Metro International Secondary Academy

What Metro International Secondary Academy does

Metro International Secondary Academy (MISA) is a privately operated, Ontario Ministry of Education authorized secondary school headquartered at 2 Simonston Blvd, Thornhill, ON, Canada. Its core offering is the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) program, delivered through a five-semester academic calendar that allows students to complete 12-16 Ontario credits per year — roughly twice the pace of traditional Ontario public schools. The institution primarily serves international secondary students recruited from China, Vietnam, Korea, Iran, and Europe, while also enrolling domestic students from the surrounding York Region communities of Thornhill, Markham, and Richmond Hill. The program is staffed by Ontario-licensed (OCT-certified) teachers, 70% of whom hold master's degrees or above, with a maintained 1:10 teacher-student ratio and an average class size of 15.

The product portfolio is built around the OSSD program and bundles supplementary offerings: a University Preparation Program with on-campus admissions visits from major Canadian universities, an IELTS preparation program, an AP program (under which MISA operates as a College Board authorized test center, center number 826595, offering 32+ AP exams annually including exam-only sections for non-MISA students), an English Language Arts program, and an Art program for portfolio development. Student support infrastructure includes 24-hour care, psychological counseling, a real-time learning feedback system accessible to parents, peer and after-school tutoring, and on-campus accommodation with 24/7 staffing. The school's technology layer is functional rather than differentiated: LCD projectors, classroom AV systems, science and computer labs, and the Edsembli student information portal for attendance, grades, and school performance.

MISA's revenue is generated primarily through tuition and academic program fees across OSSD courses, differentiated tuition rates for international versus domestic students, accommodation and boarding fees (monthly), AP exam registration fees (per exam), and IELTS preparation program fees. The school operates a direct-to-consumer admissions model with a six-step enrollment process, supported by regional WhatsApp-based admissions advisors in Vietnam, Korea, Iran, Canada, and Europe, a dedicated China office bridging parent communication, and a multilingual digital storefront (English, Chinese, Korean) with downloadable brochures and a Google Forms applicant information form. The lead is Principal Mary Elizabeth Lecours; the school has no disclosed parent company, no funding rounds, and no external investors.

Name

Metro International Secondary Academy

Legal name

Metro International Secondary Academy

Website

https://metroacademy.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Metro International Secondary Academy (MISA) is a privately operated, Ontario Ministry of Education authorized private school in Thornhill, ON, delivering the OSSD program to international and domestic secondary students through a five-semester calendar, with supplementary AP, IELTS, and university preparation programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Secondary Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (611), Language Schools (611630)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

International/Global Curriculum Schools (IB, Cambridge, etc.) (EDAJABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Secondary School Exchange Programs (Academic Year/Semester) (EDAIAHAB), Honors & Advanced Coursework Tutoring (non-AP/IB) (EDANAKAD)

Keywords

• Private secondary education
• International student programs
• OSSD curriculum
• University preparation services
• AP test center

Headquarters

HQ city

Thornhill

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Program Fees: MISA generates revenue primarily through tuition fees charged for its academic programs. The school publishes a fee and tuition schedule for domestic and international students covering Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credit courses. Additional fees include application fees, assessment fees, and ancillary charges as outlined in the school's official fee schedule. International students requiring visa support and accommodation services may incur additional fees.
2. Accommodation and Boarding Fees: MISA provides on-campus accommodation with 24/7 staffing. Revenue is generated through room and board charges for students requiring housing, with multiple room options available.
3. AP Exam Registration Fees: MISA, as a College Board AP test center, collects AP exam fees from students who register to take AP exams in May. Students must agree to pay for AP exams as a condition of enrollment in AP courses. The school also offers exam-only sections for non-MISA students.
4. IELTS Preparation Program: MISA offers an IELTS preparation program for students aiming to achieve specific IELTS band scores for university admission in Canada and other English-speaking countries. Revenue is generated through program fees for this specialized language training course.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Metro International Secondary Academy (MISA) is a private secondary school located in Thornhill, Ontario that delivers an Ontario Ministry of Education authorized curriculum leading to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). The school primarily serves international and domestic students seeking rigorous academic preparation for admission to top universities worldwide, offering specialized programs including university preparation, AP courses, IELTS preparation, English Language Arts, and visual arts portfolio development, supported by 24-hour student care services and on-campus accommodation.

