Islamic School of Columbia

By ANNE SHIFLEY
news@ColumbiaMissourian.com
COLUMBIA — With fewer than seven students in each grade from kindergarten through fifth, Zuhnia Kozbar, a science teacher for first, second and fourth grades at the Islamic School of Columbia said the tight-knit atmosphere at the school is one of its proudest characteristics.

“It’s all peace and friendship. (The school) is like a home: we are a big family. It is so comfortable to be here," Kozbar said. "And classes are so small that it’s basically one-on-one tutoring; we have time for every student.”

Students from the pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade school come from all over the world, speak many languages and come from many backgrounds.

“We’re a melting pot here,” Principal Lina Abdul-Wahid said. “We have students from everywhere — India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Niger, Libya, Morocco, so many more.”

The diversity and small size of the student body allow for more flexible education, Abdul-Wahid said. Students might enjoy singing, Arabic, Spanish or volleyball. Annual events include Science Night, Islamic Night and Arabic Night, when students perform plays and songs in Arabic.

The small student body allows teachers and students make use of nearby parks such as Peace Park and Flat Branch Park for outdoor activities, and the close proximity of the mosque allows for prayer at the worship center with parents during the day. However, plans to build a new facility with a gymnasium and playground are being reviewed.

The Islamic School of Columbia was founded in 1998 by a small group of women seeking to teach typical academic curriculum paired with Islamic studies.