Faith & Character
Taqwa
- Islamic adab (good manners) and morals
- Qur'an memorisation and daily du'a
- Habits of worship: prayer (salah), dhikr and adab
- Strong moral leadership
The Al Madinah Curriculum
One learning ecosystem for children who are God-conscious, creative and adaptable
More than a collection of subjects. Our curriculum is made up of four components that work together: the Indonesian National Curriculum, Cambridge International, Tahsin & Tahfidz (Qur'an recitation and memorisation) with the Ummi method, and Character Building & Life Skills.
Raising Future Muslim Leaders
Four components that work together
The Al Madinah curriculum is a single learning ecosystem designed to help children grow up God-conscious, creative and adaptable.
COMPONENT 1Indonesian National CurriculumAcademic foundation
COMPONENT 2Cambridge InternationalGlobal standards
COMPONENT 3Tahsin & Tahfidz: Ummi MethodQur'anic excellence
COMPONENT 4Character Building & Life SkillsCharacter formationAl Madinah is the first Islamic school in Makassar to become a Cambridge International School. This shows that Islamic values and global academic standards do not conflict; rather, they strengthen each other.
Component 1 · Academic foundation
Indonesian National Curriculum
The Indonesian National Curriculum forms the academic foundation for children at every level. This curriculum:
- meets Indonesian education standards,
- strengthens the foundations of literacy and numeracy,
- is relevant to the local context,
- is compatible with the national education system, so that a child's learning journey stays aligned should they later move on to another school in Indonesia.
At every level
Early Years
Lays the foundations of language, pre-literacy and pre-numeracy through play, with an introduction to religious values and good character from an early age.
Primary (Grades 1-6)
Builds core literacy and numeracy through Bahasa Indonesia, Mathematics, natural and social sciences, and Islamic Religious Education and Pancasila Education, so that children achieve the national learning outcomes.
Secondary (Grades 7-9)
Continues to strengthen academic learning in line with national standards, alongside the Cambridge pathway.
Component 2 · Global standards
Cambridge International
The Cambridge International curriculum is recognised in more than 160 countries. It develops conceptual understanding, critical thinking and communication skills, rather than rote memorisation, and offers a clear learning pathway from the early years through to university preparation.
Early Years (ages 3-5)
Children learn through play and exploration. The focus is on language, early literacy and numeracy, understanding the world around them, and social-emotional and physical development and creativity.
Primary (Grades 1-6)
Core skills are built through English, Mathematics and Science, complemented by supporting subjects such as Global Perspectives, ICT, and art and sport. Students' progress is monitored regularly, with Cambridge Primary Checkpoint at the end of the stage.
Secondary (Grades 7-9)
Cambridge Lower Secondary deepens academic skills and independent learning, with Checkpoint at the end of the stage. This is followed by Cambridge IGCSE and AS & A Level as preparation for university entry in Indonesia and abroad.
- Cambridge Early YearsPlaygroup and Kindergarten
- Cambridge PrimaryPrimary 1-6
- Cambridge Lower SecondarySecondary 7-9
Swipe the image sideways to see it in full
Component 3 · Qur'anic excellence
Tahsin & Tahfidz: Ummi Method
Ummi is a method of learning to read the Qur'an that emphasises tartil recitation, meaning recitation that is correct, fluent and in accordance with the rules of tajwid. Children learn step by step through a structured series of books (jilid), using a direct approach (without spelling out letters) and guided by certified teachers. Each child progresses at their own pace and moves up to the next book only once their recitation is accurate.
Through this component, Al Madinah students gain:
- the ability to read the Qur'an well,
- structured Qur'an memorisation (Juz 30-29),
- an understanding of tajwid,
- a standardised Qur'an assessment system.
Stages of the Ummi method books
Jilid 1-4
Hijaiyah letters, basic harakat (vowel marks), mad, tanwin, sukun and tasydid, through to reading simple verses fluently and with tartil.
Jilid 5 and the Qur'an
Longer verses, basic tajwid, waqaf (pausing), and reading directly from the mushaf.
Ghorib and Tajwid
Ghorib (unusual) readings and more advanced tajwid rules, such as mad, idgham, ikhfa, iqlab and qalqalah.
Component 4 · Character formation
Character Building & Life Skills
At Al Madinah, character is shaped through systems and daily habits, not merely taught as a subject. Religion is not just a stand-alone subject; it is the lifeblood of the whole of school life.
Three core graduate characteristics
Problem Solver
Creative
- Critical thinking
- Innovation and self-expression
- Basic entrepreneurship
- Project Based Learning
Global Muslim
Adaptive
- English language skills
- Communication and leadership
- Competing
- Ready for the global stage
Islamic Character Building
Daily worship habitsCongregational prayer, dhikr, du'a and adab throughout school life.
Takhassus Qur'anSpecialised in-depth study of reading and understanding the Qur'an.
Tasmi'Regular recitation of memorised verses to a teacher, building spiritual discipline.
MunaqosyahAn oral examination of memorisation that becomes a proud moment for students and parents.
