Education.
City of Knowledge offers a competitive, college preparatory education to our high school students, who take a variety of AP and Honors courses that challenge and engage them on a range of subject areas. Our A-G high school courses are approved by the University of California system.
Our high quality education has been nationally recognized. Newsweek and STEM.org named City of Knowledge one of the nation’s top STEM high schools in 2020. We also received College Board’s Female Diversity Award for AP Computer Science Principles.
To provide a level playing field for our diverse student body, our curriculum includes innovative courses that invite learners of different proficiencies and interests. These range from standard subjects in humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and sciences, to more unique courses where we see students of varying skill sets stand out, such as AP Studio Art, AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Capstone.
City of Knowledge is one of only about 1,800 schools to offer the AP Capstone Diploma Program. This two-year innovative AP program enhances students’ skills in research, writing, collaboration, and presentation, builds their critical thinking skills, and better prepares them for college and career. Students who pass both years of AP Capstone as well as four additional AP exams receive the AP Capstone Diploma, which indicates to colleges that they have mastered important college level skills. Students who pass both years of AP Capstone receive the AP Capstone Certificate.
Our 12:1 student to faculty ratio allows us to provide individualized attention to students and countless opportunities for independent leadership, writing, and student-organized discussion groups.
Islam.
Our priority at City of Knowledge is ensuring our students understand the importance of maintaining service to Allah (swt) as well as his holy Prophet (s) and his Ahlul Bayt as the top priority and motivation for success.
Our students engage in daily Qur’an and Arabic classes where they read, write and understand the language of the Qur’an. Students have daily Ethics classes where they learn Islamic tenets, history, and values. At the high school level, the focus moves to self-building. They learn to implement those values in their daily lives in a way that adheres to usool al-deen and furoo’ al-deen. They also engage in daily group duhr and ‘asr prayers and du’a.
Students celebrate and produce performances for Islamic holidays including the birth of the Prophet (s), and those of his Ahlul Bayt, and commemorate significant events including Ashura. We regularly bring guest scholars from around the world, often during these special occasions, to speak with our students on a range of Islamic topics.
Students are expected to adhere to our school uniform, which follows an Islamic dress code. Hijab is required for females. Only halal (zabihah) food is served and permitted on-campus.
College.
We provide focused college guidance to our high school students to help set them on a path toward being accepted into prestigious colleges and universities. Since our first commencement in 2000, we have proudly graduated hundreds of students, and have maintained a 100% college matriculation rate. Furthermore, all of our students who apply to 4-year universities are admitted, and they are regularly admitted into the nation’s best and most competitive colleges and universities, from the UCs to the Ivy Leagues.
In addition to our in-house support, we regularly bring in outside experts and counselors to provide guidance to students throughout the college application process.
Performing Arts. City of Knowledge students participate in a variety of plays and performances in both English and Arabic. This helps our students strengthen foreign language skills and also build their confidence, public speaking skills, and understanding of Islamic events and rituals. One of our largest annual events is our Karbala play, which engages students from across grade levels in a riveting production that takes viewers through the events that preceded, happened during, and followed Ashura.
Service. Senior projects have been a graduation requirement at City of Knowledge for 20 years. To fulfill this requirement, seniors must fulfill 100 hours of community service at an outside organization as a before they may graduate.
+More.
City of Knowledge High Schoolers engage in a variety of extra-curricular activities to enhance their educational experience. These include:
ASB. High school students have the opportunity to participate and run for leadership positions in the Associated Student Body, or ASB. The ASB puts on school events, including Spirit Week, bake sales and other fundraisers, 100th day celebrations, festivals, mawlid celebrations, and more.
Student Clubs. Students also have the opportunity to lead (and sometimes start) and participate in student clubs. Clubs engage in a variety of activities based on the subject area, including homeless feeding, blood drives, cooking and baking, mental health support, and more.
Yearbook. High school students who participate in yearbook lead and execute the production of the school yearbook.
