Peace Garden

Our Vision

“Instead of four walls and a ceiling like a traditional classroom, the Peace Garden — this classroom — has two walls and the sky for a ceiling”

Amira Al-Sarraf,
Head of School

The vision for a New Horizon Peace Garden, established in 2016, grew out of a desire to develop a space that not only enriches student learning and inspires nature appreciation and environmental stewardship but also serves as a place to sow seeds of peace and understanding through community building.

Our Goals

Farm-to-Table

The garden promotes the understanding of growing food locally and developing healthy eating habits.
Students will learn how to grow different types of fruits, vegetables, and herbs to be used in cooking, sold in school sales, and donated to local food banks.

Environmental Stewardship and Nature Appreciation

In the beautiful garden, students will grow to appreciate nature and the bounties of the earth.
Students will develop their responsibility to protect and constructively use and sustain the earth’s resources.

STEM Proficiency

STEM refers to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Students will participate in a variety of learning activities that cultivate STEM proficiency.

Community-building

The Peace Garden offers the opportunity to sow the seeds of peace with one another and the community by building interfaith and educational partnerships and service learning initiatives.
Activities include community garden workshop days and donations of garden harvests to local organizations for the needy.

Meet our Learning Naturalist

Ms. Anais has skills in the following areas: Organic Gardening and Permaculture Techniques, Youth Education and Program Facilitation, Sustainable Urban Farming and Homesteading. Over the past 24 years, she has coordinated and led workshops on organic gardening, sustainable urban farming, healthy food systems, and hands-on garden learning. Since 2018, she has led programs at Occidental College on urban farming and food justice. Other local institutions have benefited from Ms. Anais’ knowledge and expertise including John Muir High School, Sequoyah High School, Westridge School, Kidspace, and Pasadena Library Summer Program. Ms. Anais has created joyful garden experiences for students at NHSP through our after-school Farm-to-Table program since 2013 and through our summer camp program.