Product overview

Metro International Secondary Academy (MISA) is a private school offering a unified educational platform centered on the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) program. The core academic portfolio includes the Secondary School Program, University Preparation Program, IELTS Preparation Program, AP Program, English Language Arts Program, and Art Program. These programs are supported by Student Services offering 24-hour care, academic support, and counseling, complemented by Campus Life Activities and Accommodation Services for international students. The institution operates on a five-semester academic calendar with a student-centered approach and small class sizes (1:8 teacher-student ratio, average class size of 15).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Secondary School Program (OSSD) Ontario Secondary School Diploma program following the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum, preparing students for university success worldwide with flexible course pathways and differentiated instruction. Delivered through a five-semester academic calendar with intensive course structure allowing 12-16 Ontario credits per year.
• University Preparation Program Comprehensive program for students aiming to attend prestigious universities in Canada, US, UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia, with tailored courses and university application counseling. Includes on-campus visits from Canadian university admissions officials.
• IELTS Preparation Program Test preparation program for students aiming to achieve specific IELTS band scores for admission to universities in Canada and other English-speaking countries, covering all four IELTS skills, delivered by TESL-certified teachers.
• AP Program Advanced Placement program offering college-level courses in high school. Students may earn college credit through AP exams. MISA is a College Board member school with center number 826595, offering over 32 AP exams annually including exam-only sections for non-MISA students.
• English Language Arts Program Comprehensive English language instruction covering grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, essay writing, critical analysis, public speaking, and presentation skills, delivered by OCT-qualified teachers.
• Art Program Advanced-level visual arts education for students preparing portfolios for post-secondary Arts programs in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Architecture, Animation, and related fields.
• Accommodation Services Safe student accommodations with 24/7 staff supervision, equipped with beds, study areas, storage, and high-speed internet access. Multiple room configurations available.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% university acceptance rate maintained across all graduating cohorts
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Ontario Ministry of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMISA is a Ministry-authorized private high school operating under the Ontario Ministry of Education. All curriculum plans are Ministry-approved and centered around the international student experience. The school's OSSD credentials carry official Ministry recognition and are accepted by universities worldwide.
• College BoardcoreTechnology or IntegrationMISA is a College Board member school and authorized AP test center (center number 826595). The school offers over 32 AP exams annually through College Board, including exam-only sections for non-MISA students. Students earn college credit upon achieving qualifying scores on AP exams administered in May.
• Major Canadian Universities (Admissions Recruitment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdmissions officials from major Canadian universities are invited on campus annually to introduce students to professional admissions requirements and answer questions about university life and the application procedure. This provides students with direct access to university recruiters and strengthens MISA's university placement outcomes.
• MISA China OfficecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe MISA China office establishes the bond between parents in China and the school, communicates with students and parents to answer questions, and supports the end-to-end enrollment process for Chinese students. This office is a critical distribution and communication channel for the school's international student recruitment from China.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Bodwell High School: North Vancouver-based private secondary school with a boarding model serving predominantly international students. Offers British Columbia Dogwood diploma and parallel university preparation tracks, directly comparable to MISA's positioning.
• Hanson International Academy: Toronto-based private international secondary school delivering OSSD programs with strong representation of East Asian international students. Positioned similarly to MISA in Toronto's private international school segment.
• Great Lakes College of Toronto: Toronto-based private secondary school serving international students with similar OSSD-equivalent programs, IELTS prep, and university placement focus. Directly competes for the same Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean student pipeline as MISA.
• Columbia International College: Hamilton, Ontario-based private international secondary school and one of the largest of its kind in Canada. Offers a similar full-care boarding model, OSSD curriculum, and university preparation programs targeting international students.
• Maple Leaf Academy: Toronto-area private international secondary school offering OSSD credit programs with university preparation focus. Competes directly with MISA for international students seeking Toronto-based Canadian secondary education.

Others

• CILT (Canadian International Language Training): Canadian language and test preparation training providers offering IELTS and ESL pathways often used by international students before or alongside secondary enrollment. Adjacent ecosystem player serving overlapping student demographics.

Emerging players

• EF International Academy: Network of international boarding schools under EF Education First offering high school programs with university preparation for international students. Operates at greater scale but with comparable student demographic and curriculum model.

Broad incumbents

• Upper Canada College: Elite Toronto-based independent boys' school serving K-12 with a long-standing international boarding program. Comparable private independent school model but with a more established brand and premium price point.
• Branksome Hall: Toronto-based independent girls' school with international boarding program and AP offerings. Comparable private independent school serving international students but with a more elite brand and stronger domestic reputation.
• St. Andrew's College: Established Aurora, Ontario-based independent boys' school with international boarding students. Represents the broader private independent school category that competes for international fee-paying students seeking premium Canadian education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MetroSecondary
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@-misa7066/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/misametroacademy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metro-international-secondary-academy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metro International Secondary Academy