

Brighter Horizons Academy
Islamic, Founded 1999
Updated July 2026
Brighter Horizons Academy is the largest full-time, accredited Islamic school in the South, serving students from PK through 12th grade. It is a college-preparatory institution focused on graduating responsible, faith-grounded leaders prepared for the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
The school is a model Islamic educational institution dedicated to developing practicing Muslim leaders who are lifelong learners and respectful citizens. It emphasizes a faith-based environment that merges academic excellence with Islamic values, aiming to prepare students for success in both this life and the Hereafter. The school encourages family partnership through the Wakeel Program, which promotes shared responsibility for the student's spiritual and academic development.
Programmes
The school follows a Texas-aligned curriculum for grades PK–12, incorporating core subjects such as Math, Science, English, and Social Studies, alongside specialized Islamic studies. The academic program includes Honors, Pre-AP, and AP courses, as well as dual-credit college opportunities for 11th and 12th graders. Students also receive instruction in Quran (Hifz, Tajweed, and Tafseer), Arabic language acquisition, and character education (Tarbiyah).
Outcomes
Graduates are prepared for college entrance and career challenges, with recent alumni gaining admission to institutions such as Princeton, Rice University, Georgia Tech, UT Austin, and Texas A&M. The school offers multiple graduation tracks, including advanced, distinguished, and accelerated programs, with some pathways allowing for the completion of an Associate’s degree or core college credits. Students also participate in standardized testing, including the STAAR, EOC, MAP, and PSAT, to benchmark academic progress.
Student support
Learning support
The school provides academic and behavioral guidance through dedicated student services offices. Support includes college guidance, behavioral counseling, and resources for students with specific learning needs, such as those requiring ESL documentation or IEP support. Additionally, the school offers life skills programs, including financial literacy, character education (Tarbiyah), and health and anti-bullying forums.
Frequently asked questions(4)
- What curriculum does Brighter Horizons Academy offer?
- Brighter Horizons Academy offers IB PYP.
- How much is tuition at Brighter Horizons Academy?
- Annual tuition at Brighter Horizons Academy is $9K–$10.9K. Fees vary by year group — confirm the current schedule with the school.
- Is Brighter Horizons Academy co-educational?
- Brighter Horizons Academy is a co-ed school.
- Where is Brighter Horizons Academy located?
- Brighter Horizons Academy is an international school in Plano, United States.
Tuition & fees
Annual tuition by grade
2026-2027| Grade | Ages | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-KindergartenWakeel Participant | 4–4 | $10.7K |
| KindergartenWakeel Participant | 5–5 | $10.7K |
| 1st GradeWithout Wakeel | 6–6 | $10.9K |
| 2nd GradeWithout Wakeel | 7–7 | $10.9K |
| 3rd GradeWithout Wakeel | 8–8 | $10.9K |
| 4th GradeWithout Wakeel | 9–9 | $10.9K |
| 5th GradeWithout Wakeel | 10–10 | $10.9K |
| 6th GradeWithout Wakeel | 11–11 | $10.9K |
| 7th GradeWithout Wakeel | 12–12 | $10.9K |
| 8th GradeWithout Wakeel | 13–13 | $10.9K |
| 9th GradeWithout Wakeel | 14–14 | $10.9K |
| 10th GradeWithout Wakeel | 15–15 | $10.9K |
| 11th GradeWithout Wakeel | 16–16 | $10.9K |
| 12th GradeWithout Wakeel | 17–17 | $10.9K |
| 1st GradeWakeel Participant | 6–6 | $9K |
| 2nd GradeWakeel Participant | 7–7 | $9K |
| 3rd GradeWakeel Participant | 8–8 | $9K |
| 4th GradeWakeel Participant | 9–9 | $9K |
| 5th GradeWakeel Participant | 10–10 | $9K |
| 6th GradeWakeel Participant | 11–11 | $9K |
| 7th GradeWakeel Participant | 12–12 | $9K |
| 8th GradeWakeel Participant | 13–13 | $9K |
| 9th GradeWakeel Participant | 14–14 | $9K |
| 10th GradeWakeel Participant | 15–15 | $9K |
| 11th GradeWakeel Participant | 16–16 | $9K |
| 12th GradeWakeel Participant | 17–17 | $9K |
