Metropolitan Preparatory Academy Student Makeup: Enrolment and Class Size

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Metropolitan Preparatory Academy Student Body

Metropolitan Preparatory Academy is smaller than most of the schools we cover and welcomes both local and international students. It is coeducational, like many other private schools. Families and alumni describe the school’s student body as supportive, vibrant, and diverse, and highlight a culture of academic excellence and ambition.

Facts and analysis

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Total enrollment

120 students attend Metropolitan Preparatory Academy.

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Metropolitan Preparatory Academy (Metro Prep) has a smaller student body than 65% of all schools we cover.

Breakdown by grade

Grade	Enrollment
Grade	Metropolitan Preparatory Academy	Median of all other schools
Gr. 7	N/A	19
Gr. 8	N/A	20
Gr. 9	N/A	33
Gr. 10	N/A	36
Gr. 11	N/A	40
Gr. 12	N/A	40

Grade	Enrollment
Grade	Metropolitan Preparatory Academy
Gr. 7	N/A
Gr. 8	N/A
Gr. 9	N/A
Gr. 10	N/A
Gr. 11	N/A
Gr. 12	N/A

Why it matters

While some researchers have looked to uncover the "ideal" school size, these studies often generalize student preferences and behaviours. Your real goal is to find what best suits your child’s needs. Smaller schools can offer a school-wide sense of connection, while larger schools often provide broader programming and opportunities. Also, note that per-grade enrollment often tells a more meaningful story than total enrollment alone (read topic guide).

Gender

Both girls and boys attend.

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This makes Metropolitan Preparatory Academy (Metro Prep) like 90% of other schools we cover.

Why it matters

A school’s gender composition influences its social, academic, and extracurricular experiences. Coed schools often encourage collaboration across genders, while single-gender schools (all-boys or all-girls) may focus on specialized learning approaches (read topic guide).

International Students

5% of students come from outside Canada.

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See how this ranks Metropolitan Preparatory Academy (Metro Prep) below.

Why it matters

A diverse international student body offers opportunities for cultural exchange and a global perspective. These experiences can enhance your child’s understanding of different cultures and prepare them for a globalized world (read topic guide).

STUDENTS ON FINANCIAL AID

2% of students at Metropolitan Preparatory Academy receive financial aid.

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The percentage of students on financial aid at Metropolitan Preparatory Academy (Metro Prep) is higher than 62% of all schools we cover.

Breakdown by grade

Grade	Percentage of students on financial aid
Gr. 7	N/A
Gr. 8	N/A
Gr. 9	N/A
Gr. 10	N/A
Gr. 11	N/A
Gr. 12	N/A

Grade	Percentage of students on financial aid
Grade	Metropolitan Preparatory Academy
Gr. 7	N/A
Gr. 8	N/A
Gr. 9	N/A
Gr. 10	N/A
Gr. 11	N/A
Gr. 12	N/A

Why it matters

Financial aid reflects a school’s commitment to accessibility and socioeconomic diversity. These programs aim to create a richer community by bringing together students from varied backgrounds and experiences (read topic guide).

Qualitative insights

These insights are based on conversations with parents, alumni, and school leadership. Handpicked and curated by our editor, they offer a close look at how the school is experienced and perceived by those who know it best.

Students join a supportive and vibrant environment.

Observations from students and alumni indicate that the unique culture at Metropolitan Preparatory Academy, characterized by first-name interactions with teachers and a supportive, collaborative atmosphere, plays a pivotal role in fostering genuine connections and enhancing the overall educational experience.

Ever since I entered Metropolitan Preparatory Academy, everyone was friendly, and everyone just felt so approachable, which surprised me. At many schools, you feel a distinct feeling or vibe between the different grades. At Metro Prep you don't feel that. When I was in Grade 7, one of my best friends was graduating And it was a genuine friendship. I still keep in touch with people who graduated four, five, six years before me. I found that pretty surprising, but also pretty funny. As a senior, I felt like it was part of my responsibility to show the new Metro Prep students around. It was out of genuine care for them to excel and for them to like and adapt to the school environment.

