User:Smahmoud123/sandbox

Intro: Palm Tree School is a private school in Fairfax, Virginia, near Washington DC. While it is an Islamic private school, it serves students of all faiths and religious backgrounds. The school has grades pre-school through 12th grade and has a student body consisting of local and international students. The school was named after the description of a Muslim as a Palm Tree School. Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam drew a similarity between the beneficial palm tree that provides fruit at every season and does not lose its leaves and the Muslim who also benefits those around at every season. The school offers Advance Placement courses for its students and has won statewide academic and scientific competitions.

History: Palm Tree School, a k-12 grade school, opened its door to elementary school students in 2013. Throughout the years, it has increased its facilities to include middle and high school students. It is Fairfax’s only full time Islamic school and Virginia’s only accredited Islamic private school. Palm Tree School is accredited by Accredited by AdvanceED, utilizing the same curriculum as Fairfax County in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Demographics: As of 2018, The Palm Tree School’s student body consists of 14.94% Asian, 34.48% Black or African American, 18.39% Caucasian, 41.38% Middle Eastern, 27.59% non-Caucasian White, and 2.3% other.

Academics: The Palm Tree School utilizes the same curriculum offered by Fairfax County Public Schools, with the addition of geography, Arabic, Quran, and Islamic studies. Students also study keyboarding and computer science beginning from the first grade. Students not following the Muslim faith have the choice of opting out of Islam specific subjects.

Technology Initiative: Palm Tree School offers Dell Notebooks to all its’ Middle and High School students. The program offers every student with their own personal computer as well as campus wide wireless internet access. The school also has a one to one iPad to student ratio in all its elementary and pre-k classes, with each student having their own personal iPad for in school use, also equipped with wireless internet access. The internet access for all students is restricted and blocks entertainment sites and other sites that can be a distraction to students. Computer literacy classes are taught to all students beginning in first grade up to 12th grade. Elementary school students are taught basic computer skills such as typing and using Microsoft office suits. Middle and High School students take additional computer science courses that cover languages such as Python and Java.

Extra-curricular activities: The Palm Tree School offers student clubs for various academic subjects. Each year, school wide geography, spelling, and Arabic bees are held. Students also participate in a yearly science fair. Palm Tree Students have won First Place across the State of Virginia in the eCybermission STEM Competition as well as  Honorable Mention Award (3rd Place) in the 2017 ExploraVision competition.