The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts

We are a groundbreaking independent school located just south of Washington, DC, serving students in grades 7-12 and gap year.
The Academy at Metropolitan School of the Arts prepares students for a rewarding future in college, career and life by offering an accredited college preparatory academic program alongside a conservatory-style performing arts training program in the areas of dance, music and theater.
Our methodology encourages a nurturing, supportive and inspiring culture where students earn the confidence to propel themselves toward reaching their highest potential.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked VA School
  • Grades: 7-12
  • Enrollment: 26 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $23,750
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 8 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 6
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for:

Category
Attribute

School Overview

Grades Offered
Grades 7-12
Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Learning Programs Supported
Mild Learning Differences
Year Founded
2013

Student Body

Total Students
26 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
20%
State avg.: 31%
Students by Grade
The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers
18 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
1:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
75%
Average Class Size
8 students
Number of AP Courses
19 courses
Advanced Courses
Art History, Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, European History, French Language and Culture, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Physics, Psychology, Spanish Language, Statistics, US Government and Politics, US History, World History
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline
Feb. 6
Yearly Tuition Cost
Tuition Notes
Middle School - $22,100 High School - $23,750 Gap Year Semester Only - $13,800 Gap Year Full Year - $25,200 Total varies based upon academic course selection.
Acceptance Rate
60%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Louise Hislop

Sports

Total Sports Offered
2 sports
Sports

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
5 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Arts and Music Programs:
Acting and Theater, Dance, Music Lessons, Music Theater, Vocal Music and Vocal Performance

School Notes

  • Metropolitan School of the Arts is a the only private performing arts high school in the Washington, DC area. Each year, we offer training in dance, music and theater to some of the nation`s most inquisitive, curious and motivated young artists. We offer a middle school program for students in grades 7-8 and a conservatory style training program for grades 9-12.
  • All students will be surrounded and supported by equally passionate and invested students, facutly, visiting artists, and staff, with whom they`ll collaborate and learn in the classroom, the studio, and on stage. Our dedicated faculty members are seasoned professionals who are deeply connected to the performing arts community in Washington, D.C. and beyond. With their guidance, students perfect their skills and develop a framework for understanding both their craft and the vital role that arts play in enriching cultures and strengthening communities.
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Ben Cook - Ben Cook appeared on Broadway in Ragtime, Billy Elliot the Musical (for which he was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award), Tuck Everlasting, Mean Girls, and West Side Story. He has also performed in two Broadway national tours, Billy Elliot the Musical and Newsies the Musical, and appeared on television in episodes of 30 Rock, House of Cards, Veep, Law & Order: SVU, and in the HBO film Paterno. He most recently appeared as a Jet in the 2021 film version of West Side Story and as Henry in the HBO Max horror series Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin.
    • Elpidia Voyas - Elpidia Voyas has danced for the Houston Ballet Academy, the European School of Ballet, and the Dutch National Ballet. She was cast as a corp de ballet member in the film "Piece of My Heart" and had 10-14 hour shoot days for 3 weeks straight! Elpida was also chosen to be a part of the first live performance in the Netherlands post country-wide lockdown: Igone Danst Door, a piece honoring the retirement of Igone de Jongh, principal dancer with the Het Nationale Ballet for over 20 years. Elpida was one of four dancers on stage, performing 10 shows at the historical Royal Theatre Carre.
    • Ben Cherington - Ben Cherington is a 2020 graduate of Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama in Pittsburgh, PA, where he was a recipient of the Adelyne Roth Levine Memorial Award in acting. His credits include Pittsburgh CLO, ACT of Connecticut, Clinton Showboat Theatre, and currently the national tour of Les Misérables.
    • Ben Rudisin - Houston Ballet, Apprentice, Houston, TX, and successful completion of the first round of auditions for the Prix de Lausanne ballet competition in Switzerland.
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts cost?
The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts's tuition is approximately $23,750 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts?
The acceptance rate of The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts is 60%, which is lower than the national average of 83%. The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Virginia with low acceptance rates.
Who are famous alumni from The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts?
The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts famous alumni include: Ben Cook, Elpidia Voyas, Ben Cherington and Ben Rudisin.
What sports does The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts offer?
The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts offers 2 interscholastic sports: Ballet and Dance.
What is The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts's ranking?
The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for: Lowest average acceptance rates and Most AP courses offered.
When is the application deadline for The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts?
The application deadline for The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts is Feb. 6.

School Calendar

View the The Academy @ Metropolitan School of the Arts yearly calendar below.

School Reviews

  5.00 out of 5  (9 reviews)
5  
I have had a great experience as a student at MSA! In just a few months I have improved tremendously in all of my classes. The staff is both knowledgeable and kind, creating a very safe environment and encouraging students to grow. The students are welcoming and supportive of their classmates. I could not recommend MSA more!
- Posted by
5  
My son is currently a 7th grader at The Academy at Metropolitan Arts. He`s started as an actor but is a dance novice; they have done everything to accommodate him and make him feel successful. The teachers have high standards but are supportive, and the academic support has been amazing! The individual attention my son has received has been fantastic. If your child is a dance, musical theater, or young actor/performer, this is a great place to continue education, while in a rigorous arts education program.
- Posted by
5  
I am so proud to be an alumnae parent of an Academy student from the Metropolitan School of the Arts. For my daughter, the school offered the combination of academic rigor along with so many incredible opportunities for training in dance, music, and theatre. She`s now pursuing her BFA in dance performance at one of the top ballet schools in the country, while also just being cast in a theater performance as a sophomore. She went to college well prepared and we are so grateful.
- Posted by
5  
Never has my child felt so special, loved, and respected! She is challenged in her art classes and supported in her academics. I was worried that online learning would be challenging but with the excellent support of the in-person teachers, my daughter has excelled. MSA is a fit for us and we are happy we found it.
- Posted by
5  
My daughter is doing 9th grade at MSA and we are very happy that she is a part of the Academy because it is an excellent art school.
- Posted by
5  
My son is a senior at MSA. They offer a rigorous program with fantastic instructors and a supportive staff.
- Posted by
5  
Upon retiring as head of a well respected university music theater training program, I came to the Metropolitan school of the arts to develop their new gap year/post graduate program.I`d been introduced to the school five years earlier when I was asked to give a master class to the students. I was so impressed with the collegiate level of teaching that when I had the opportunity to join the faculty I did so. This is an exciting community of teachers and learners, the students are of the highest caliber, talented, disciplined and a joy to work with. They are what I like to call self competitive. Very competitive, yet openly supportive of their colleagues. Not only is the arts training world class, the academics are right there working along side the dance, music and theater faculty.
- Posted by
5  
My child has attended the Academy for 4 years and it has been such a blessing for our family. She has learned how to work hard in academics and her arts classes. She has learned how to work with and support those around her. She has learned how to combine grit with social responsibility.
- Posted by
5  
My daughter graduated from the Academy at MSA in 2017 and is thriving in the performing arts college of her choice with a 3.9 GPA! MSA is a fabulous pre-professional conservatory school.
- Posted by

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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Top Ranked VA School
  • Grades: 7-12
  • Enrollment: 26 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $23,750
  • Acceptance rate: 60%
  • Average class size: 8 students
  • Application Deadline: Feb. 6
  • Source: Verified school update

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Alexandria, VA is $26,772 for elementary schools and $40,120 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Alexandria, VA is 68% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

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