Source:PDF26-27-Academic-Calendar.pdfPDFLHA-Tuition-26-27-with-Wakeel.pdfPDFBHA-Tuition-26-27.pdfPDFBHA-Tuition-26-27-with-Wakeel.pdf
Other fees(17)
| Materials· Instructional Materials & Resource Fees for LHA (Pre-K & KG) | $225 |
|---|---|
| Materials· Technology Fee (LHA and BHA) | $75 |
| Registration fee· PTO Membership per family (LHA and BHA) | $10 |
| Deposit· PTO Volunteer Account per semester per family (LHA and BHA) | $50 |
| Materials· KG Graduation Ceremony Fee (LHA) | $50 |
| Materials· Supplies Fee for BHA (Grades 1-12) | $100 |
| Materials· Athletic Fee for BHA (Grades 1-12) | $70 |
| Placement test· PSAT Testing Fee (8th-10th grades) | $20 |
| Placement test· In-House Testing (6th-7th grades) | $15 |
| Materials· Book Fees, Resources & Art Fees (1st-10th grades) | $340 |
| Materials· 11th grade BHA textbooks | $265 |
| Materials· 12th grade BHA textbooks | $190 |
| Meals· Hot Lunch Program per meal (BHA) | $7 |
| Meals· LHA annual tuition includes the hot lunch food program of two meals and a snack per school day. | — |
| Materials· 5th Grade Graduation Fee (BHA) | $75 |
| Materials· 8th Grade Graduation Fee (BHA) | $100 |
| Materials· 12th Grade Graduation Fee (BHA) | $350 |
Discounts
- Sibling discount: 10% - 40%
Admissions
The school conducts a holistic admissions review, evaluating academic performance, character, behavior, and motivation. Prospective families are required to submit an online application with supporting documentation, such as birth certificates, immunization records, and previous school transcripts. Selected candidates are invited to participate in an admission preview day, which is a mandatory step in the process. Enrollment decisions are communicated via email, and qualified applicants may be placed on a waitlist due to limited capacity.
Calendar
The school operates on an academic calendar that includes specific windows for re-enrollment and new student applications. Administrative offices are open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, while student hours vary by division: elementary students attend from 7:45 am to 2:30 pm, and middle and high school students attend from 8:15 am to 3:00 pm. Summer hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Facilities
About the campus
The campus spans over 14 acres in Garland, Texas, and consists of two primary buildings. The main building, serving grades 4–12, features 36 classrooms, two science labs, a computer lab, a library, a gymnasium with indoor basketball and volleyball courts, a prayer area, and a high school student lounge. The Early Childhood and Elementary (ECE) building, serving PK–3rd grade, includes 15 classrooms, a computer lab, a media center, and a musallah. Outdoor facilities include a playground, basketball courts, a soccer field, and a track.
Co-curriculars
Students have access to a variety of extracurricular activities, including sports teams, academic competitions, and service-oriented clubs. Offerings include the National Honor Society, Student Council, UNICEF Club, Science Club, and various arts, crafts, and book clubs. The school also hosts an annual science fair and participates in contests such as the National Geography Bee and Spelling Bee.



Rima DamrahMS Islamic Studies/Quran Dept. HeadRima Damrah serves as the MS Islamic Studies/Quran Department Head. She holds a Master’s degree in Islamic Education and a Recitation Ijaza (Hafs ‘an Asim), and has been with the academy since 2014.
Rayda SalehArabic Dept. HeadRayda Saleh is the Arabic Department Head for Middle and High School. She has 17 years of teaching experience, including 15 years at Brighter Horizons Academy, and holds an IB Diploma in Teaching Arabic to Speakers of Other Languages.
Sofia ZamirMath Dept. HeadSofia Zamir serves as the Math Department Head and has been with the academy for 16 years. She holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and teaches various advanced math courses.
Qamar MadaniScience Dept. HeadQamar Madani is the Head of the Science Department and has been teaching at the academy since 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree and is certified to teach 7-12 Science.
IB PYP