write down those deeds. We should be mindful of what we do, and Ramadan helps us to slow down enough to become cognizant of our actions.

Tuesday Teacher Telling

We had a special guest, Ustadh Omar Popal, from Tanwir Institute. He reminded students that patience/perseverance is of two types: patience in not doing something (for example, fasting includes being patient by not eating until Maghrib), and patience in doing something good. He shared his story of being a new student at Dar al-Mustafa in Yemen. He would sit for hours day after day for 3 months in classes being taught only in Arabic, even though he didn't know any Arabic! He would record the classes and go home at night to listen again to the class. He had to stay patient, not give up, and continue studying. Eventually, after 3 months, one day, the Arabic clicked! Fun fact: he is the brother of Ms. Fatima!

Wednesday Wonders

Ms. Batul shared a story of a pair of geologists who were interested in the phenomenon of “sailing stones” or “moving rocks” that were observed at Death Valley’s Racetrack playa. The scientists had a thirst for knowledge, and they had to exhibit extreme levels of perseverance to wait and observe how massive rocks were mysteriously moved across the playa. Eventually, they discovered the rock movements were caused by thin sheets of ice formed during winter, which are then moved by light winds, pushing the rocks across the slick mud. Their perseverance to study this phenomenon paid off!

Thursday Throwback

Ustadha Roua shared some reflections she had on the qualities of ‘Ibād al-Raḥmān found in Sūrat al-Furqān. She highlighted the importance of three qualities: “The believers 1) walk gently on the earth, 2) when people ignorantly speak to them they respond with peace! and 3) when they come across falsehood they pass by with dignity.” These are all essential qualities that each of us can work on in the month of Ramadan. If we reflect on their meaning and think about each of our actions before we do them, we will embody these qualities that Allah uses to describe His believers.

Jumu'ah Khutba

Continuing with our middle school khateebs during Ramadan, our khutbah was delivered by Mustafa from 8th grade. He spoke about the importance of fasting, and related how some of the companions of the Prophet ﷺ would focus their Ramadan on the recitation and reflection of the Quran. May Allah reward him for his efforts and courage to give a khutbah!

Click here to see the AFA Musalla Manners reminders

Highlights from this week in school!

Students continue to explore new concepts this year. Make sure to ask your AFAer what they learned today!

Take a peek at what we did this week...

View Gallery

SGA Holds Monthly Meeting

This week, the Student Government Association (SGA) at Al Faith Academy held its monthly lunch meeting to discuss student-related concerns and upcoming initiatives. The meeting brought together representatives from each grade level (grade 1 - 8), all committed to making sure student voices are heard and valued.

During the meeting, the SGA team focused on key topics such as planning spring events and gathering feedback from classmates on school-wide activities. Members shared ideas, listened to one another, and worked as a team to find thoughtful solutions that support the well-being of all students.

The SGA encourages students to share their suggestions and concerns through their homeroom representatives or by submitting ideas to the SGA suggestion box in the school lobby. The next meeting will be held next month, and the team looks forward to continuing its work in building a strong, connected school community.

The Stamp Act Hits 4th Grade

It’s that time of year—The American Revolution has arrived at Al Faith Academy! As part of a hands-on history simulation, 4th graders are experiencing what it felt like to live under British rule. Every assignment now requires a stamp, and each one costs 1 pence. No stamp, no grade!

While it’s all part of a lesson, the reactions are very real. Students are feeling frustrated, debating fairness, and even talking about organizing protests and boycotts—just like the real colonists did. One student reported their teacher’s approval rating dropped 5% after the new “law” was announced!

This creative simulation helps students connect with history in a powerful way. By feeling the impact of unfair taxation firsthand, they gain a deeper understanding of the causes of the American Revolution—and why the colonists fought so hard for independence.

6th Grade Takes the Mic - Problem & Solution Presentations

After weeks of hard work, our 6th grade students are stepping up to present their problem & solution projects in English class. From local community issues to global challenges, students researched real-world problems and wrote thoughtful essays offering possible solutions. Now, they’re bringing their findings to life through oral presentations, practicing public speaking and sharing their ideas with classmates. It’s been inspiring to see their creativity, critical thinking, and compassion in action!

First Grade gets 2 Mystery Readers!

First grade has been busy getting ready to welcome two very special mystery guests—parents of their classmates, MS Math Teacher, Ms. Salma and KG Teacher, Ms. Amina! As part of the excitement, students didn’t just try to guess who the guest might be—they also learned how to prepare their classroom and hearts to welcome visitors with kindness and respect.

Through this experience, students practiced how to greet someone warmly, listen politely, and show gratitude. They also discussed what Islam teaches us about hospitality—that guests are a blessing, and treating them with care and kindness is an important part of our faith. The visit was a joyful and meaningful moment, helping our young students grow in both manners and character.

Book Release by Ms. Uzma!

We’re excited to celebrate Hold Me Close, Mama, a beautiful new book written by our very own school counselor, Ms. Uzma Baig! This heartwarming story explores the special bond between mother and child, offering comfort, connection, and gentle reminders of love. Perfect for all mothers in lessons of love and self-care, Hold Me Close, Mama is a touching addition to any home library. We’re so proud of her inspiring work—congratulations on becoming a published author!

General Reminders

Update to Family Portal - Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

Starting January 27th, the Family Portal login screen has been updated in preparation for the upcoming release of Multifactor Authentication (MFA), which is rolling out gradually. FACTS will provide more information and details soon.

Here’s what’s changing:

The login process is divided into two steps. First, you’ll enter our District Code (ALF-VA), then on the next screen you’ll provide your Username and Password.
There is no impact on the ability to log in, and existing credentials will remain the same.