—Haikun Liu, alum (2014-2019) (see full interview)

The personality of Metropolitan Preparatory Academy is unique, welcoming, and vibrant. If Metropolitan Preparatory Academy were a person, they would be a warm, sweet person that you just want to get to know and spend more time with. My first impression was that it was a very welcoming environment, which never changed throughout my time there. Everybody at Metropolitan Preparatory Academy was so welcoming. It didn't matter if you started in Grade 12 or been there since Grade 7, everybody wanted to get to know each other, and it was a very familial environment. I think that that's unique about Metro Prep compared to other schools. There weren't any cliques or groups at Metro Prep because the school was a close-knit student community.

—Danielle Perlon, alum (see full interview)

Dodgeball was like a cultural thing at Metropolitan Preparatory Academy. Everybody played dodgeball, and it was a great way to get to know people that aren't even in the same grade that could help you later on. We were all friends. It didn't matter what grade you were in.

—Danielle Perlon, alum (see full interview)

I was a peer tutor at Metropolitan Preparatory Academy. I tutored many kids, which was also a good way to get to know people in different grades.

—Danielle Perlon, alum (see full interview)

Something that a new student at Metropolitan Preparatory Academy might find surprising is how collaborative everyone is. Usually, when a school is so focused on academics, everyone's extremely competitive, but that was never the environment at Metro Prep. Of course, you wanted to do well, but no one would put someone else down to achieve that.

—Danielle Perlon, alum (see full interview)

Students at Metropolitan Preparatory Academy are very friendly, and strive to work together to be the best versions of ourselves. I had a great high school experience with incredible support from the staff members, which has shaped me as a leader and an independent person. Now I'm in a sorority, and I have a leadership position in that sorority that I don't think I could have taken on without having the experience from Metro Prep. I don't think that I would have instilled in myself the same perseverance. I don't think I would have persevered through being online this whole university year during Covid if it wasn't for the hard work and perseverance that I had in Metro Prep that the teachers instilled in me.

—Danielle Perlon, alum (see full interview)

There are also plenty of clubs and sports teams that really bring our community together. During my time at Metro Prep, the arts program, called the Smith Program, was very active around the school. We did an annual school play, hosted concert nights and did field trips to the ballet and such. So I would say that an appreciation for the arts is another thing that really connects Metro Prep students.

—Alexis Gashyna, alum (see full interview)

My son is an introvert, but he hit the ground running on day one at Metro Prep, which was a big surprise to us. Usually, he would settle in a new environment gradually, but at Metro Prep, the transition was swift and smooth. We think his comfort with Metro Prep was because of the culture.

—Wei Su, parent (see full interview)

My children have very different interests and they have both been able to pursue their interests–that's what's fantastic about Metro Prep. My son was able to take part in all the sports that the school offered, and be part of many teams, and yet keep a very, very high academic average. My daughter, very artistically inclined, was part of the Smith program, while still loving math and science, and excelling at those.

—Theda Zigomanis, parent (see full interview)

Three things other parents should know about Metro Prep are: one, the teachers are phenomenal. Two, It's a small private school, so it offers a really intimate environment for your children to learn as well. And, three, the central location. It's located at a very convenient spot.

—Theda Zigomanis, parent (see full interview)

One common aspect that many families appreciate is our reputation for genuinely caring for each student. Some students may have learning issues like dyslexia or attention deficit, and we provide the necessary support, ensuring they can join clubs that suit their interests or receive help in areas where they are lagging. Families feel safe sending their kids to our school because we pay close attention to every student, creating a positive and inclusive culture.

—Ryan Seeley, Principal (see full interview)

We don't have a lot of student conflicts, primarily due to our small school enrollment which means there are fewer issues to deal with. When a student joins Metro, we have a code of conduct that they are required to read and sign. We maintain a safe and secure environment, addressing any issues promptly with the necessary investigations to understand the situation better. The atmosphere is professional, and teachers enjoy working here, which significantly reduces the occurrence of conflicts.

—Ryan Seeley, Principal (see full interview)

A lot of our students tell us that Metro becomes their second home. The school environment is friendly and caring, creating a homely atmosphere where students can leave their home troubles at the door. The school's physical surroundings also contribute to this, being warm and inviting. The faculty maintains a harmonious relationship, ensuring that students do not witness conflicts that can sometimes occur in smaller settings.

