History, Mission, & Vision

History

Orange Crescent School was founded in 1983 by the Islamic Society of Orange County. The concerned and hardworking pioneers of OCS had a vision of providing a balanced academic program with an emphasis on comprehensive Islamic Studies. It exists as a non-profit, private academic institution serving Orange County's diverse Muslim community with solid Islamic education from preschool to eighth grade.

Today we are the largest Islamic School in Orange County, with a student population of approximately 400 representing more than 20 nationalities. We are proud to be one of only a few Islamic Schools with the stamp of Accreditation from WASC. The importance of this accreditation is vital to the integrity of OCS as it validates the programs we offer and provides students a viable educational source. We are also proud of partnership with the Orange County Department of Education through their various programs, including the Institute of Character Education. Our teachers and staff participate in this federal program, allowing OCS to model and implement research-based models for improving school character in alliance with our Islamic development.

Mission

Orange Crescent School’s mission is to provide students with “Academic and Moral Excellence in an Islamic Environment,” with our educational programs geared toward the development of our students’ total personality. Our programs, therefore, address the spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs of students. In addition, Orange Crescent School provides students with a bilingual foundation to effectively understand Islamic sources in the Arabic language, and strives to mold students through an effectively balanced character and Islamic education.

Vision

The vision of Orange Crescent School is to provide an enriched environment where students, faculty, and staff seek the pleasure of Allah (swt) by His grace, His mercy, and complete awareness of His presence. Guided by the primary sources of Islam, the Qur’an, the Sunnah, and the Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), OCS is dedicated to providing its students with a learning environment of the highest caliber. As a belief that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the most perfect of creation and model of character, we strive to support our students by giving them the tools to follow in his footprints in ensuring that they will be successful in this life and the eternal Hereafter.

We strive to develop students who have a positive self-identity as Muslim-Americans and who will become confident and successful citizens in the world. Students excel in all aspects of their personality and schoolwide achievements. They are expected to use their gained knowledge and skills to provide peace and benefit to themselves and to the creation of the Creator, Allah (swt). With this we aim to provide an optimal environment that develops in each student a sound understanding of Islamic character enhanced with a motivation for the acquisition of knowledge.