Metropolitan Arts Institute in Phoenix, Arizona

“The staff at Metro Art is dedicated to helping students excel in arts and academics. They actually have a relationship with their students and cheer them on when they do good work!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I LOVE Metropolitan Arts Institute because it's one of a kind and my home away from home. It's my Senior year and I've grown so much as a person, student, and artist during my years at Metro. They're consistent in creating changes but money is always a factor of course holding them back.”
This review was posted by a student.

“Metro Arts is the first job I have ever had that has integrated into my life seamlessly. It is part of my life and not just a job. Everyday I am grateful for the spirit, drive and adventure found at our school. It is a place where individuals are taught to become. I am thankful for it and what it has done for the students who are lucky enough to attend.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“As the mother of a very intelligent and creative young lady with a huge heart whom, to this point, has developed little to no self confidence (yet!), I can not thank you enough for the spirit of acceptance, possibility, and passion that each and every one of you foster and promote at the school. Not since early elementary level has she come home from school every day with experiences that she is eager to share with me. One stand out was her description of the social atmosphere 'There aren't lots of cliques, like at my old school; here it's more like one big clique that everyone is in'. Another standout was when I picked her up 45 minutes late. 'This is the first school where I like hanging out after. I don't even care that you are late!' She has come home and told me about every class; her teachers, the snowballs, being 'freshmen pennied' (she was thrilled), how healthy eating habits are promoted-and backed up by choices offered on campus, the kids that she is meeting, and on one night she even challenged me to a multiplication race!!! Overconfident, I 'took it easy' on her and she smoked me:-). Her assignments thus far promote critical thinking and self awareness along with vocabulary words and sentence structure - you guys rock! Metro Arts takes education 'outside the box' and into real life for a population that have the potential to make a huge difference in the lives of others. Do any of you remember the video by Blind Melon for 'No Rain', especially the scene where the little bumble bee finds her own kind and is happy dancing among them? That is the image that keeps playing in my head and heart as reference to my daughter being in your school.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Yes, there are many good things to say about Metro. It is a small community with great visual and performing arts teachers who are passionate about the arts. However, trying to get any sort of cooperation from the school on an issue (from credits to scheduling to extra-curricular activities) is impossible. The academics are sub-par and the academic teachers have something to be desired. Many teachers are inexperienced and some are quite rude, to be honest. I'm glad my son found a school to explore his artistic creativity, but I wish the school was as enthusiastic about my son's learning experience as he is...”
This review was posted by a parent.

“An amazing experience for my child. Challenging, with superior educators. No problem students to get in the way of learning. Both visual and performing art teachers are world class. Students are getting into top notch schools. The best.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Great academic prograhm and arts prograhm”
This review was posted by a student.

“As an educator at Metro Arts, I am a little biased regarding my review, but I have been at Metro Arts from the second year it opened, and I can tell you, from my experience, teaching at Metro Arts has been a dream come true. To be able to experience the growth , character development of these young people has been a remarkable adventure, and an artist's/educators dream. The administration and staff are not only professionals, but quality human beings. In education, there will always be issues with staffing, discipline, and quality, but I've watched the expert way in which these issues have been dealt with over the years, and I can personally share that there has never been a time that the education a student gets at Metro Arts has ever been compromised. Quite simply, the best school for the arts in the state.”
This review was posted by a staff.

