Frequently Asked Questions

Olive Branch Learning Center is at 202 S. Summit Ave in downtown Gaithersburg, Maryland, a standalone house with a front porch and a handicap-accessible ramp. Families join us from across Montgomery County, including Rockville, Germantown, Montgomery Village, and the wider DMV area.

Olive Branch Learning Center is an in-person homeschool cooperative for grades K–5, not a full-time school. Families remain registered homeschoolers with their county, and we provide high-quality classes, Monday through Thursday, that strengthen your homeschool. A full-time school, Olive Branch Preparatory School, is envisioned for 2027/2028, insha’Allah, and middle school pre-registration for Fall 2026 is now open.

We serve grades K through 5 across three levels: Level 1 (KG–1st), Level 2 (2nd–3rd), and Level 3 (4th–5th). Kindergarteners must be 5 years old by September 3. The after-school Qur’an Hifz program welcomes children ages 11 and under, and a middle school for grades 6–8 arrives Fall 2026, insha’Allah.

Yes. The after-school Qur’an Hifz program runs Monday through Thursday, 2:15–3:30pm, at our Gaithersburg location. It is open to beginners and to students who have already started their memorization journey, with attendance options of two or four days a week.

Yes. Olive Branch Learning Center is a project of Olive Branch Preparatory School, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2021 (EIN 88-1676105). Donations are tax-deductible and directly support teachers, enrichment, and keeping tuition within reach for families.

We believe in high-caliber, hands-on, real-world knowledge and skills. Children, under the right environment and guidance, thrive when presented with challenges in their learning environment. When they find the knowledge they are learning in the classroom to be relevant to the real world, engaging, and hands-on, they are compelled and driven to extend their inquiry and learn more. Our courses are designed to encourage just that!

All of our curricula are custom-made and designed to align with our vision for high-caliber, hands-on, real-world knowledge and skills. Our curricula meet or exceed state standards in an engaging and compelling way while also having room to differentiate for your child’s levels.

Our curriculum and teaching approach is carefully crafted for our Learning Center. First, our courses are custom designed by professional educational consultants and made to align with our mission, vision, and guiding principles; content is challenging and engaging at the same time, hands-on and real-world knowledge are incorporated, and differentiation is a key component within the classroom. Second, all state standards are at least met and often exceeded in each grade level, and we pull content from curricula with proven results that are known for rigor and allow for acceleration. Third, we hire only experienced educators who know how to be gentle yet firm, an encouraging, guiding hand in your child’s learning journey, and we train them on aspects we highly value such as rigor, challenge, and differentiation. Fourth, we keep parents in the loop every step of the way with weekly progress updates and regular surveys. Finally, we offer optional standardized testing (NWEA MAP) in Mathematics, Reading, Language (grades 2+), and Science (grades 3+) once every term to demonstrate your child’s growth over the year and performance relative to peers; results also give teachers more tools to differentiate. Testing is purely optional.

In addition to Islamic Studies and Qur’an courses, we strive to establish Islamic connections within the class environment through initiatives such as weekly and monthly themes and activities, and by making connections with Islamic teachings, values, and traditions. For example, our Social Studies curriculum covers the topics and regions of the world typically found in a secular curriculum, and we complement each unit with perspectives and history relevant to Islamic civilizations and traditions.

Please select the level that corresponds to your child’s current grade level. Each level is designed to be challenging and engaging. Please do not select a level more than 1 grade above your child’s default grade level based on the year they were born (default public school level). Remember that our courses are challenging, and there is room to further differentiate for your child within the class. We only accept children who are 5 years or older by September 3rd in Level 1.

There are multiple ways in which your child will be assessed. Formally, your child receives low-pressure, in-class assessment to help determine their starting level. We also offer optional standardized testing once each term to help you see your child’s progress and performance relative to his or her peers. Informally, your child’s instructor conducts observations and casual in-class assessments to ensure your child is thriving academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our courses are challenging, and there is room to further differentiate for your child within the class. We maintain a low student-to-instructor ratio so your child receives individualized attention, and our instructors are trained to gently move your child ahead in their learning, no matter their starting point. We maintain constant contact with you throughout the term to ensure you are satisfied with your child’s progress. Please do not select a level more than 1 grade ahead of their default grade level, and if you feel your child is below grade level, let us know at the start of the term so the instructor can stay in close contact with you. We only accept children who are 5 years or older by September 3rd in Level 1.

If there are any open seats in your desired course, you may enroll your child anytime, and we will prorate the tuition for you.

