Mission Viejo, CA (June 18, 2011) – Al Ridah Academy, a private Islamic school serving South Orange County residents since 1999, announced today that it has officially changed its name to “Pillars Academy.”   The name change was prompted as part of the school board’s strategic planning efforts to further develop the school’s core academic and Islamic education programs and serve a broader base of children, including the addition of a toddler program and expansion of the elementary school to include fifth and sixth grade.

The name change announcement was marked with a special barbeque event held at the school where staff, current and future students, their families and various community members celebrated with lunch, carnival games and activities, including face painting, henna, a bounce house and rock climbing wall, among others.

Pillars Academy has succeeded over its past 12 years of operation to build a reputation of having a friendly and caring environment that provides education with a low teacher to student ratio. All teachers are credentialed, and the school is the only full-time private Islamic school in Orange County accredited nationally for its quality of education by both the WASC and NAEYC. Recent accomplishments have included:

• Its students have scored in the 90th percentile on the SAT 10 (Stanford Achievement Test Series) compared to other schools nationally.
• Over 80 percent of Pillars Academy students read and comprehend text at one or more levels beyond their current grade, based on reading assessments.
• By 4th grade the majority of its students understand and have the 30th part of the Quran memorized.

About Pillars Academy:
Located in Mission Viejo, California adjacent to the Orange County Islamic Foundation (OCIF) mosque, Pillars Academy is a private Islamic school that provides a holistic approach to education. The school addresses the spiritual, academic, social, and emotional needs of a child from toddler to sixth grade. Its curriculum stresses excellence in core academic subjects and in Islamic studies taught by caring and qualified teachers. Pillars Academy students belong to a community of faith, including parents and teachers that reinforce their identity as Muslims. Students are encouraged to be leaders and to strive to improve themselves, their families, their communities, and their environment.

Contact:
Adita Arya
949-951-0442
info@pillarsacademy.org