At a Glance
A tiny Islamic elementary in Jamaica where every child is known by name
Best suited for
Muslim families — especially those seeking Quran memorization and Arabic instruction — who want a small, affordable, faith-centered elementary where their child will be known individually.
What stands out
- A 5.9-to-1 student-teacher ratio is exceptionally low for any school and virtually unheard of in NYC — every child gets close, individualized attention.
- Tuition of $5,200 is roughly a quarter to a tenth of typical NYC private elementary tuition, removing one of the biggest barriers to private school.
- The curriculum centers on Quran recitation, memorization, and understanding alongside Arabic language instruction, giving students a strong foundation in classical Islamic scholarship.
- The school holds dual Islamic accreditations through CISNA and ISLA, signaling adherence to recognized standards for North American Islamic education.
- Rolling admissions mean families don't have to hit a single make-or-break deadline to enroll.
Things to consider
- With only 36 students total across seven grade levels, the peer group is tiny — typically just a handful of children per grade, which limits social breadth and athletic or arts programming.
- The school only goes through fifth grade, so families will face a middle-school transition and the search for a feeder school that shares the same values.
- Parent reviews are mixed (4.11 stars across 19 reviews), with at least one 2020 review citing poor conditions — worth investigating in person.
- The address sits along the Van Wyck Expressway corridor, meaning proximity to highway traffic is part of the daily arrival routine.
- The DOE lists "Church of God" as the religious affiliation, but the school's own materials, programs, and accreditations are unambiguously Islamic — families should confirm the community's fit during a tour.
Identity
Al-Iman is a coed Islamic elementary school (PK through 5th grade) grounded in Quran-centered education, Arabic language instruction, and a philosophy that blends academic preparation with Islamic values of diligence, respect, and harmony. The school carries Islamic-specific accreditation through CISNA and ISLA alongside New York City and State certifications. Founding year is not documented in the available data.
Community
With only 36 students enrolled, the community is intimate by design — most children will know every classmate and likely every teacher. The student body is 77.8% Asian, 11.1% White, 8.3% multiracial, and 2.8% Black, suggesting a substantial South Asian Muslim population alongside other families drawn to the Islamic curriculum. A diversity index of 0.54 reflects a moderately diverse mix within a small enrollment.
Neighborhood
The school sits in Jamaica, Queens, a working-class and immigrant-rich area where the median household income is $61,787, about 16.8% of residents live below the poverty line, and roughly a quarter of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The neighborhood's diversity and modest housing costs make it a practical anchor for families seeking affordable private education with a faith-based focus.
The Jamaica-Van Wyck E train is about a 3-minute walk from the school, and both the Sutphin Blvd F stop and the Sutphin Blvd–Archer Av–JFK Airport E, J, and Z stop are within an 8-minute walk, making subway commuting reasonable from much of Queens and Manhattan.
Notable Programs
What Parents Are Saying
Mixed reviews rate the school 4.11 out of 5 stars from 19 reviews - positive reviews praise wonderful qualified teachers, good parent communication, and many extracurricular activities; one negative 2020 review cited poor conditions and teaching quality issues
Synthesized from public parent reviews · Apr 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is AL-IMAN SCHOOL a good school?
- Published quality ratings aren't available for AL-IMAN SCHOOL yet on Motley. It's a private school serving grades Pre-K to 5 in Jamaica.
- What grades does AL-IMAN SCHOOL serve?
- AL-IMAN SCHOOL serves grades Pre-K to 5.
- How do students get into AL-IMAN SCHOOL?
- AL-IMAN SCHOOL runs its own private admissions process — typically an application, a visit, and sometimes testing.
- Is AL-IMAN SCHOOL public, charter, or private?
- AL-IMAN SCHOOL is a private school.
- What neighborhood is AL-IMAN SCHOOL in?
- AL-IMAN SCHOOL is in Jamaica, Queens.