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HISTORY
The Port Mann community was originally a post office, a CNR Station, and a ferry
dock. There were many small houses of railway workers, and the school was named after
the community. The Port Mann school opened in 1922 as a 2-room elementary school. It was
typical 1930s style with a peaked roof and two upper classrooms with boys' and girls'
basements beneath. It serviced the pupils of the growing community built around
the CNR rail yard and dock facilities. As the shipping industry changed and the
area became more industrial, the school was used as a private school and eventually
closed.
This picture, taken in 1965, was provided by Ellen Edwards. She began teaching at
Port Mann in 1960. She is pointing to the class room (currently the Principal’s Office)
that she taught in.
Left content and picture provided by Jack Brown – The development of schools in
Surrey 1901-1939
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In 1998, a group of dedicated brothers purchased the former Port Mann school, that
been used as training center, from Canadian National Rail. The brothers had a vision
to establish an Islamic School that would uphold the Islamic tradition of great respect
for knowledge, and a philosophy that student's knowledge of the world and practice of
their beliefs should be integrated into a cohesive whole to provide quality education
and personal excellence.
In September 1998, while renovation was taking place to welcome the pioneers of
the new and only Islamic school in Surrey, a one-room school was rented in the White
Rock–Surrey area with the enrolment of 16 students and school board started recruiting
highly committed and qualified faculty and administration to fulfill its objectives.
A few months later, Iqra Islamic School was established at the current location as
a certified full-time Elementary School:
- Providing quality educational programs that integrate academic, Islamic, and Arabic studies.
- Promoting excellent personal manners, high moral values, and strong leadership skills.
- Preparing students to become good citizens and contributing members of society.
- Empowering students to seek and succeed in post-secondary education.
- Guiding students to develop life skills and interests.
Currently, Iqra as an Elementary & Junior High School (Accredited by the Ministry
of Education, British Columbia) serves over 340 students from all Metro Vancouver,
British Columbia.
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FACILITIES
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Our students love, value and appreciate the various facilities available, which
are conducive to the development of their growing minds and bodies. Our recreational
facilities – gymnasium, outdoor fields, basketball court, swings, and senior and
junior playgrounds –provide our students with a variety of activities for physical
education classes, recess, lunch, and before and after school programs.
Visitors to IQRA have been highly impressed by the high standard of indoor facilities,
including a state-of-the-art computer lab. The large, nicely decorated clean and
bright classrooms provide our students with the right environment in which to learn
and develop their intellect.
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 THE NAME, IQRA إقرأ
In the Arabic language, the literal meaning of the verb Iqra is “to read.” It was
the first word of the Qur'an, revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
by the angel Gabriel.
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Wisdom
He grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted receives indeed a benefit overflowing; but none will grasp the Message but men of understanding. (Quran: Surah 2:269)
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IQRA ISLAMIC SCHOOL PROVIDES EXCELLENCE IN ALL OF THE FOLLOWING
AREAS:
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A. Academics
IQRA Islamic School offers a comprehensive educational package which encompasses
all academic subjects including language arts, math, social studies, and science.
As well, the curriculum is rounded out by physical education, art, health and career
planning, and information technology programs. Students are enriched as well as
challenged by the program offerings.
B. Arabic Language
A primary objective in teaching Arabic as a Second language at IQRA Islamic school
is to enable students to communicate with verbal and written competence in Arabic
according to their respective levels. The student is moved gradually from kindergarten
to junior high towards this objective through the four basic language skills: listening,
speaking, reading and writing. The curriculum presents teaching Arabic as a Second
language in an integrated manner where all four language skills are systematically
integrated.
C. Islamic Studies
& Qur’an Program
The IQRA Islamic education program mainly focuses on two dimensions: individual
and social development. The individual development dimension, aims to prepare
students to lead a positive and good life as adults in the world around them, as
well as to achieve positive rewards in the hereafter. On the social dimension, education
could be a tool to preserve a community’s cultural heritage and a means for social
change. IQRA Islamic school also provides a comprehensive Qur’an curriculum that
includes proper recitation skills, memorization skills, as well as meaningful lessons
learned from respective chapters of the Qur’an. The main goal of this program is
to help students adapt Islam as a way of life.
D. Athletics
at IQRA School
In addition to the athletic areas that are covered by the BC Physical Education
curriculum, IQRA Islamic School is proud to offer a wide range of extra-curricular
sports programs. These programs are held at recess and lunch and give students the
opportunity to get active and compete in their favorite sports. IQRA Islamic School's
special intramural sports program has had positive effects throughout the school.
In addition to the intramural program, IQRA School is presently planning to organize
competitions and matches in various sports against other schools.
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STANDARD & ACHIEVEMENTS
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Our grade four students, for the fourth year in a row; and our grade seven students, for
the second year in a row, have the results of the entire District of Surrey in the provincial
government's province wide Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA). Again during the year 2003-2004,
our students exceeded, by a wide margin, the other school districts in the province.
We also exceeded the results of most of the other independent schools as well, Mashaa
Allah! The results of all schools province wide are also on the Ministry of Education's
web site: www.bced.gov.bc.ca/assessment/fsa/results/
Our commitment is not just to continue with the same results in the years to come,
but to do even better, in sha’Allah.
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