The Islamic Academy for Peace has been educating children at 125 Oakland Ave., since 2001 with a focus on “academic excellence, Islamic values and exemplary ethics.”
The school community continues to grow and thrive and now – more than a quarter-century since opening – there’s an enhanced sense of pride in the air: TIA recently ended its lease and successful purchased the property from the city for $2.68 million.
At the end of July, the pre-K-to-eighth-grade school hosted a Key Transfer and Community Appreciation Ceremony. The school community came together with several city officials and three former mayors to celebrate this milestone!
“Over the last 26 years, our community has poured lots of hard work, effort and love to turn the property into a welcoming environment that celebrates learning, growth and development for generations of students. This year the Mayor’s Office provided us with the opportunity to purchase the building and surrounding property so that we can make it a permanent home for the school,” the TIA Board of Directors and School Committee said in a statement. “Our community worked together to raise the funds and make the purchase possible.
“This could not have been possible without the tremendous support and kindness extended to us by the mayor and City Council. Our community is overjoyed by the prospect of being able to secure our long-term home and future, and to continue our mission of building a school and community rooted in academic excellence, community service and faith,” the statement continued. “We truly believe this is a win-win for TIA and the City of Methuen. The city opened the door, and the community walked in. Our community is deeply grateful, tremendously proud and excited to begin this new chapter.”
Mayor DJ Beauregard and City Council members supported TIA’s purchase, noting the care and good will they’ve brought to the property and the community.
