Wondering how a school founded by a decree of King Fahd in 1984 became a cultural crossroads. That is the story of the Islamic Saudi Academy. The Islamic Saudi Academy of Washington was an International Baccalaureate World university preparatory school. It was located in Northern Virginia. The academy was accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. IB authorized it in December 2008.
Let’s step back in time to August 1984. The Saudi government purchased the 34-acre campus of the former Fairfax Christian School. Robert L. Thoburn sold it for $3 million. This became the first home for the Islamic Saudi Academy. It originally served grades K through 6.
The Islamic Saudi Academy quickly gained popularity. By 1986, the school rented the former Dunn Loring Elementary School. This provided space for the growing student body. Following this expansion, the academy added grades 7 through 12. When the lease on the Dunn Loring site expired, the Islamic Saudi Academy leased the former Mount Vernon High School. It was located in Mount Vernon near Alexandria. The school spent $5 million to renovate the building. The academy moved to the Alexandria site in 1989.
For much of its history, the Islamic Saudi Academy maintained two campuses. The main campus was near Alexandria. The West Campus was in Fairfax Station. In December 2015, plans emerged for the school to move to a new campus near Herndon. However, the original Islamic Saudi Academy closed in June 2016. The new King Abdullah Academy opened in Fall 2016.
The Islamic Saudi Academy offered a bilingual education. Classes were mandatory in English and Arabic. The curriculum included Islamic studies, mathematics, science, and more. It also featured an Advanced Placement Program and an English as a second language program. The academy had an IB program. Students could graduate with an IB diploma.
The Islamic Saudi Academy was a member of the Northern Virginia Independent Athletic Conference. It had basketball and soccer leagues. The school supported the Mount Vernon Youth Athletic Association. This program taught discipline and citizenship through athletics. Students participated in Model United Nations, science fairs, and drama programs.
The Islamic Saudi Academy faced controversy. It was accused of promoting religious intolerance. In 2005, Senator Charles Schumer questioned whether the Islamic Saudi Academy was “another madrassa”. In 2007, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom urged the State Department to shut it down. They believed it taught religious intolerance. The Islamic Saudi Academy officials stated that they had removed offensive passages from textbooks.
In 2008, a report stated that textbooks at the Islamic Saudi Academy taught that Muslims could kill adulterers and converts from Islam. The report also stated that, “The Jews conspired against Islam and its people.” Islamic Saudi Academy officials said these textbooks were outdated. Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors requested the State Department to review the land lease.
Despite the controversies, the Islamic Saudi Academy played a vital role. It served Saudi citizens living abroad. It provided a well-rounded education. The Islamic Saudi Academy aimed to preserve their cultural identity.
The Islamic Saudi Academy left a lasting impact. It shaped the lives of over 1,200 students. It fostered cultural exchange. Although it closed in 2016, its legacy continues. The King Abdullah Academy carries on its mission. The Islamic Saudi Academy remains a significant chapter. It is a chapter in the history of international education.