IN BRIEF

The Peace School is new in Canada. It was founded and accredited by the Ontario

Ministry of Education in 2023. Currently the school has twelve children with a capacity for

120 children.

We offer pre-school to grade 6, small class sizes (average of 10 students) and a low

student to teacher ratio (10:1 – 12:1). We also provide after-school programs and

summer camps for children, adult education classes, and family and community events

throughout the year.

Our teachers are university graduates with particular domain expertise. They are passionate about their jobs, dedicated to the growth and success of each child, and committed to global learning and solutions.

The school’s pedagogy and learning environment has attracted the attention and

support of UNICEF, UNESCO and UNHCR. These agencies strongly encouraged 

Dr Nasser Yousefi, the Principal of The Peace school, to share his pedagogy and learning

environment with other countries. Canada was Dr Yousefi’s first choice for the next

peace school.

We emphasize “learning by doing” - immersive experiences and dynamic activities that

foster essential skills and meaningful connections. These experiences serve as

pathways for children to build confidence and motivation, and broaden horizons. 

Our commitment extends beyond traditional textbooks, embracing real-world

engagement and hands-on learning. Our project-based learning empowers each child 

to develop critical thinking and analysis, problem-solving ability, and the capacity to

navigate diverse experiences. This participatory approach enriches each child's academic

journey and equips children with a growth mindset and the practical skills needed for

success in various aspects of life.

“I have worked with diverse groups of children in a wide range of circumstances.

I have learned that children have different needs and interests based on their life

experiences and circumstances.

This has led me to adopt a child-centered and child-tailored approach to learning and

drawn me into a humanistic approach to their education. Allowing children to explore

and experience is essential to helping them flourish.” – Dr Nasser Yousefi

Our humanistic approach to education is:

Individualized

We recognize and value each child’s unique qualities. We understand that education

must begin where the child begins, at the child's starting point. We tailor a child's

educational journey to their specific needs, abilities, and talents. This involves a tailored

learning plan that continually changes as the child develops.

Holistic

We focus on the development of the whole child – on the child’s intellectual, emotional,

social, and physical well-being – nurturing well-rounded individuals.

Life Centered

Education is intricately connected to life. We create meaningful connections between a

child’s educational experience and the real world. By anchoring education in this context,

children deepen their understanding and connection to the world around them and are

able to see the impact of their actions.

Maximizes Potential

We empower children to realize their full potential. We facilitate a child's growth by offering engaging and supportive learning environments, enabling children to fully explore their passions, talents, and abilities.

Socially Engaging

We cultivate emotional intelligence and literacy – a child who is in touch with their feelings

and who experiences happiness, satisfaction and inner peace. We help children develop

socially, building their interpersonal skills, empathy, and compassion for others.

Dr Nasser Yousefi, Principal

Dr Yousefi is passionate about creating the best future for children.

He began his career as a child psychologist, studying in Sweden where he earned a

Masters in Education in Childhood Growth and Development.

In his exploration of the best pedagogy and learning environment for children, 

Dr Yousefi went on to complete a PhD in Educational Approaches at Madonna University 

in Italy, and a PhD in Education Psychology at Northwest University in the USA. This

training combined humanistic and cognitive approaches to education.

For many years Dr Yousefi was an educational consultant for UNICEF. He worked with

diverse groups of children in a wide range of circumstances, including immigrant

children, minorities, street children, refugee children, and children with special needs. 

He learned that every child is unique and must discover their own learning path.

Dr Yousefi was the Principal of the Peace (Participatory) School in Tehran, Iran from

2005 to 2023, graduating 500 students from kindergarten through to high school.

Graduates have been accredited internationally and accepted at universities in Europe,

America, and Canada.  

The pedagogy and learning environment created at the Peace (Participatory) School in

Tehran attracted the attention and support of UNICEF, UNESCO and UNHCR. These

agencies strongly encouraged Dr Yousefi to share his pedagogy and learning

environment with other countries. Canada was Dr Yousefi’s first choice for the next

peace school.

In 2023, Dr Yousefi established The Peace School in Toronto. He hopes it will be the

starting point for creating, establishing, and expanding humanistic and peace-centered

schools worldwide.

As the Principal of The Peace School, Dr Yousefi oversees program development and

idea generation, teacher training, and networking with international experts in

transformative education.

Dr Yousefi has authored over 30 books for children. His books have been published in

Persian, English, Danish, and Arabic. Over 2 million copies have been distributed.

Baran Yousefi, Vice Principal

Ms Yousefi is a graduate of York University’s School of Health Policy and Management.

Her early academic interests leaned heavily towards the natural and social sciences,

leading her to choose a university major that integrated these fields. She pursued her

passion at York University in Toronto, where she earned an Honours BA in Health

Studies.

Ms Yousefi's academic journey has been enriched by specialized courses, including the

United Nations intensive program on Sustainable Development Goals, as well as

studies focused on the healthcare of Indigenous peoples in Canada, quality and safety

in healthcare, and the ethical conduct of research involving humans.

As a graduate of the Peace (Participatory) School in Tehran, Ms Yousefi profoundly

understands its unique and transformative educational approach.

Ms Yousefi oversees the day-to-day management of The Peace School. Together

with Dr Yousefi, she is actively training the school’s teachers in the pedagogy of the

Tehran school and establishing the learning conditions and environment that has

attracted success and international attention.

Ms Yousefi’s educational leadership and organizational skills are already being

recognized. Most recently she was invited to represent the school and its pedagogy

at the “All Means All” workshop which brought together leading experts at the forefront

of alternative education. The month-long workshop at the University of Bremen in

Germany was funded by the Erasmus+ Programme and organized by three European

Universities (Germany, Ireland, and Italy).

Ms Yousefi’s vision is to establish The Peace School as the leading model in humanistic

education, one that others can look to for inspiration and guidance in creating nurturing

and effective learning environments.

Vida Heidari, Art Educator and Community Relations

Ms Heidari is an accomplished illustrator and art educator, deeply committed to

fostering the artistic development of children at The Peace School where she manages

the school’s art programs. With over 20 years of experience, Ms Heidari has organized

solo and group exhibitions, curated art shows for children, and worked as a creative art

teacher with diverse groups of children.

Ms Heidari is trained in the Waldorf approach (Germany), the Gardner educational

method (Hungary) and the Montessori approach. Nonetheless, Ms Heidari’s heart lies 

in humanistic education, which she believes offers the best outcomes for children. 

Ms Heidari has completed courses in Early Childhood Development and parenting 

offered by UNICEF.

Ms Heidari is actively involved in training the school’s teachers, and is a pivotal figure in

family and community engagement. While at the Tehran school, she was instrumental in

engaging parents and families in the school community, recognizing that their active

participation was integral to the school’s success. She facilitated workshops for families,

offering tools and support to create nurturing environments that enhance their

children’s artistic and personal development.

Ms Heidari’s impact reaches beyond the classroom. She has designed innovative

courses for art educators in various educational institutions and led the training of

2,000 rural kindergarten teachers in collaboration with UNICEF Iran, demonstrating 

her commitment to improving educational standards on a broader scale.

Today, Ms Heidari ensures that parents, children, and the broader community benefit

from the school’s offerings.