Despite such differences, the two schools are similar in how they weave together academic and religious instruction. Established in 1991, the same year as Crescent Academy, Al-Ikhlas Academy also aims to give children a standard American education within a religious context. The school's poor funding is readily apparent. Al-Ikhlas Academy lacks accreditation and has some teachers who are not certified. Resources are so scarce that 1st graders are learning to read this winter from photocopies of books.
Students come mostly from poor families.
About half the students are American-born blacks. By contrast, at Crescent Academy, all of the teachers of core subjects are certified and receive regular professional development. It is housed in a new building that is being expanded. Most of Crescent Academy's students are American-born children of highly educated immigrants of the Middle East and South Asia, especially Palestine, Yemen, Iraq, India, and Pakistan. Despite such differ-ences, however, the two schools are similar in how they weave together academic and religious instruction, uphold high standards for discipline, and integrate religious practice into the school day.