Islamic schools are becoming more and more common outside of the Muslim world. These private schools can typically enroll students from kindergarten through the end of middle school, and many also offer preschool and high school grades. However, they remain limited to large cities or areas that have a large Muslim community, leaving Muslim families living elsewhere without any reliable Islamic education options outside of the home.

Or, should we say, that was the case until Islamic education started making its way to the virtual realm! Online Islamic schools and institutes are now blossoming masha'Allah, filling the gap for the many families who do not have the opportunity to send their children to a physical Islamic school or even Sunday school at their local mosque or Islamic center - provided they even have one nearby.

What exactly are online Islamic schools offering? Are they beneficial for kids? And what should you expect? Read on to find out!

What Is An Online Islamic School?

A virtual Islamic school, or online Islamic school for kids, is a set of virtual Islamic lessons for kids that specifically focus on topics and subjects related to Islam, typically Arabic, Quran and Islamic Studies. They can also be offered in intensive formats and are specifically designed for Muslim children and teens who may attend these classes from the comfort of their own home or anywhere else with a reliable Internet connection.

Teachers interact remotely with their online students and adhere to a set curriculum. To work effectively with the students, they must be able to use the software that has been chosen for the school. All teachers at an online Islamic school should be proficient in Arabic and have completed Quranic studies at the very least.

How Do Online Islamic Schools Work?

Given their techniques, online schools operate in a somewhat different manner than traditional schools. Before enrolling your children in an online school, it is important that you acquaint them and yourself with the dynamics of the online school. This will make for an easier start, process and/or transition if your children have been in a traditional, in-person Islamic school or institute.

Some online schools have a beginning and finish date with a specific schedule that your child would have to follow. Other online Islamic schools, on the other hand, provide specialized lessons that may be completed in as little as an hour every day on a schedule that you choose with your child, and progress will go at your child's pace. Various online schools might also offer group or private classes, or even a mix of both.

Lessons and Assignments

Some online Islamic schools offer programs taught through recordings so that students can watch and take notes, and others offer live classes with a teacher (either one-on-one or in a group with other students) so that students can benefit from the interaction with the teacher (and peers), ask questions and receive feedback. Some even offer a mix of both formats where classes are offered live but recordings are made available to review later on or for those who might miss a class occasionally.

If your child is enrolled in a full-time online school, they are usually expected to spend many hours each day in front of a computer. Islamic classes for kids often consist of video lectures and short tests appropriate for their age and level.

Before the instructor can go on with the course, children are usually asked to pass a quiz, exam or assessment first to ensure their mastery and understanding of the materials covered and their readiness for a new unit or chapter.

Learning online in an Islamic school does not always imply that your child will not collaborate with other students. Some classes may involve group interaction for assignments and quizzes in order for students to learn how to work in a team and communicate more effectively.

Your Role as a Parent

You, too, play a role as a parent or caregiver. Your child's ultimate learning coach is you. You will assist your child's instructor in tracking student attendance, monitoring mastery of online courses and tests, and reviewing the child's progress in a variety of areas and ways.

The coaching can be in the form of helping with assignments of Quran memorization or recitation, ensuring your child keeps up with their Quran recitation, Arabic practice or Islamic lessons before the next session, communicating with the teacher to make sure they are doing fine, and so on.

You can contact the instructor at any time to ask for feedback on your child's progress. This interaction can benefit both you and the instructor in terms of improving your child's learning experience and progress.

Why An Online Islamic School is a Great Option for Children

(and can actually be better than other options!)

1. It's cheaper

Online Islamic schools are not free, but they are much cheaper than traditional schools and centers. They are even cheaper than most Islamic institutions that provide Arabic, Quran and/or Islamic Studies classes for children.

You get to save the money used in the commute to and from the Islamic institutions where your child used to take classes. You also save the money spent on learning materials since all of the online Islamic school materials are provided online for free.

2. It saves time

Because Islamic schools or centers are not present everywhere, the commute from your home could be long and tiring, both for you and your child. Things that take too long or wear them out frequently tend to irritate children, making the commute and even the experience with the Islamic institution difficult. That is why choosing online lessons can be a great option for them. It also saves them time and effort in commuting to and from the traditional Islamic school. They'll have more time to experiment with new interests and have fun.

Saving time is also beneficial for you, whether you have a full-time job, need to take care of elderly parents, are pursuing studies, or would just benefit from a more convenient and flexible option for your child's Islamic education. A long commute can easily add stress to any of these challenging situations, on top of parenting. Finding a reliable, online Islamic school ensures that you save precious time to spend with your children rather than spending hours hopping between offline courses.

3. It's safer

Whether you are generally concerned about the environment your child could be in or you are worried about the level of safety of their school, the idea of your child learning within sight from the comfort of your home is priceless.

You don't have to worry about them getting into any type of danger as long as they learn at home - provided you keep an eye on the device they use as it is connected to the Internet - with credible and professional tutors.

4. It offers a variety of topics to choose from

With online Islamic schools, your child gets to learn a variety of topics. All Islamic schools work so hard on improving Arabic, Quran and Islamic Studies classes for kids and teens in order to offer a good environment for Islamic learning that suits all ages and levels.

Your child will get to learn the Arabic language, Tajweed, Tafsir, Quran recitation, Quran memorization, and Islamic studies in a way that suits their age, level but also needs and learning goals.

5. It offers real-time assessment for your children

Online Islamic schools provide an ongoing, real-time assessment of their students' development. The teacher can tailor the learning experience, for example, adjusting the number or type of sessions based on your child's proficiency, and provide feedback on progress.

6. Your child gets to learn from credible sources

Learning the Arabic language, the mastery of the Quran as well as the fundamentals of Islamic studies requires someone who is knowledgeable, credible and trusted. Selecting the right teachers is key to ensuring that your child grows up understanding concepts in their right context and avoiding misinterpretations and misconceptions, which will also ease their application.

With Studio Arabiya, your children get to learn from professional Arabic, Quran and Islamic Studies tutors who have graduated from well-known Islamic universities such as Al-Azhar University in Egypt, and have the qualifications and experience needed to teach and interact with young minds.

7. Your child gets to learn at their own pace

When children are learning a new topic or want more practice time, especially when studying Arabic or the Quran for the first time, they tend to slow down, and they may speed up when they are comfortable with or have mastered a topic.

Several elements of the Quran particularly should be treated with caution and may require a slower learning pace. You won't have to worry about it if you enroll your child in a professional Islamic school online, especially if you go for one-on-one classes. Teachers will modify the pace to best suit your child's learning and needs.

If you are looking for one institute that can guarantee all that, look no further than Studio Arabiya! With us, your child gets to learn with some of the most professional, credible, well-trained, and caring Arabic, Quran and Islamic Studies instructors you can find online. We are launching our brand new Online Islamic K-12 Program this fall, CLICK HERE to learn more and apply!