FAQs

The University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) require entering freshmen to complete certain courses in high school. These courses are called the “A-G” courses because of the letter each subject area is assigned: “A” is for History/Social Science, “B” is for English, and so on. To receive “A-G” credit, a high school course must be certified through the UC course approval process. Here is the list of “A-G”, with the number of years required in each subject. UC recommends additional years in some areas as indicated.

• A. History/Social Science (2 year)
• B. English (4 year)
• C. Mathematics (3 years, UC recommends 4)
• D. Laboratory Science (2 years, UC recommends 3)
• E. Language Other than English (2 years, UC recommends 3)
• F. Visual/Performing Arts (1 year)
• G. College Preparatory Elective (1 year)

We prefer that students apply in the freshmen year in order to maximize potential through experiencing the full 4-year program. However, applications for students to enroll in their junior or senior year are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Yes! Students graduating from Averroes High School apply and attend four-year universities every year. Admission to university is at the discretion of the university and depends on many factors such as a student’s grades, extracurricular activities (ie: work, volunteer, community service, sports, etc.), application essays, and standardized test (SAT/ACT) scores. We work closely with students in all three areas to help them match their interests with a program, university, work experience, or other path.

100% of Averroes graduates have attended college. Examples of four-year universities Averroes graduates have been accepted to include: UC Berkeley, Cornell, UC Davis, UCLA, Purdue, NYU, Santa Clara, SF State, SJ State, San Diego State, Missouri Science & Technology, Florida Memorial University, and Zaytuna College.

Classes will be offered in Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Science, Physical Education, Fine Arts, Arabic, Theology, and Quran, in addition to college classes at local community colleges. Please visit the Academics page for more details.

All students are provided academic support as needed. In addition, students are taught and mentored in time management, stress relief, test taking skills, college and career readiness, and individualized topics according to their need. We have an on-site counselor and a social-emotional learning expert to address students’ emotional and social needs individually and in groups.

Yes! We currently offer AP Calculus (AB) and will be adding additional options in the future. Previously offered AP classes include . As part of our proven college-prep approach, all Averroes upperclassmen also take classes at local community colleges including Ohlone, Mission, DeAnza, and others. This approach allows Averroes students to graduate with 20-50 college credits accumulated, but also gives them first-hand experience navigating the expectations and demands of college while still having the close support and supervision of their Averroes teachers and advisors.

Yes! We offer scholarships and financial aid based on need. Please visit our Financial Aid section for more information.

Students are placed in internships in their junior and senior years to give them an opportunity to experience the kind of work they would like to explore in their futures. Through internships, they learn what the career of their interest is really like day-to-day, and what they need to do to prepare for it. They gain the invaluable chance to meet and connect with mentors working in their field, which can result in great recommendation letters, guidance from an “insider” perspective, and a life-long advisor. We mentor students throughout their experience to help them develop a positive work ethic, professional skills and character to prepare them for success in the real world. Students are given the option of using the money they earn during internships to offset tuition payments.

Yes, Averroes conducts several assessments to ensure each student is prepared both academically and socially for the demands of college classes. There is also a written examination required by the college. These prerequisites ensure that no student is placed in a situation for which they are unprepared.

Most courses will transfer to a four-year university. Students are encouraged to consult an advisor in the future university of their choice to ensure the credits they select will transfer.

We encourage a high level of parental involvement at Averroes. Positive parental involvement is the backbone of successful education. Parents are required to volunteer a minimum of 4-6 hours a month.

Averroes High School is partnering up with HopSkipDrive to provide transportation services for the upcoming school year. Below are important details from the transportation services:

*Assuming 3/car

Deadline to sign up: August 24, 2021

If you have any more questions or are interested in these services, download the info sheet and details about HopSkipDrive company and please CONTACT ADMIN@averroesinstitute.com

The tuition for the current school year is $13,750/yr with additional fees for registration and travel. Scholarships and financial aid are available under certain conditions. For further information, please visit our financial aid and scholarship section.

No. Only students in public high schools must take this exam in order to graduate. Private school students are not required to take this exam.

Along with grades and coursework, colleges consider SAT or ACT scores, or both. At the appropriate times, students are encouraged to take the PSAT, SAT and/or ACT, and are advised on how to prepare for the exams.

Yes. Service learning (khidma) is an essential component of students’ learning experience. Service is a critical element of college applications and how we put our faith into action. It develops students’ empathy for and awareness of the challenges facing today’s world, how those challenges relate to us, and our roles and responsibilities as Muslims.

Community service is integrated into the Averroes curriculum through literature, projects and reflection sessions. Students’ experiences in Islamic charity, youth outreach, assisting the elderly, aiding the ill, etc. are explored through discussion, and linked to what they learn in their academic subjects. Student reflection forms and agency/supervisor evaluation forms are completed once a student fulfills a set of service hours, and are added to their file.

Because one of the most fundamental components to our program is individualized care and attention, Averroes maintains a small student body. Students are able to tailor their classes and choose college electives to suit their path. We have students who are following a STEM track and others who are pursuing liberal arts. We also offer a variety of clubs and programs, including Student Council, Media Club, The Tech Challenge, and more. Single gender activities allow students to focus comfortably on their issues of interest. Group discussion circles, individual and group counseling sessions, and individual learning plans based on student needs all contribute to our strong focus on the individualized social-emotional aspect of each student’s wellbeing.

