Noor Academy Earns Cognia 'Accredited with Merit' Status

Historic African American school transformed into internationally recognized secular-Islamic academy

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Noor Academy, a K-12 school founded in 2020, has earned Cognia Accreditation and achieved the status of Accredited with Merit. This prestigious recognition affirms the academy's dedication to nurturing the whole student through a holistic approach rooted in good moral character and conduct.

Why it matters

The Noor Academy operates out of the former J. Murray Jeffress Elementary School, which was originally constructed in 1952 as an African American school during segregation. The academy's accreditation and transformation of the historic site into a vibrant center of high-quality learning and opportunity highlights the school's commitment to reclaiming the site's legacy and providing a nurturing environment for students.

The details

Noor Academy participated in Cognia's rigorous Accreditation Engagement Candidacy and Review processes, which evaluated the institution's growth in learning, healthy culture for learning, engaging and high-quality instructional environments, and effective leadership for learning. The review process included a third-party review of evidence by education experts, interviews, and classroom observations.

  • Noor Academy was founded in 2020.
  • The former J. Murray Jeffress Elementary School was constructed in 1952 as an African American school during segregation.

The players

Noor Academy

A K-12 school founded in 2020 to provide meaningful Islamic and secular education, online and in-person, that propels the next generation toward self-discovery and leadership.

Khadija Bint-Abdus Salaam

The Head of Schools at Noor Academy.

Dr. Mark A. Elgart

The president and CEO of Cognia.

J. Murray Jeffress Elementary School

The historic African American school that was constructed in 1952 during segregation, which now houses the Noor Academy.

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What they’re saying

“This prestigious recognition affirms our dedication to nurturing the whole student through a holistic approach rooted in good moral character and conduct—the very principles of the Noor Academy Way.”

— Khadija Bint-Abdus Salaam, Head of Schools, Noor Academy

“I am pleased to congratulate Noor Academy for their designation of Accredited with Merit, a status which recognizes public and non-public institutions that demonstrate high-quality education and service to learners.”

— Dr. Mark A. Elgart, President and CEO of Cognia

The takeaway

The Noor Academy's accreditation and transformation of the historic J. Murray Jeffress Elementary School site demonstrates the school's commitment to providing a nurturing, high-quality educational environment that celebrates the site's legacy and prepares students for lifelong learning and leadership.