Furqaan Academy

  • 630-914-5015 (Ext. 800)
  • Mon - Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
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About us

Principal Welcome

Dear Prospective Students, Parents, and Guardians,

Assalamu Alaikum and welcome to Furqaan Academy for Exceptional Children (FAEC). 

With great enthusiasm and by the grace of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), we proudly announce the opening of the first Islamic special education placement school in America! 

I warmly welcome you to our new school! This year will be filled with opportunities for growth, learning, discovery and deepening our deen. As the principal of FAEC, I am deeply committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every student, regardless of their abilities. We create an environment where our students can thrive and tailored to their Individualized Education Program (IEP). It is a blessing to bring my passion for education to lead this new division at Furqaan Academy. We are excited to be one of the first Islamic public school educational placements in Illinois offering students with unique abilities the opportunity to receive individualized education and therapeutic services in an Islamic environment. 

“What matters most when educating your child/children at  FAEC? 

We will continuously collaborate with our families to support our students in achieving their individual goals. We work alongside various organization including MUHSEN, Illinois Public Schools, and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)  to seek additional resources for our students. Our goal is to help our students and families thrive by providing the necessary support needed to ensure our students make progress and meet their yearly IEP goals. We have a whole child approach and work together with our families to support the community and create an environment for our children to succeed. 

At FAEC we use an evidence-based curriculum that is based on Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) and Science of Reading. This provides exceptional academic goals covering subjects such as ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies which are aligned to standards and allows us to embed each student’s IEP goals into their personalized program. 

We offer Islamically-focused lessons as a foundation of key topics and themes and integrate this into our overall curriculum. We provide an equitable and inclusive general education curriculum with individualized interventions that support our children’s success. As special educators, we all aim to provide our students with comprehensive learning opportunities that pave the way for educational and personal success. FAEC uses an award-winning adapted core curriculum and supporting interventions to deliver a whole-child approach. We help you improve your child’s academic, behavioral, and adaptive skills – from Pre-K through the transition years.

At FAEC we respond to the needs of our community with what the world needs now more than ever – respect, discipline, compassion, generosity, grace, intention, justice, and hope. As a result, our children enjoy the experience, and we hope to enable them to be confident young learners. We recognize a world beyond their needs and hope to facilitate our families and children preparing them for the world around them. 

Our school culture demands that our students, teachers, and families be ever mindful of their role in setting and reaching goals and work together as a team putting our students at the heart of everything we do. 

Furqaan Academy for Exceptional Children will provide our students with all the tools, support, and services they need to succeed in their physical, emotional, and spiritual endeavors, both Islamically and academically.

We look forward to welcoming our students and families to Furqaan Academy for Exceptional Children, 

Respectfully,

Ms. Ruby Ramirez

Meet Our Staff!

Our therapists work closely in teams, collaborating to meet the unique needs of each student and their family. Through these sessions, we address the skills necessary for meaningful participation in everyday life, ensuring that every child feels supported and included in their journey.

Ms. Samiya Zamani

Deputy Executive Director

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Ruby Ramirez M.S

Principal

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Sarah Shams M.S., BCBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

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Biography:

Ms. Samiya is a distinguished leader with a unique and diverse background. She began her career in the healthcare sector and has worked for reputable companies such as CVS pharmacy. She brings a wealth of experience from the corporate world to the field of education that enriches her role as an administrative leader. Her career transition from Pharmacy to education was driven by her passion to make an impact in the Muslim Community and nurture young minds.

Ms. Samiya joined Furqaan Academy after its inception in 2008, showcasing her unwavering dedication to the Academy’s vision and mission. Her commitment to education reflects her contribution to the growth and development of the Academy. Under her guidance, Furqaan Academy has achieved many milestones. Her proactive approach has led Furqaan Academy to achieve state recognition and Accreditation from prestigious organizations such as COGNIA and CISNA. She also collaborated with local public school district and secured free public school buses for the students, making Furqaan Academy the first Islamic School in Illinois to offer free bus transportation!

As the Deputy Executive Director, Ms Samiya is entrusted with overseeing the operations of Furqaan Academy Bolingbrook, Furqaan Academy Online and its Networked Learning Centers, and Furqaan Academy for Exceptional Children. She plays a pivotal role in ensuring the institution’s smooth operation and continued growth, while maintaining the highest standards of excellence.

Biography:

Ruby’s educational background is from the United Kingdom. She earned a Joint Major in Computer Science and Business Studies and completed her Master’s in Multimedia Design at Westminster University. She has several qualifications and certifications from Cornell University and the International Baccalaureate. These include Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, International Baccalaureate Certifications (IB) in Business Management, Computer Science, and Information Technology in a Global Society.

Her professional background stems from working in the educational sector for almost two decades across three continents in both the public and private sectors. In the last decade, she has worked in administration with staff, parents, and students, focusing on the organization’s visions, goals, and objectives. She looks forward to working with the Islamic community, providing opportunities for families with special needs, and enhancing community relations overall.

At Furqaan Academy for Exceptional Children (FAEC), she will focus on creating an inclusive environment with the best curriculum for our students and work collaboratively with external agencies to provide individualized therapy needs for each student. She is passionate about creating opportunities for students with additional needs in an Islamic environment. She looks forward to working with students, teachers, and parents to bring this vision to life.

Biography:

Sarah is a Board Certified Behaviour Analysis, and a  compassionate community member. She is an alum of Chicago-land Islamic Schools. She believes that every student, of every capacity, should have access to an Islamic environment. 

Sarah earned her Bachelor of Arts  at Benedictine University Lisle, IL, where she majored in  History and Biological Health Sciences. She gained her Masters Degree at Aurora University in  Applied Behavioral Analysis.

Sarah has professional experience as an educator, coordinating behavior services at therapeutic day schools, school consultation, and district-wide support. She started her career teaching psychology and social sciences primarily in secondary education. Sarah then pivoted to applied behavior analysis at the curtail of her teaching experience. During her graduate studies, she dedicated much of her research to cultural competency and client-led programming. Sarah co-founded Starlight ABA Services, PLLC where she continues to expand on her clinical experience in behavior skills training, functional communication training, school readiness, behavior reduction, and data analysis. 

Sarah offers training to classroom staff on positive behavior strategies and rapport-building with students. Sarah trusts that collaboration of caregivers, staff, and related disciplines is essential when trying to produce meaningful change for students. She remains observant and considers all factors when planning long-term goals, including cultural background, learning history, and environmental variables. Sarah is enthusiastic and continues to enhance her knowledge in applied behavior analysis in the latest research of skill acquisition, trauma-informed care, and acceptance and commitment training. We are excited to have her skills and expertise at Furqaan Academy for Exceptional Children.