Imtihan Qur'anA comprehensive assessment of Qur'anic ability that serves as a benchmark of achievement.
Malam Bina Iman dan TaqwaA regular evening programme to strengthen faith and taqwa.
Life Skills
Essential life skills
Adab in everyday life, responsibility and independence, and teamwork and collaboration. These are developed through the following programmes:
Market DayAn entrepreneurship simulation that teaches hard work, creativity and how to make transactions.
Cooking ClassIndependence and teamwork.
Science ProjectProject-based scientific exploration.
Dramatic MusicalThe confidence to perform and express oneself.
Public SpeakingSpeaking in public in a structured and consistent way.
English DayA whole day spent speaking English.
Competitions and Leadership ActivitiesReal experience of competing and leading.
Details by Level
The curriculum at each level
Early Years: Playgroup and Kindergarten
Early Years follows the Cambridge Curriculum with a holistic approach: it focuses on the whole child and connects their development with the world around them. This approach also supports bilingual and multilingual learning.
The six areas of Cambridge Early Years
All Early Years children are expected to memorise the short surahs of Juz 30, hadith and daily du'a through Tahsin and Tahfidz with the Ummi method.
Cambridge and National Curriculum in Primary 1-6
English as a Second Language, Science and Maths are taught entirely in English. Cambridge certificates are internationally recognised.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are built step by step across three developmental stages, alongside the Ummi method levels of Qur'an learning.
Stages 1 and 2
Indonesian National Curriculum: recognising national symbols, practising simple communication, following rules and caring for the environment.
Cambridge: connecting lessons with everyday life, asking questions, and trying simple ways of solving problems using numbers and observation.
Stages 3 and 4
Indonesian National Curriculum: being confident, reading and writing well, expressing themselves through artwork, and putting the values of Pancasila into practice through tolerance and cooperation.
Cambridge: using knowledge to solve new problems, choosing the best strategy, and explaining and defending ideas.
Stages 5 and 6
Indonesian National Curriculum: learners who are communicative, creative, reflect the character of Pancasila, care about society, and are ready to create and contribute within a diverse community.
Cambridge: thinking critically about their own solutions and those of others, applying mathematics and science to real situations, and taking responsibility for choosing efficient strategies and making decisions with a positive impact.
Cambridge Dual Pathway and International Benchmarking
The Cambridge Checkpoint (Lower Secondary) curriculum in the Core subjects of Mathematics, Science and English, to develop critical thinking and problem solving.
Cambridge Global Perspectives and Service Learning
Community service projects, such as waste management and village literacy.
National subjects
- Pancasila Education
- Religious and Character Education
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Arts and Crafts
- Physical Education, Sport and Health (PJOK)
Cambridge subjects
- Maths
- Science
- English
- IT
- Global Perspectives
Illustration of Primary and Secondary lesson hours
Coming soon. For current information on lesson hours, please ask our Admissions team.
FAQ
Questions about the curriculum
What are the components of the Al Madinah curriculum?
Four components that work together: the Indonesian National Curriculum as the academic foundation, Cambridge International for global standards, Tahsin & Tahfidz with the Ummi method for Qur'anic excellence, and Character Building & Life Skills for character formation.
Will my child still be able to move on to a national school?
Yes. The Indonesian National Curriculum forms the academic foundation at every level and is compatible with the national education system, so your child's learning journey stays aligned should they later move on to another school in Indonesia.
What is the Ummi method?
Ummi is a method of learning to read the Qur'an that emphasises tartil recitation, meaning recitation that is correct, fluent and in accordance with the rules of tajwid. Children learn step by step through a structured series of books (jilid), using a direct approach (without spelling out letters) and guided by certified teachers. Children move up to the next book only once their recitation is accurate.
What are the Qur'an memorisation targets?
Students follow a structured Qur'an memorisation programme (Juz 30-29), with regular recitation to a teacher (Tasmi'), oral examinations (Munaqosyah) and comprehensive assessments (Imtihan Qur'an). Please ask our Admissions team for the detailed targets at each level.
How is students' academic progress monitored?
In Primary, students' progress is monitored regularly, with Cambridge Primary Checkpoint at the end of the stage. In Lower Secondary, there is a Checkpoint at the end of the stage.
How is my child's character shaped?
Through systems and daily habits, not lessons alone: congregational prayer, dhikr, du'a and adab every day, together with programmes such as Market Day, Public Speaking and English Day, as well as competitions and leadership activities.
Contact
Thank you for your interest in Al Madinah Islamic School Makassar.
- AddressJl. Veteran Selatan No. 1, Makassar
- Phone/WhatsApp+62 851-7346-4758
- Emailalmadinah.mks@gmail.com
- Instagram@almadinah.makassar
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. We are here to help.
Raising Future Muslim Leaders
At Al Madinah, the Indonesian National Curriculum as the foundation, Cambridge for global standards, Ummi for Qur'anic excellence, and character education and life skills come together to shape children who are God-conscious, creative and ready to lead.
Education Consultation
Would you like to know which curriculum suits your child?
Our Admissions team is ready to explain the curriculum at each level and send you the AY 2027-28 e-brochure.