Our History
Where it all Began…
In 1918, a remarkable woman named Clara Muhammad married the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Together, they committed themselves to educating their own children and to not leaving their future in the hands of the American educational system. They risked their lives and their freedom during a time when independent education was not only illegal but also considered a bold act, as independent thinking among African Americans was seen as a threat to the United States.
Because of their dedication to their mission, Clara and Elijah Muhammad left a lasting mark on American history — she as The Mother of Education and he as the founder of Islam in America — by opening the very first Islamic school in the nation. This revolutionary act changed the landscape of freedom and education in America forever. Muslim schools across the United States owe their existence to Sister Clara Muhammad’s vision and commitment, which inspired the creation of more than 40 elementary, middle, and high schools called the University of Islam schools. She started her work in establishing Muslim schools in the early 1930s.
Atlanta’s Story
The Mohammed Schools of Atlanta, originally known as the University of Islam, was established in Atlanta in 1965. Under the leadership of the newly-appointed imam and school director, Muhammad University was closed in 1977 for financial reasons. It reopened in January 1980 with a new focus, a new foundation, a new team of educators, and a new name. The school was renamed Clara Mohammed School in honor of Imam W.D. Mohammed’s mother, Sister Clara Mohammed, who was a catalyst for establishing Islamic schools across the United States. In 1987, the Muslim community of the Atlanta Masjid decided to add a grade each year to expand to a high school, elevating the revitalized Clara Mohammed School to the next level.
A year later, the high school, with fewer than 20 students, was named in honor of Imam W.D. Mohammed. The first high school graduation under the new leadership was in 1992, with eight pioneering graduates who embraced the theme “First and Simply the Best.” Each year, the school graduates highly motivated and determined learners eager to continue their education and leave their mark on the world.
School and Community
Our school prepares children to learn and serve as vicegerents on Earth, promoting Islamic education based on the principles of Al-Qur'an. Managed by the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam and affiliated with Imam W.D. Mohammed's followers, 70% of the funding comes from tuition and fundraising efforts by parents, scholars, and faculty, 20% from the community, and the remaining amount from donations. Warith Deen Mohammed High School classes are held in the Abdul Jalil Educational Complex, named after philanthropist Mr. Abdul Jalil, who contributed to financing the building's renovation in 1990. The gym is named after athlete and philanthropist Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a supporter of the school. The school offers a coeducational college preparatory curriculum, connected to sister schools Clara Mohammed Elementary and Middle Schools, collectively known as the Mohammed Schools of Atlanta.