The Arabic-themed public school is creating controversy before it even opens. Many are concerned about what will be taught in the classrooms.

Khalil Gibran International Academy

New York City is breaking up large, ineffective school districts into smaller and more successful academies. Because of funding provided by Bill and Melinda Gates, schools are experimenting with

• High School of Violin and Dance
• The Peace and Diversity Academy
• Academy for Careers in Sports
• The Food and Finance High school
• Academy for Hospitality and Tourism
• Academy for Visual Arts and Theater

Specialty academies have created much interest in education and many other states are doing the same. Debbie Almontaser, who has a son serving in the National Guard, thinks the time is right for an Arab academy. Almontaser is a New York City educator of Muslim and Yemeni background and will be the director of the school. She has worked to fight prejudice and stereotyping of Arabs and Muslims after Sept. 11.

Opposition

Islam is a very sensitive topic world-wide but especially in post-September 11 New York City. Many are concerned that the school will become a breeding ground for Islamic terrorists. Since this academy is a public school, religion will not be taught but Arab culture will. How issues will be taught is as much of an issue as what will be taught. Almontaser says, "Teachers are going to be expected to provide students with multiple perspectives on whatever the issue is. Students will, through the critical-thinking skills that they will develop, make informed decisions on the perspective that they want to believe. It's going to be quite difficult to do, but that is a priority." [International Herald Tribune.com, April 14, 2007]

Building Bridges

Debbie Almontaser expected opposition but states that this academy will be about valuing diversity, creating global citizens, tolerance, acceptance and building bridges to understanding. The academy will also produce Arabic-speaking graduates that will possibly work for the CIA or engineering in the future.

Who Is Khalil Gibran?

Gibran lived from 1883-1931 and was born in Northern Lebanon. After a difficult childhood, the family came to Boston for a better life. Gibran was a peace-promoting, Christian novelist, poet and artist known best for his book, The Prophet. The Prophet is a book of 26 poetic essays and has been translated into more than 20 languages.

The Vision

The plan for the school is to begin small and expand each year.

• Begin as a 6th grade
• Open with 81 slots
• Expand each year until 12th grade is formed
• Half of the students are expected to be of Arab heritage
• Open admission

Problem: The Location

Finding a building for this academy is a controversial issue. New York City presently has schools within schools. Almontaser would like to do the same but many parents consider this school a security risk. There have even been protests held against the school opening. Almontaser is hopeful that a temporary location for grades 6-8 will be found soon and a permanent location found at a later time. She does expect to fill the 81 openings quickly.

Related articles: Vocational High Schools, Paradigm Shift in Learning, Education and Society Are Changing.

Read previous articles on Educational Issues.

Copyright article 2007 Barbara Pytel. All Rights Reserved.