“I'm a graduate of Metro (class of 2005) and I have to say, switching from an anonymous public school to Metro Arts half-way through my sophomore year was the best decision I ever made. Instead of being a faceless number at a public school, I was embraced and well-educated. The staff are wonderful (each a professional in their trade), and the small student count is perfect for not only one-on-one interaction with the staff, but for the sense of community. Being an artist surrounded by artists is a beautiful inspiration. If there was one thing I would change about my history at Metro, it would be not waiting until sophomore year to switch! I highly recommend it to any student who really wants to flourish not only as an artist, but as a person.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“My daughter is a freshman at Metro Arts this year and it has been a very enjoyable experience for us. After have attended two of the Valley's other performing arts schools, including ASA, her spirit and confidence had been broken. Not only has the staff at Metro went above and beyond to help her adjust and become a member of the Metro family but I could not ask for a better bunch of kids for her to call friends! Never have I stepped foot on the Metro campus and not been greeted warmly by the staff, parents, and students. Thank you Metro for giving us a place to call home and we consider all you family. We look forward to three more wonderful years with you!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“After my child attended one semester and had teachers in academic areas that lacked teaching skill, we changed to a public high school. Her credits did not count because Metro is a charter school. Unless your child is going to go all four years to Metro, be warned that they will have not earned credits for graduation! We left because the academics [were] very weak, and staff were unequipped to teach subjects they were assigned. It was disappointing, as my child wants to go to college and this school cost her one semester of credits. Wish I'd known that in advance!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am a parent of a freshman. We looked forward to my child going to Metro. We are disappointed with the poor academics, beginner teachers, lack of tutoring, and academic accountability related to extracurricular activities. Very disappointed, and thinking of changing schools. On the good side, it is small and creative expression is huge there. But college prep? No way. Scholarship help? No. Most of the staff is excellent, very into the kids and their electives. But the academics are weak, little to no homework, and assistance for kids that need academic help is non-existent. I wish I could say it was a wise choice, but it has not turned out as we had hoped. My child will have had the art school experience, however, it worries me about her high school success as the school now stands. Academics are too weak to help kids succeed toward college.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“We have been looking forward to our son attending Metropolitan Art Inst. based on input from previous students. He is now a freshman and so far our experience has been wonderful. Our son is very happy and so are we.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Metro keeps getting better and better each year! I have had the privilege of being involved for the last eight years (Two children) I have watched the school mature and grow both artistically and academically. If you are looking for a school that addresses both the academics and arts, without behavior problems, Metro is the Place for you!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I am currently a senior this year at Metro Arts. I have been to several schools including: Veritas College Prepatory Academy, Saint Mary's, and Shadow Mountain. I have to say this is the best highschool for any student inclined to the arts. And as for Veritas' alleged best ranking in the valley, they lack the artistic freedom found here at Metro. Metro has the educators and the enviornment needed for sucess. From personally experiences it is truly Phoenix's best Arts Highschool!”
This review was posted by a student.

“I just graduated from Metro this spring, and it has been the best experience of my young 18 years. In my 2 and 1/2 years attending I felt like I was actually part of something amazing, and when I walked down the aisle at graduation, I knew it for a fact. I met so many different kinds of people, and now have a very diverse group of friends. The teachers treat you like a human and a peer, not a rating or paycheck. Before Metro I was a complete mess in all aspects of my life. I became social, and I tapped into talents I had no idea I had. And now, I can thank the school and the wonderful teachers [Thank you Simms and Shurtz!] for bringing me out of my shell. I wish I could re-enroll as a freshman!”
This review was posted by a former student.

“My daughter has attended Metro arts for 3 years and will graduate in the spring. We have been pleases with the quality of her education, the excellent arts programs and the staff.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I've worked at Metro Arts for 2 years and really enjoy the entire faculty and student body! It's a great place for both students and faculty.”
This review was posted by a administrator.

“My daughter attended Metro Arts in juniour year and is continuing on into her Senior year, after spending 2 years at Arizona School for the Arts and 1 year at shadow mountain. Her experience at Metro has been great..it is truly an envoronment which caters to the student artist. She has had more success here than with any otherschool she's attended!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Sending my daughter to Metro was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The education was excellent, the faculty, administration and staff were always engaged and helpful. The opportunity to integrate the various areas of art she excels in was a real boost to her overall education.”
This review was posted by a parent.

“Awesome teachers and faculty. Great school for an 'Art Jock'. Multiple visual and performing art classes to include college prep classes. Our son is thriving!”
This review was posted by a parent.

“I thought that Metro Arts was an awesome school. I was exposed to more possibilities in the fields of careers that I was thinking about for my future. Not only are the teachers great but they give you more of a chance to fully understand than in a over-populated class where the teacher can barely see you raising your hand. I met alot of different peole while being there. At other schools kids were in their own 'groups'. Over at Metro everyone talked to just about everyone< and because thee ws so few people everyone, including teachers, could easily remember who everyone else is. I had an awesome time while I was there. I would totally recomend it for any high school student that is looking to study art, and get away from the crowds of public schools.”
This review was posted by a former student.

“This school has a great philosophy of education. Art classes are the electives and there are plenty of them. Still, the emphasize is the overall education of the student. This 'overall' education covers the reading, writing and math portions of the high school curriculum. The students are given the freedom to learn while at the same time there is enough disclipine to keep the students focused on the basics. If a problem student does arise the matter is handled efficiently. This is an excellent school with excellent teachers.”
This review was posted by a parent.