What is the story behind North America’s best-kept enrichment secret?
For over 30 years, Brain Power has transformed educational enrichment in Canada. Founded by mathematician Dr. Reuven Rashkovsky (PhD, Sorbonne University), who identified critical gaps in conventional education: a lack of rigorous problem-solving, analytical reasoning, and creative thinking development. Together with a dedicated team, they created a methodology that consistently produced graduates who secured admissions to elite universities while developing a genuine love of learning.
What began as intimate mathematical gatherings evolved into a waitlist phenomenon. Today, under CEO Vanessa Iarocci’s leadership, Brain Power has grown to 11 campuses with faculty from Harvard, Moscow State University, MIT, Waterloo, Berkeley, and Toronto—all committed to education that transcends conventional boundaries.
While other education providers focus on test preparation, computational drills, contest cramming, or remedial support, Brain Power has pioneered “intellectual enrichment”—a category of its own that develops how students think, not just what they memorize. Through three distinct disciplines—Mathematics & Problem Solving, Language Arts, and Public Speaking—Brain Power employs thoughtful dialogue to help bright, curious students become independent thinkers who question assumptions, make connections across fields, and experience the genuine satisfaction of intellectual discovery.
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1989-2019
From Basement Sessions to Educational Innovation
Dr. Rashkovsky’s early classes took a different approach from conventional after-school mathematics programs by focusing on critical thinking, logical reasoning, and creativity. As this philosophy expanded to include language arts and public speaking, his students developed the capacity to think both critically and creatively across subjects. Unlike competitors confined to classroom settings, Brain Power incorporated laboratories, field trips, and real-world experiences into its curriculum—recognizing that learning happens most powerfully when connected to the world beyond textbooks. Families seeking more comprehensive development for their children created a steady stream of applicants interested in this distinctive approach.
2020
Transforming Crisis into Opportunity
- While many programs struggled during COVID, Brain Power’s creative approach adapted well to virtual learning. As worksheet-focused competitors found it difficult to engage students through screens, Brain Power’s virtual classrooms maintained active intellectual engagement. This digital adaptation allowed the program to welcome students previously separated by geography, demonstrating the flexibility of its educational model.
2021
Refining Educational Foundations
- The addition of three former education directors and notable executives to Brain Power’s Board of Advisors provided valuable perspective on education needs and resources to support bright and talented students. Vanessa Iarocci worked with Dr. Rashkovsky and Jennifer Prisker to enhance the mathematics program, integrating more hands-on concepts from NASA scientists into a curriculum that developed both analytical skills and creative thinking—bringing this approach to students as young as Grade 1.
2021
Supporting Well-Rounded Development
- Recognizing the importance of application beyond the classroom, Dr. Adam Richter created a support system that connected students with over 50 academic competitions. Brain Power’s initiatives in arts, sports, and cultural events reflected its belief that intellectual growth is enhanced by creative expression and community engagement—a comprehensive approach distinct from programs focused primarily on in-class computational skills.
2022
A Landmark Achievement in North Toronto
- The opening of Brain Power’s North Toronto campus at Prosserman JCC marked a watershed moment in the organization’s growth. Under Dr. Stacy Costa and Kaitlin Ruether’s leadership, this location has exceeded enrollment projections. Simultaneously, Dr. Jenn Chenkin transformed the Public Speaking Academy after consulting with media professionals, negotiation experts, debate champions, and communication specialists to develop Canada’s first advanced public speaking academy —helping hesitant children become confident communicators. As Brain Power gained recognition in multiple media sources including The Globe and Mail, its focus on developing independent thinking rather than pattern recognition became more widely appreciated.
2022
Digital Transformation
- Dr. Jason Boulet developed a digital infrastructure, with leading experts, that connected all campuses into a cohesive network, allowing students to access specialized instruction across locations. For faculty, this system created varied teaching opportunities that leveraged their expertise throughout the Brain Power community. For students, this meant seamless access to curriculum and programs across the Brain Power learning community network.
2022
Expanding Beyond the GTA
- Brain Power established its first campus outside the Greater Toronto Area at Oakville’s Appleby College under the direction of Dr. Cassandra Chapman. The program quickly became integrated into the Oakville community through sponsorship of the Oakville Theatre for the Performing Arts and partnerships with the City of Oakville on key community initiatives. This warm welcome demonstrated that Brain Power’s educational philosophy resonated well beyond its original boundaries, with the new campus thriving as it adapted to the unique character of the Oakville community.
