Head of School Welcome
Dear Friends and Supporters of American Youth Academy,
Assalamu Alaikum,
Welcome to American Youth Academy (AYA), a thriving educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence rooted in Islamic values. Our school is home to over 1000 students, from PK3 to 12th grade, making it one of the leading Muslim educational institutions in the Tampa area.
At AYA, our commitment to academic excellence shines through with a remarkable 100% graduation rate. Our students have achieved outstanding accomplishments, including National Merit Finalists and admissions to prestigious Ivy League universities like John Hopkins, Duke, and MIT. Our curriculum encourages students to excel in various competitions and events, such as the Scripps's Spelling Bee, National Geographic's competition, Regional Science Fair, MIST competition, Quran competitions, Arabic competitions, and more.
With visionary leadership from our Board of Trustees, the dedication of our administrative team, staff, and the unwavering support of parents and the community, AYA is well-prepared to guide students towards greater success. We are constantly setting and achieving short-term and long-term goals, expanding our competitive IB program, and offering an array of enriching extracurricular activities. Our commitment to academic excellence is further validated through our accreditation by Cognia, a leading international school accreditation agency, and the Florida Council of Independent Schools.
AYA is led by a dynamic team, including the Head of the School, division leads, operations manager, and dedicated support staff. Together, they collaboratively implement policies that enhance the educational quality of all programs. As we look ahead, our focus remains on retaining top faculty through increased professional development, fostering meaningful leadership opportunities for students, integrating character education across subjects, and refining the Arabic and Quran curriculum. These initiatives, Insha'Allah, will continue to enrich the educational experience for our students.
I am honored to lead AYA as a passionate educator with expertise in curriculum design, accreditation processes, student/faculty advisory, counseling, classroom instruction, and procedural design. With a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership, an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree, a Master of Science in Education with a focus on Guidance and Counseling, and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development with a concentration in Psychology, my journey in education has been marked by continuous growth, unwavering dedication, and a deep belief in the transformative power of learning.
I invite you to join us on this remarkable educational journey, where excellence is our standard and every student's potential is valued and realized. Together, we can create a learning environment that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and global awareness.
Your continued support is vital in our journey towards success, and we are deeply grateful for your unwavering dedication to AYA.
Thank you,
Dr. Samah Bkhaitan
American Youth Academy