—Ryan Seeley, Principal (see full interview)

Metro focuses on developing leadership skills and self-confidence in students. They encourage making connections across different age groups. The small class sizes ensure no one graduates without friends, and keeps family-like connections.

—Stephanie, alum (see full discussion)

My experience at Metro Prep is something I will remember and be grateful for for the rest of my life moving forward. The amount of care and support I felt from my teachers and classmates was something that I never experienced at any of my previous schools. Because the school is small, students have the opportunity to connect with every teacher (whether you take their class or not), as well as students within all grades. I do feel the school prepared me well for my life now and university does not seem as overwhelming as I thought it would be. There is nothing I would change because I could not have asked for a better school experience. I still miss Metro and come back to visit when I have the chance.

—Stephanie Ivanoff, alum (2013-2019) (see full review)

There is a culture of academic excellence and ambition.

Feedback from the school community indicates that Metro Prep fosters a rigorous academic atmosphere aimed at preparing students for university success, driven by a shared goal of academic achievement and career readiness.

A common trait among all my friends from Metropolitan Preparatory Academy is that they can excel in their environment at university and college.

—Haikun Liu, alum (2014-2019) (see full interview)

My advice to new students, like I said earlier, is to remember that Metro Prep is a preparatory academy with the end-goal of getting you into your desired university. As a student, you have to work hard, go to class, keep up with your school work, of course. Additionally, I'd recommend joining a sports team or a club. Metro Prep is such an incredible opportunity. I would recommend taking full advantage of that. The school is full of intelligent and ambitious individuals.

—Alexis Gashyna, alum (see full interview)

I haven't met all of the families of the Metro Prep students, but I believe that the typical family is like me, in terms of wanting their child to aspire to get into university, one of the best universities, if possible, and then succeeding at the university. Other than that, I'm not sure what other similarities the families would have, but I think the goal is academic success and career success after university.

—Mishma Gashyna, parent (see full interview)

In university, I was able to keep in touch with the teachers that I was closest to at Metropolitan Preparatory Academy. It feels like a safety net for me because I have a support system, even after graduating from Metro Prep. The same thing goes with all of my friends. Just this morning, I was FaceTiming for two hours with my best friend, just catching up and talking. Every time we have a break, everyone gets back together, and we all hang out. You really do feel like you build that support network at Metro Prep. I find this quality evident in everyone who's graduated from Metro Prep, the ability to handle difficulties and obstacles that come your way because of the independence you've learned at school.

—Haikun Liu, alum (2014-2019) (see full interview)

The community is inclusive and diverse.

Comments from students, parents, and alumni reveal that Metro Prep stands out for its rich diversity and inclusive environment, providing a truly welcoming and global experience for its community.

The level of diversity at Metropolitan Preparatory Academy was incredible. We had students from so many different backgrounds, which was extremely eye-opening, having come from a small community beforehand. The principal has this love and passion for education, which helps the teachers.

—Danielle Perlon, alum (see full interview)

Something that I think prospective families would find surprising, something that I found surprising when I first walked into Metro Prep, was the amount of diversity. As a person of color, it's so comforting to be able to walk into a place and see people who look like you, people who you can identify with in the student population, but also in the staff, it really made me feel like I belonged there. Metro Prep was so accepting and beautifully diverse, and it's one of those things that I just love about it.

—Alexis Gashyna, alum (see full interview)

We're really grateful that my son got the opportunity to experience multiculturalism at such a young age, which will benefit him for years to come. Metro Prep values academic excellence, teamwork, and diversity. The school draws students from a wide range of demographics, so students experience embracing multiculturalism and diversity. When my son applied for university, he wrote in his application essays about his friends from different countries, backgrounds, and cultures, and how multiculturalism shaped his values and who he is.

—Wei Su, parent (see full interview)

From my observations, there's no typical family at Metro Prep families, because it feels like a mini United Nations. But, at the end of the day, they are families that care about students' learning, particularly academic excellence.

—Wei Su, parent (see full interview)

What surprised me most about the school was the opportunity to meet students from all around the world, actually. My kids have met people from different parts of the world. They've gone to school with them. They've built relationships with them. They continue to build relationships with them. And that was one of the most surprising things about Metro Prep.

