The short answer: switch when the problem is the academy, not just one teacher: repeated missed classes, little visible progress over several months, poor communication or safeguarding you are not comfortable with. Before you move, write down exactly where your child is (book, page, surah or lesson), ask the new academy for a level check, and use their trial classes to make sure the new teacher continues from that point rather than starting from zero.
Teacher problem or academy problem?
Before switching academies, it is worth asking whether you only need a new teacher. Many problems, such as a personality clash, a teaching style that does not suit your child, or an inconvenient time, can be fixed inside the same academy. Our guide on when to change your child's Quran teacher helps with that question.
If the problems carry on whoever teaches, the issue is usually the academy itself.
Signs it is time to switch
- Classes are often missed, late or cut short, and nothing changes when you raise it.
- Little progress after several months, with no clear plan from the teacher or academy.
- No one checks the lessons. You cannot tell who supervises teaching quality.
- You are discouraged from watching classes, or a teacher contacts your child privately.
- Messages go unanswered for days.
- Fees or rules keep changing without notice or explanation.
- You are asked to pay a teacher directly, outside the academy.
- Your child dreads class, and it is more than ordinary reluctance.
One of these on its own may be fixable with a frank conversation. Several together usually mean it is time to move. If you are not sure how far your child has actually come, our guide to checking your child's Quran progress gives you a simple way to measure it.
How to switch without losing progress
The fear most parents have is that their child will go back to the beginning. That only happens if nobody knows where the child is. A few minutes of preparation prevents it.
1. Write down where your child is
Before your last class at the old academy, note down:
- the book they use (for example, which Qaida or which Quran print) and the exact page or lesson
- for Quran reading, the surah and verse they have reached
- for Hifz, what is memorised, what is being revised, and the current new portion
- any Tajweed rules they have learnt
- anything the teacher said they still find hard
Ask the old teacher or academy to confirm it if you can. A photo of the current page helps too.
2. Keep practising during the gap
Try to avoid a long break between academies. Even ten minutes of reading at home a few times a week keeps things fresh. Our tips on revising Quran at home between classes are useful here.
3. Ask for a level check at the new academy
Do not rely only on what the old academy said. Children often know more, or less, than the book page suggests. A good new teacher will listen to your child read, check a few letters and rules, and decide where to start. Our Quran level test gives a quick idea before you book.
4. Expect a short overlap
It is normal for the new teacher to spend a class or two going back slightly, to fix habits or fill small gaps, before moving forward. That is not starting again. It is building on firmer ground.
5. End things politely with the old academy
Give notice as their terms require, and check what happens to any classes you have already paid for. Keep messages short and polite; you may want a reference or records later.
What to ask the new academy
You are switching because something went wrong, so be more careful this time. Ask in writing; our guide to what to get in writing before you enrol has a full checklist.
| Ask about | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Level check before classes start | So your child continues, not restarts |
| Trial classes and whether a card is needed | So you can test before paying |
| Who supervises lessons | Someone should check teaching quality |
| Whether parents can watch any class | Safety and peace of mind |
| Changing teacher | In case the first match is not right |
| Missed classes and pausing | The most common source of disputes |
| Progress updates | So you are not left guessing again |
| Money-back terms | A safety net for the first month |
Switching to Online Quran Lessons
If you are thinking of moving to us, here is how it works. Tell us on the trial form or on WhatsApp where your child has reached. During 3 free trial classes, your child's teacher checks their level and continues from where they really are. You can choose a male or female teacher at the same fee, and change teacher free at any time.
Every class is live and one-to-one, a female supervisor checks every class, and you can join any lesson whenever you like. Your first paid month has a 7-day money-back guarantee, and plans start from $30 a month.
Make the move
Bring your child's current page and a list of what they have covered. Book 3 free trial classes, no card needed, and see whether the new teacher picks up exactly where the last one left off.
