For more than 30 years, one school in Pomona, California has been quietly doing the work of raising the next generation of Muslim leaders — one student at a time.
The Islamic Center of Claremont Community School, known as Islamic school Southern California, has been educating Muslim children from preschool through 8th grade since 1993. With WASC accreditation, a rigorous academic program rooted in both American and Islamic scholarship, and a student-teacher ratio of 8:1, ICC School offers something rare: a school where islamic values and academic excellence aren’t in tension — they reinforce each other.
ICCC School was nominated for AMCF’s Women’s Giving Circle in the 2024 cycle, reflecting the community’s recognition of its work. Their motto says it all: Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow.
What Makes ICCC School Different
ICCC School holds accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) — a rigorous standard given only to schools that meet high academic benchmarks and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement. For a small Islamic school serving preschool through 8th grade, this is a meaningful distinction. It tells families that the education their children receive here is held to the same standard as any school in the region.
ICCC School’s mission is to provide a unique and exemplary education in an Islamic environment — instilling a love of Islam and learning through a balanced, comprehensive curriculum that aims to educate the whole child. That means Arabic language instruction, Qur’an, and Islamic Studies woven into a full academic program, alongside the critical thinking and creativity that set students up for whatever comes next.
ICCC School is also a member of the Islamic Schools League of America (ISLA), connecting them to a national network of Muslim schools committed to raising the bar for Islamic education across the country.
A Principal Leading by Example
Rossana Mian has led ICCC School as Principal with a clear vision: that Islamic education and community partnership go hand in hand. She is herself a member of AMCF’s Women’s Giving Circle — not just a school leader sending students into the community, but a woman who invests in the broader ecosystem of Muslim philanthropy.
In her own words:
“ICCC School is proud to partner with the American Muslim Community Foundation to strengthen our shared commitment to education, service, and empowering the next generation of Muslim leaders through faith, knowledge, and community support.” — Rossana Mian, ICCC School Principal
Building Leaders Through Community
Dr. Fatheema Begum Subhan chairs ICCC School’s Education Committee and brings that same commitment to the broader community. A newly elected Shura Council Board Member, Dr. Subhan sees the school as something larger than four walls and a curriculum — it’s a hub for leadership development.
“Community events like Networking for Muslim Leaders are more than gatherings — they are opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. Through these spaces, ICCC School serves as a trusted educational hub, bringing leaders together, fostering meaningful dialogue, and cultivating the next generation of leadership. Through strategic partnerships with organizations like AMCF, ICCC School expands its reach, strengthens diversity, and unlocks shared resources that amplify collective impact.” — Dr. Fatheema Begum Subhan, Chair, ICCC School Education Committee
This is the vision that sets ICCC School apart: a school that doesn’t just prepare students for the world, but actively helps shape it.
ICCC School and AMCF’s Women’s Giving Circle
AMCF’s Women’s Giving Circle is a collective of women who pool resources to fund organizations led by or serving Muslim women and families — organizations that mainstream philanthropic channels often overlook. ICCC School’s nomination for the 2024 cycle reflects what the school represents: a community institution run by women, serving families, and building something lasting.
When Muslim women invest in Muslim education, the impact compounds. Students graduate into a community that takes their development seriously. Leaders emerge from institutions built with intention. And schools like ICCC School can keep doing the work that most people never see — one classroom, one student, one year at a time.
Support ICCC School
Through the Women’s Giving Circle: Join AMCF’s Women’s Giving Circle and help fund women-led organizations like ICCC School.
Join the Women’s Giving Circle →
Through your DAF: If you have a Donor Advised Fund with AMCF, you can recommend a grant directly to ICCC School.
Learn more about ICCC School: Visit their website to explore their programs, admissions, and community.