Salam School Junior achieves perfect ACT score

Photo by Cherrie Hanson

Fatima Hameed, 17, of Greenfield attributes her success to her parents’ attention to her education from an early age, the mentorship of excellent teachers and the motivating environment of Salam School.

Salam School junior Fatima Hameed, 17, of Greenfield, earned the highest possible score on the ACT—a composite score of 36. Her score ranks in the top .25% in the nation, says a press release from American College Testing, Inc. 

Salam School in Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s largest Islamic school.

The ACT, one of two standardized tests used for college admissions and scholarship decisions across the United States, consists of tests in English, mathematics, reading and science, each scored on a scale of 1–36. A student’s composite score is the average of the four section test scores. 

“When a student earns a top score of 36 on the ACT test, it opens doors to a promising future, demonstrating for colleges and universities that they are ready for the challenges ahead,” ACT’s CEO Janet Godwin said in the release. “This remarkable achievement is something we celebrate along with the student and their family.” 

Salam High School science teacher Afnan Ismail attributes Hameed’s success to her focus and discipline. “Like many of her peers, she is a driven, motivated and highly competitive student,” Ismail told Wisconsin Muslim Journal. “What sets her apart is her intense focus and disciplined work ethic.

“Even when she finds a concept challenging, she doesn’t shy away from it,” Ismail said. “Instead, she actively seeks out additional resources to fully grasp the material. 

“Teaching her for three years in a row—Biology in 9th grade, Introduction to AP Chemistry in 10th grade and AP Chemistry in 11th grade—gave me a unique chance to really get to know her strengths. None of her accomplishments come as a surprise to me; I’ve always believed she’s capable of doing amazing things.”

How to achieve a great ACT score

In an interview Tuesday, the Wisconsin Muslim Journal asked Hameed and her mother Tayyiba Ansari to share their advice on academic achievement. Here’s what they had to say, paraphrased below.

What do you think helped you do so well on the ACT?

“First and foremost, the most crucial thing that contributed to my score was my early education, how much my parents put into me at a young age,” Hameed said. 

“I remember my mom making me hunch over workbooks. She would put all of her time and effort into her kids, making sure we did all our homework and tutoring lessons. Later, in middle school and high school, I had personal discipline. 

“Even now, my mom enrolled me in an ACT course at UWM (the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee). She would drop me and pick up for every session, a 30-minute drive each way.

“And I’m really blessed in Salam School to have such good teachers who guide me every step of the way. From my elementary school teachers to my high school teachers, they’ve all played a role in shaping my mind and my goals. 

“The school environment at Salam School in general is one that makes you want to do your best.”

What motivates you?

“I want to be able to give back to my community and I can only do that if I strive to be the best that I can,” Hameed said. “My parents always told me you have to grow up to do something to contribute. I’m going to do everything I can to fulfill that. 

“The opportunity to learn is the biggest privilege on earth. I’m given this awesome school and supportive family and circumstances that kids don’t always have. It’d be foolish for me to not take these opportunities I’m so lucky to have and use them to the full extent.”

Photo by Cherrie Hanson

Salam Elementary School Principal Khawla Asmar (right) celebrates junior Fatima Hameed’s outstanding ACT score.

What advice would you give to students?

“Some students might be discouraged, thinking, I go to a small school. I have immigrant parents. But you shouldn’t. God has given us these awesome circumstances. Don’t think of learning as a burden. Don’t limit yourself in learning. Your end goal should be to do the best you possibly can so you can give back to the Muslim ummah (community) because other kids don’t have the same opportunities as you.

Sr. Tayyiba, from a mother’s perspective, what is your approach to nurturing your five children’s academic success?

“As Muslims, we need to strive. I always keep in mind that I want my children to do good in their lives, to serve the family and community at large. How can they do it? With education, discipline, punctuality and dedication to our deen (religion). Our deen teaches us to be the best we can be.

“As a homemaker, besides chores, what do you have to do? You have to look after your kids and give them the best quality time you can, inculcating the good character our deen teaches.”

Photo courtesy of Fatima Hameed

Fatima Hameed, at 8, poses with her third grade teacher Amanda Bartz.

How do you teach them to serve the community?

“I’ve always been an active volunteer, at the masjid, in the funeral home, at Salam School. I would take my children with me. They could do simple chores. No job is small for service. It might be packing gift bags or cleaning the funeral home or cleaning up in the masjid after taraweeh prayers in Ramadan (nightly community prayers observed throughout the month of Ramadan). As Muslims, children should be there for their community.” 

What other values do you strive to teach your children?

“As parents, we should always remind children that it is Allah who achieves success. Whatever you do, it’s from Allah. I advise them to pray two raka’as (rounds of the prayer ritual) to ask Allah for guidance and to open their minds. We should inculcate spirituality in our children so they always seek guidance from the higher supreme power. 

“Fatima is a hafiza (a girl who has memorized the Qur’an). She completed the memorization of the entire Qur’an over the course of three years. During that time, she temporarily stepped away from traditional middle school and enrolled in a virtual homeschooling program, allowing her to fully dedicate herself to her hifz journey.

“I want to highlight this as one of the many inspiring paths young girls can pursue during their school years. Alhamdulillah, it is a journey that not only strengthens their faith but also enhances their mental and personal growth.

“May I add one more thing?

“Our children’s education is something we parents should make dua (a prayer of request) for. Whenever Fatima had an exam, before she left the car, she would say, ‘Mama, make dua, for me.’ I wouldn’t say, ‘Ok’ and let her go. We would make dua right then and there. We would say it in the car. Everyone in the car would. That gives support to the child who’ll know my parents, my family and Allah is with me.

“Our students are doing awesome things, mashallah. They deserve to be uplifted by us.”