A new private elementary school will be opening in Kitchener this September.

The school, to be called the Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) Maple Grove School, will be the first Muslim school in Kitchener.

Tuition will cost about $5,000 a year per child.

Many Muslim parents say it’s important to have a place where their kids can learn about their religion and faith.

Students will learn about the Qur’an in the morning and in the afternoon, the curriculum set out by the Ontario government.

Principal Rania Lewendy says parents who register their kids at the school are looking for an Islamic environment.

“The cafeteria would have halal food and all the children around them would be Muslim. The teachers would be Ontario certified teachers but still be Muslim. We find that a lot of children aren’t seeing that reflected in the public school.”

MAC Maple Grove School will be located on Courtland Avenue in the building formally known as the St. Louis Learning Centre.

The total cost to buy the building and renovate is estimated at $2.5 million.

Thirty students have already registered and school officials believe another 150 will be registered by September.