Report cards for elementary schools across Ontario have been handed out by the Fraser Institute and one in Cambridge is at the head of the class.
The International School of Cambridge on Dunbar Road was one of 13 to receive a perfect 10 score and was ranked No. 1 out of 2,975 schools across the province.
The Fraser Institute is an independent Canadian public policy and educational organization with a mission to "improve the quality of life for Canadians, their families, and future generations by studying, measuring, and broadly communicating the effects of government policies, entrepreneurship, and choice on their well-being."
Its rankings are based on nine key factors from EQAO results of Grades 3 and 6 writing, reading, math, the difference in achievement between males and females in Grade 6 reading and math and the per cent of assessments that didn't meet the provincial standard.
"We're really excited," Mohammad Darr, chairman of the Islamic Centre of Cambridge and school board member, said.
"Its a great point of pride for us."
The private school, which is owned and operated by the Islamic Centre of Cambridge, doesn't receive government funding and is financially supported by student fees and donations from the Muslim community.
Founded in 1992, it currently has approximately 100 students enroled between Junior Kindergarten and Grade 8.
Darr points to the high standards of teaching and quality facilities as the reason the school stands out among others.
He said the school attracts students not only from Cambridge but surrounding areas including Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Brantford.
"We hire very qualified teachers, that was our initial thing," Darr said.
"We always try to be the best. That’s what our goal is. The school is 30,400 square feet and our gymnasium alone is 10,000. Our facilities play a big role."
As proud as he is about the recognition, Darr emphasized it wouldn't be possible without a collective effort from the people of Cambridge.
"We want the community to know this school is a good location, has the best facilities and the focus is on the quality of the education," Darr said.
"We want to thank our staff and community who helped us. They helped build it. It’s a community school."
