New Home, New Hope
Saturday January 25th 2025
Once upon a time in the glorious year of 2017—when fidget spinners reigned supreme—a little school in Yogyakarta was born with a big dream. Al Azhar 55 Islamic Primary School opened its humble doors with just 55 bright-eyed students in its first and second batches, a
number that, by some divine comedy, matched our name perfectly. This precious fact was lovingly preserved by our founding principal, Ms. Iyut Ayudya. From the very beginning, our vision was as bold as our faith: to become the first Islamic international primary school in the
Special Region of Yogyakarta.
Fast forward seven spirited years later, our modest building was bursting at the seams. Our classrooms were full, our hallways sounded like rush hour, and our dreams had clearly outgrown our walls.
Then came the phone call. On November 16, 2023, while I was neck-deep in the National Work Meeting in Makassar, my phone rang. On the other end was none other than Hafidh Asrom, founder of Asram Foundation. His words were simple, but seismic: “Next year, Al Azhar 55 Islamic Primary School is moving to a brand-new campus.” Mic drop.
And just like that, exactly one year later, the great “migration” began. By the end of December 2024, the transition was complete. We packed up not just desks and whiteboards, but memories and milestones, laughter and learning. And in return, we gained a sparkling new building, tailored to fit the ever-growing excitement of our students. No more cramming two dreams into one desk!
With a new home comes new habits. We’re learning to navigate a vertical building—yes, we now measure our days in steps and lift rides. Our pick-up and drop-off routines have evolved into a fine-tuned choreography. Most importantly, we’ve doubled down on child safety and well-being, making sure every little explorer feels secure as they journey through learning.
But let’s be honest, buildings don’t build futures. People do. That’s why we believe moving isn’t just about switching locations. It’s about elevating our spirits. Our new home must be filled not just with books and technology, but with renewed purpose, bigger dreams, and bolder hope.
And what exactly are we dreaming of in this new chapter?
We envision a school where academic excellence isn’t just a slogan, but a daily pursuit, because brilliance needs more than just ambition; it needs a strong and steady foundation. We’re also planting the seeds of research excellence, believing that curiosity is not something to be tamed but celebrated. After all, curiosity didn’t just kill the cat; it also built the rocket.
Our environment is also designed to immerse students in English, empowering them to communicate confidently and naturally in the language of the world. But more than that, we’re shaping our students to be ready for the global stage—well-prepared individuals grounded in Islamic values, ready to contribute with heart and purpose wherever life takes them.
Dreaming is easy; building dreams requires sweat, strategy, and an ocean of sincerity.
To turn these dreams into reality, we know it takes more than just good intentions—it takes a game plan. First, we rely on the unwavering consistency of everyone in our school community, from teachers to parents to students themselves. Excellence isn’t a one-time act; it’s a habit. Alongside, we are fully commitied to safeguarding and elevating the quality of everything we do, because great education demands relentless refinement. We also believe that no vision can come to life without the right people, which is why we’re dedicated to bringing in the best talents—educators who are not only qualified, but inspired. And finally, we are building more than just a school; we’re cultivating an ecosystem where growth, innovation, and collaboration flourish naturally.
To make sure these aren’t just pretty words on paper, we’re rolling up our sleeves and taking real action. We’re welcoming guest teachers from North Illinois University to step into our classrooms and bring fresh, global perspectives to our students. Professors will also be joining us—not to hand out grades, but to enrich the learning process with wisdom and insight. To elevate our language environment, we’re adding more native speakers to our teaching team, giving students daily access to authentic pronunciation and cultural nuance. And because learning doesn’t end at the school gate, we’re sending students abroad through immersion programs in Australia, leting them experience the world firsthand. To top it all off, we’ve proudly secured our official Cambridge license—because when it comes to education, we’re not just reaching high, we’re aiming for the stars.
And so, dear friends, we say this with full hearts and full classrooms: our new building may be made of concrete and glass, but our hopes are built on courage, love, and late-night lesson planning. Let this be the start of something magical. We’ve moved houses—but more importantly, we’ve moved forward.
Here’s to a new home, a new hope, and a future that’s anything but ordinary.
(by: Mr Risal)