—Theda Zigomanis, parent (see full interview)

I guess about 98% of students stay with us until they graduate in Grade 12. Even if students join us in the later grades, they quickly adapt and become a part of the inclusive and fun environment we offer. They are encouraged to participate in various activities, forming bonds and enjoying a full experience. Students who join later also find themselves immersed and feeling like a true Metro prep kid.

—Ryan Seeley, Principal (see full interview)

The relationships we formed at Metro Prep mirrored the school's diversity. I made friends from all over the world, creating a diverse circle that enhanced my worldview and influenced who I am today.

—Stephanie, alum (see full discussion)

The diverse student body at Metro creates a rich environment for personal growth. It cultivates an understanding space, even for those students, who might be unclear about their future paths.

—Stephanie, alum (see full discussion)

Something that stands out to me the most is that students who go to Metro are from all over the world. This made me learn a lot about different cultures and lifestyles and I am grateful I got to spend most of my secondary education with people from all walks of life. The school is smaller, compared to other schools I have attended. There were around two 250 students. This size is small but it gives the opportunity for students of all grades to talk to one another. Students at Metro were very friendly and willing to talk to one another, and there weren’t really any “cliques” in the school. I also found that when I was there, all of the students were extremely caring, and we all wanted to help each other succeed, rather than compete with one another.

—Stephanie Ivanoff, alum (2013-2019) (see full review)

Metro Prep is the most inclusive school I have ever been a part of. I have never met a group of teachers and facilities that are so interested in me and my education. I absolutely love the school and the people that are a part of it. I wish the school was bigger, but with the school being small it makes it part of its charm and so loveable. I was kind of thrown in with my brother, but as time went on I grew to love the school and all the people inside of it. Something about the school I would change would be the fact that there isn't really a focus on female sports as there are male sports. The school focuses more the male sports, but if there was more attention to the female sports they would get some more attention from female athletes from all around in my opinion. Overall the school is amazing and I think a great opportunity for any student who is able to attend.

—Lindsay Demagus, student (beginning 2016) (see full review)

The school is very diverse with the different students they have. The school also gets a lot of international students, predominantly from Asia, but that doesn't really make a difference when people are getting to know each other. There are a lot of different students that come from all around Ontario to attend the school. The school is more like a town than a city. Everyone knows everyone and usually they all talk to each other. I think any student that is willing to put in the work and not be lazy can succeed in the school. When you continuously slack off and not do any work, you can not expect the best of grades. Everyone is included in everything, it is just a matter of whether or not they will get themselves involved.

—Lindsay Demagus, student (beginning 2016) (see full review)

Progress and improvement is a shared goal.

Comments from the school community indicate that Metro Prep's modern and progressive approach, including co-educational settings and personalised curricula, appeals to students looking for a non-traditional, forward-thinking educational experience.

What attracted me to Metropolitan Preparatory Academy was the people, both the students and the teachers. It wasn’t like a traditional private school. I know many private schools in Canada, they require uniforms, there's a very tightly packed schedule, and there's a division between students and teachers. The division was something I didn't feel at Metro Prep. For instance, we all refer to our teachers by their first names. I think that's a very unconventional thing, but it's very good on an educational basis because it allows students to feel like they're not learning underneath someone but learning with someone. That was one of the key things that made me choose Metro Prep.

—Haikun Liu, alum (2014-2019) (see full interview)

The type of student who might not enjoy Metro would be someone looking for a large school with many students, big hallways, and rooms, or a more traditional school model with a long history and uniform requirements. Metro is a small, close-knit school with personalised classrooms and curriculum. We aim to remain modern and progressive, instead of holding onto older traditions, though we do have our traditions.

—Ryan Seeley, Principal (see full interview)

Our students enjoy the co-educational setting, because it mirrors the real world where they will work with various kinds of people. If a student is seeking a more traditional old school environment, they might not find Metro to their liking as we do not adhere to older customs like uniforms. At Metro, students who are seeking something different find what they are looking for.

—Ryan Seeley, Principal (see full interview)

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Metropolitan Preparatory Academy Student Body

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Insider community voices

Danielle Perlon

Theda Zigomanis

Theda Zigomanis