Yes! We offer advanced classes in Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, with labs and AP options, and the full range of math classes from Algebra I through Calculus B and Statistics from Averroes teachers with advanced degrees and experience in their fields. We offer labs for all of our sciences, and we support students who are interested in pursuing advanced sciences and math at the college level. Averroes students use technology in the classroom daily, and they participate in the Tech Challenge, and the Google Science Fair. Averroes alumni offer internships and mentoring in Computer Science. Some Averroes students take college classes in programming and secure apprenticeships in tech.

There are no phones in the classroom at Averroes. Students are required to hand in their smartphones at the beginning of the day and pick them up at the end of the day. Parents are educated on the appropriate use of technology for student performance.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/17YAd0gyDX2lqd-ZJwCTMuTE0o0RW0-6m/view?usp=sharing

Donations to AHS are zakat eligible, sadaqah jariyah and tax-deductible. Donations to Averroes are used to cover:

• The gap between tuition fees and the costs of educating a student (the gap is currently about $15,000 per student)
• Scholarships for over 60% of our students. Donations to the Annual Fund ensure that families who cannot afford tuition are not excluded from having an excellent Islamic education that prepares them for college and for life.
• Community service programs and internships.
• AHS Falcons competitive sports programs and student clubs.
• Maintaining a 5:1 student to teacher ratio, which guarantees personal attention to each student.
• In-house college counseling, and psychological support services.

Breakdown of tuition and costs of AHS education, scholarships given, etc. (Heba: this needs to be updated after some Board decisions, so when you are close to the time of launching the site, I can add this info in if available or we can take it out.)

Fundraising Goals (Heba: This needs to be updated with our latest thermometer graphic). 

The cost of educating one student is $26,000. Our annual fundraising goals depend on the amount of tuition AHS collects each year, and the financial aid and scholarships needed. Annual fundraising covers:

• Financial aid for over 60% of our students. 
• Community service programs and internships.
• AHS Falcons competitive sports programs and student clubs.
• Maintaining a 5:1 student to teacher ratio, which guarantees personal attention to each student.
• In-house college counseling, and psychological support services.
• Teacher training and support
• Equipment, rent, school supplies, books, IT

Averroes teachers have advanced degrees – 2 have PhDs in their field – and experience. The student-teacher ratio is 5:1, so each student receives individualized attention from each teacher. Our teachers develop their curriculum in-house, using the highest standards and latest research. Each course is rooted in an Islamic perspective. Success is defined not only by academic achievement, but by the sunnah and building a deeper connection to our deen.

AHS is returning to in person instruction starting Fall 2022. We have broadened our partnership with Ohlone College (where many AHS students attend college classes) to include a new home for AHS on their campus. We invite you to come visit us starting in August 2021.

Averroes operated from our old location for a decade. During COVID, we gave up our location and the majority of 2020-21 instruction was online, like all Bay Area schools.

AHS gives more individual attention for each student, customized curriculum, better teachers, Islamic environment, care for the whole child, and significantly lower tuition.

EXAMPLES OF AHS’S IMPACT ON STUDENTS:

• College acceptance: The unique AHS approach has been proven by securing alumni places in elite colleges, including Cornell University, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCLA, Purdue University, NYU, Santa Clara University, Missouri S&T, and Zaytuna College.
• Leadership skills: AHS’s focus on students as whole people, personal growth, identity, social and emotional skills, self-esteem, leadership, restorative conflict resolution, and social justice develops a future generation of engaged and dynamic leaders. Omar Din, who is running for City Council in Sunnyvale, credited AHS for inspiring him (https://www.facebook.com/Omar-for-Sunnyvale-109970917451396).
• College and career readiness: “My AHS students are able to navigate the college environment and expectations independently. Students in the elite private school I taught at before lacked the ability to manage interactions at this level.” While at AHS, students gain hands-on experience taking college courses and intern in local companies and nonprofits.
• Life-long mentorship: “My son graduated four years ago but still asks his AHS teachers for advice.” Students receive individual attention, which helps them overcome their unique challenges and results in recommendation letters, networking connections, helping with college classes and concepts, and life advice. 
• Access to expertise: Out of eight teachers, two have PhDs, two have Masters degrees, and collectively they represent over 6 decades of teaching experience.

IMPACT ON THE BAY AREA AND BEYOND:

• Students’ engagement with community service projects throughout their time in high school contributes to making an early positive impact. Students have volunteered at CAIR, Tawasaw, Taleef, Kaiser and others.
• Students graduate ready to apply their skills and understanding gained from hands-on experience outside of the high school classroom (community college classes, community service projects, experiential learning and travel).
• Social justice focus produces a generation of youth aware of the needs of their communities and encouraged and empowered to confront them. 
• In the long term, we hope to share our model so it can benefit youth worldwide.

EXAMPLES OF AHS’S COMMUNITY IMPACT:

• While in high school, AHS students have volunteered at: Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Zaytuna College, Our Three Winners, Tawasaw, Islamic Networks Group (ING), American Muslim Community Foundation (AMCF), and others.
• After high school, AHS students have started companies, run for public office, and made countless other contributions.