If your child is unable to secure a seat before the course fills up, he or she will be waitlisted. If anyone withdraws from the course, we offer the seat to students according to their position on the waitlist. The best time to try again is at the start of the next term, as there may be changes in student schedules and registrations.

Every week, you receive a summary of the week’s class material along with comments from the instructor on your child’s progress. You also have the opportunity to conference with your child’s instructor once every term, and if you have questions at any other time, you may talk to or meet with the instructor.

At the start of the term, you receive a course syllabus outlining the topics covered throughout the course. You also receive a summary of each week’s classes along with comments on your child’s progress from the instructor.

There are multiple ways your child will be assessed. Formally, your child receives low-pressure, in-class assessments to help determine their grasp of the material; this may be a unit-long project that shows mastery, or a simple written assessment. We also offer optional standardized testing once each term so you can see your child’s progress and performance relative to peers. Your child is not required to take this test; it is purely optional. Informally, your child’s instructor conducts observations and casual in-class assessments to ensure your child is thriving academically, socially, and emotionally.

We do not use the traditional A–F or 0–100 grading systems. Instead, we use a three-tiered approach: Fully Proficient, Partially Proficient, and Not Yet Proficient. Your child’s work is assessed throughout the term and feedback is given. Using clearly defined rubrics, children are given the opportunity to improve upon their work if necessary. At the end of the course, your child’s instructor evaluates your child’s level of progress, but there is no final letter grade.

Definitely not! Each class is composed of several segments of instruction and breaks. While each instructor has the freedom to make some changes, generally speaking, class starts with a review of previous material through engaging exercises, then introduction of new material, a break, project work and collaboration time, individual work, and a daily recap. We value hands-on, real-world skills, so much of class time involves plenty of movement and activity within the classroom.

We expect parents to drop off their children on time at the start of each class; the first portion of class is a review of previous material, and it is important for your child to maintain what they learned in previous weeks. If your child is enrolled in multiple classes, you may pick them up at the end of their last course; they are supervised during any intermediate breaks. Please be ready to pick up your child at the end of their last class. After ten minutes, a late fee is charged.

Parents are expected to pick up their children as soon as class ends. A grace period of 10 minutes is given. After 10 minutes, parents are charged $15 for every ten minutes that they are late.

Enrichment offerings grow with student interest. This year’s additions include soccer and basketball teams, an Arabic language program, an after-school Qur’an Hifz program, and after-school enrichment such as woodworking, statistics, and nature programs, with more planned, insha’Allah.

Our curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning and real-life applications. Students attend field trips relevant to the material they are learning in class, and may also take trips to settings where they can see real-life applications of that material.

In addition to off-site enrichment activities, we hold on-site activities and events to help foster a dynamic, engaging, and fun environment for all!

Parental feedback is critical to the success and growth of Olive Branch, and your feedback directly determines the direction of our growth. At the start of the term, you receive a parent intake form; please fill it out honestly and thoroughly. We also send quick surveys during the term and a course completion survey at the end. In addition, you may email us at admin@olivebranchprep.org or talk to any of our administrative team members directly.

You are not required to commit to any involvement other than picking up and dropping off your children on time and meeting with your child’s teacher once per term.

Though we do not require parental involvement, we welcome all parent volunteers. Your participation is critical to our growth and success. Please email contact@olivebranchprep.org or talk to an administrator to find out how you can help!

Yes, insha’Allah. We hold a virtual information session in June and an onsite open house in August. The virtual session gives you an overview of every aspect of the Learning Center, from enrollment to classes, teachers, location, and schedule, with an opportunity to ask questions. The open house lets you tour the property, meet the teachers, and get to know other families and children. Stay tuned for the dates.

Simply email contact@olivebranchprep.org and we will take care of it for you. Please note that after the first week of classes, you will still be charged for the remainder of the term; your child may continue to attend classes until the end of the term, even if you have withdrawn them. Once the term ends, you will not be charged for the next term, and your child will no longer have a seat in the course.

We strive to keep a low student-to-instructor ratio. Each course has 10 to 12 students.

No, Olive Branch Learning Center is not a school. Though the parent organization, Olive Branch Preparatory School, is working on starting a full-time Islamic school in the near future, insha’Allah, the Learning Center is a separate project. It offers high-quality instructional courses and enrichment classes for homeschooling students at an affordable price. Courses meet once or twice a week, and you may use them to cover the full year’s material in each subject, or partially supplement as you like.

Every student compiles a portfolio binder or folder of their work in class and gives it to you before the deadlines for each portfolio submission. There is plenty of work for you to select from for the homeschooling reviews, and you may request to see the contents of the course portfolio at any time.