Our school

The story of Young Canadian Muslims is the story of a dream come true

In 2006, Layla Sawaf, a physician by profession and educator at heart, identified an urgent need in Montreal: the absence of an educational space where young members of the Muslim community could learn, grow, and flourish, combining their religious values with the official Quebec curriculum while actively participating in Quebec society.

In 2006, Layla Sawaf, a physician by profession and educator at heart, identified an urgent need in Montreal: the absence of an Islamic school where young people could learn, grow and flourish, while combining their religious values with the official Quebec curriculum and actively participating in Quebec society.

With courage and determination, she rented her first premises in Montreal's industrial Saint-Laurent district and opened the doors of JMC School with a small group of students. These early years were marked by hard work, teamwork, and a deep conviction that education is a driving force for change.

Despite limited resources, our Islamic school has quickly evolved to become a place where students achieve academic excellence, while strengthening their identity, their faith and their sense of belonging to the community and Quebec society.

Facade of the JMC private school in Montreal, illustrating the main entrance and the identity of the educational establishment.

+25

years

of experience

With courage and determination, she rented a space in an industrial neighborhood of Saint-Laurent and opened the school with only a small group of students. These early years were marked by hard work, teamwork, and a deep belief in education as a driver of change. Despite limited resources, École JMC quickly became a place where students not only achieved academic excellence but also strengthened their identity, faith, and sense of belonging.

Our mission

Our mission is to provide an exceptional education rooted in Islamic values, fostering the personal development of each student, openness to others and active engagement in society.

Our vision

At École JMC, we strive to create a forward-thinking educational community where students are encouraged to become innovative leaders, critical thinkers, and ethical citizens, ready to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Rooted in strong moral values and cultural identity, our school cultivates excellence through a dynamic and forward-looking learning environment that integrates technology, sustainability and global citizenship.

The school's growth has been steady and inspiring. In 2016, École JMC reached a historic milestone: it was recognized by the Fraser Institute as one of Quebec's top schools, achieving a perfect score of 10 out of 10, and becoming the first Muslim school to enter the province's top 50 high schools. This achievement, celebrated by major media outlets such as CBC News, reflects the dedication of students, teachers, and families, and solidified JMC's reputation as a model of educational excellence. Furthermore, the school has proudly maintained a 100% graduation rate, a testament to its unwavering commitment to academic success.

“Our role is not just to educate minds, but to inspire the future—to prepare our students not just for the world as it is, but for the world as it can be.”
— Layla Sawaf, Founder and Director of École JMC

In 2018, driven by the desire to provide an even better environment for its students, the school moved to a new building located in the Saint-Laurent district. Following extensive renovations, École JMC modernized its facilities by adding science labs, a library, a cafeteria, and recreational spaces, all designed to support both academic and personal development.

Today, more than 600 students, from kindergarten to high school, are part of this large and growing family in Montreal. JMC School, a recognized private Islamic school, continues to offer a high-quality education in French, while integrating English and Arabic as second and third languages. True to its mission, the school cultivates knowledge, faith, identity, and excellence. Our history demonstrates that when an educational dream is born from commitment, perseverance, and love for the Muslim community, it can become a reality that transforms generations.

Teacher from the École JMC in Montreal accompanying a student during a presentation for a Muslim festival, illustrating the ed

A teacher at École JMC in Montreal congratulates a student at his graduation ceremony, celebrating his success.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

Guided by values, committed to excellence

We are committed to providing an excellent education rooted in Islamic values, fostering personal growth, global awareness, and the active engagement of each student. Our core values, rooted in an Islamic framework, guide everything we do:

Spiritual and moral excellence

Achieving perfection of intention and behavior in accordance with Islamic principles.

Excellence and innovation

Pursue academic excellence and encourage innovation in all areas of learning.

Commitment and responsibility

Take an active role in your own education and assume personal responsibility.

Respect and compassion

Treat others with dignity and kindness.

Stay informed

Each month, we offer a glimpse into school life, sharing special moments, classroom highlights, student activities, and events that make our community unique. Our newsletters are filled with stories, photos, and memories that capture the heart of our school. View the most recent newsletters by clicking the PDF links next to this section.