2023
Building an Integrated Learning Network
- As Brain Power expanded to Downtown Toronto at Miles Nadal JCC, it continued creating cohesive learning environments united by shared educational values. While growing rapidly, each campus operated as part of a seamless whole rather than separate entities, incorporating complementary schedules of laboratories, theatre visits, and expert workshops—continuing Brain Power’s tradition of extending learning beyond classroom walls. Sarah Meehan’s “Think Like a Genius” podcast extended Brain Power’s approach to an even wider audience, reflecting the program’s commitment to accessible learning.
2023
Collaborating with Public Education
- Moving beyond a proprietary approach, Brain Power partnered with the Toronto Catholic District School Board, sharing its methods for developing critical thinking within the public education system. This collaboration—which received grant support—reflected Brain Power’s interest in improving educational opportunities broadly, not just for its enrolled students.
2024
Expanding Academic Recognition and Validation
- Responding to growing parent and student demand for Brain Power’s unique approach, new learning communities formed in Midtown Toronto at De La Salle College under Dr. Stacy Costa and Kaitlin Ruether, Markham at York University Innovation Park (Y Space) with Dr. Ryan Fics, and Etobicoke at Kingsway College School led by Dr. Cassandra Chapman. This organic growth coincided with Brain Power’s designation as an American Mathematics Competition host, validating years of mathematical innovation. Jennifer Pritsker and Vanessa Iarocci’s partnership with the University of Toronto’s Robertson Program at OISE brought Brain Power’s methods into teacher training for Inquiry-Based Teaching in Mathematics and Science, distributing these pedagogical innovations to educators around the world.
2025
Education for the AI Generation
- New learning communities in Richmond Hill at Holy Trinity School under Hannah Merchant and Mississauga at Toronto French School under Dr. Oscar Jarzmik emerged in response to growing recognition that traditional enrichment approaches are increasingly outdated in an AI-dominated world. While many programs continue focusing on content memorization or narrowly-defined computational skills that AI systems have already mastered, Brain Power’s methodology has always emphasized the uniquely human capabilities that will define success in the coming decades: creative problem-solving, conceptual thinking, interdisciplinary connections, ethical reasoning, and persuasive communication. Students from across North America now participate in the Brain Power Math Olympiad, Spelling Bee, Public Speaking Championship, and Creative Writing Contest—each designed to develop and celebrate these essential human capabilities.
“Brain Power provided me with more than just the knowledge and skills required to succeed. The greatest lesson that I learned from Brain Power was about how to acquire knowledge and skills. Having learned to learn, I was capable of achieving much more… Much of my accomplishment is thanks to the hard work that the teachers at Brain Power have put in, and I still miss having two hours (or more) a week of amazing lessons. Thanks Brain Power!”
- Lev Raizman University of Waterloo, Computer Science Edwin Anderson National Scholarship, President’s Scholarship of Distinction
“I still frequently think about how Brain Power has helped me in my academic career. I owe Brain Power a big thank you!”
- Dr Allen Vorobeichik Calgary Emergency Medicine
“This is how you change the world – by convincing other people to believe in your ideas and by showing them that you can be a leader.”
- Dr Jenn Chenkin, Brain Power Director, Language Arts and Public Speaking Instructor
“Attending Brain Power’s public speaking class definitely aided in my university application process. The class boosted my confidence and improved my communication skills, enhancing my ability to effectively lead and network in my leadership positions at various organizations. Additionally, the class introduced me to the New York Times Podcast Competition, which I became a finalist in, all thanks to their support.”
- Chelsea Wong Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science Johns Hopkins University
“I can’t think of a more important challenge to devote myself to than supporting students in achieving their full potential in life. In Brain Power, I see a true disruptor of enrichment education for high-achieving students and an opportunity to make a lasting impact.”
- Vanessa Iarocci, CEO
“Brain Power’s a place where the mind is allowed to transcend the confines of daily life and explore the vastness of what is possible.“
- Andrew Zhao
University of Toronto Operations Research Challenge (second place)
Betz Entrance Scholarship for Electrical and Computer Engineering
Edward S Rogers Sr Admissions Scholarship
“Brain Power has undoubtedly made a huge difference in my education and provided me with many unique opportunities.”
- Amy Bagrin,
U of T National Book Award
U of T Dean's Merit Award for $5,000
U of T Civil Engineering Top Applicant
“I love the fact that Brain Power offers collaborative environments that enable faster, broader, and more effective learning than anything I ever had in traditional public school classrooms.”
- Kevin Huang,
B.Math, University of Waterloo,
Computer Science, Statistics, Economics
Data Scientist for Instagram/Facebook
“As a student who attended Brain Power for six years, I can confidently attest to the phenomenal learning experience fostered there. Brain Power unites an amazing body of staff & students with an unprecedented curriculum, creating an environment in which students develop the skills to thrive academically.”
- Jane Illarionova
Software Engineer, Microsoft
