Our SMITH Program
Metro Prep Academy’s SMITH program has been 15 years in the making. Artistic Director and founder, Ryan Seeley has been teaching talented students, grades 7 through 12, acting, directing, music, and the humanities at Metro since 2001.
This new, specialized arts initiative offers students the opportunity to deeply explore their creative talents while studying at one of Toronto’s most unique and respected independent schools. SMITH students have access to all that Metro Prep has to offer academically, while being immersed in a broad spectrum of arts classes (Music, Media Arts, Visual Arts, Theatre and Film) taught by experienced professionals in their respective fields. In a conservatory-like setting, each student follows a path that inevitably leads to the discovery of their own artistic voice.
Along the way, they are exposed to the imaginations of the world’s greatest thinkers, writers, leaders, and historians through Metro Prep’s enriched humanities programming. This unique approach integrates the academic and the artistic like no other school in the country.
“Medicine, law, business, engineering: these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love...these are what we stay alive for.”
-Mr. Keating, Dead Poets Society
Download our booklet for an overview of the SMITH Program, browse our gallery, and visit the rest of our SMITH pages for more details.
Acceptance into SMITH is based on an audition/portfolio and interview. Auditions are held throughout the year and are by appointment only.
Prospective students who thrive in one or more artistic fields can apply for merit based SMITH Scholarships. Merit-based entrance scholarships for Canadian residents range from $1,000 to $20,000.
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Contact Us
For more information please contact smith @ metroprep.com.
Beyond SMITH
Essential to a great education is the opportunity to explore the connections between the classroom and the real world. For over 35 years, Metro Prep has been expanding students’ minds through immersive field trips, world-class productions, and professional industry collaboration. Whether it is under the bright lights of Broadway or under the stars above Tanzania, showing our students the world is something we do well.
At the heart of SMITH is a love and understanding of the importance of the arts in all our lives which is why SMITH is also designed as a place for students who want to pursue careers in STEM-related fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). We believe that no matter the destination, all of us are enriched by the arts in our education.
Throughout all subjects, Metro Prep also places an emphasis on preparation for post-secondary education and has helped 98% of graduates gain entrance into the University/College of their choice.
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
-Pablo Picasso
Wayne McKelvey, founder and principal at Metro Prep Academy, knows that “many people underestimate the importance of the arts in our lives. At our school, we do not.”
Ryan Seeley is the Vice Principal and founder of SMITH - Metro Prep Academy’s new School of Music, Integrated Arts, Theatre and Humanities in Toronto. He has been teaching the Arts and Humanities at Metro Prep since 2001. Prior to this, Ryan earned his Master’s degree in Drama at the University of Toronto. He is a graduate of the British American Drama Academy at Oxford University, U.K. and received his Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Guelph. Outside of teaching, Ryan is a professional actor, director and musician and lives with his daughter, Scarlett and his wife, Courtney in Hamilton.