The Madeira School

8328 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22102
Madeira is an independent boarding and day school educating 330 girls in grades 9 through 12.
Our 376-acre campus is located 15 minutes from Washington, DC in McLean, Virginia.
Madeira's challenging academic programs and experiential learning opportunities, like the award winning Co-Curriculum internship program, cultivate women leaders who are ready to make positive impacts in their local and global communities.

Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: (Boarding) 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 330 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $66,200
  • Acceptance rate: 54%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Madeira School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 289 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention
Student Test Scores
Student Test Scores

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2023 School Data
The Madeira School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered (Boarding)
9-12, PG
8-12
School Type
Co-ed
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1906
1907
Campus Size
376 acres
130 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
330 students
310 students
% Students of Color
40%
25%
% International Students
15%
20%
% Students Boarding
51%
67%
Average SAT Score
1355
* National Avg. »View
SAT range (25th-75th percentile)
1260 - 1450
-
Offers Post-Grad Year
Yes
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Average Class Size
12 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
4:1
7:1
# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
12
17
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
90%
71%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$80 million
$25 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$66,200
(Comprehensive Fee)
$64,000
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
n/a
$35,000
% Students on Financial Aid
40%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$38,550
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Jan. 15
Average Percentile SSAT
80%
-
Acceptance Rate
54%
60%
Director of Admissions
Emily Reynolds

AP / Advanced Courses

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered
12
17
Courses
Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry , Comparative Government & Politics, English Language and Composition, French Language & Culture, Latin, Physics C, Spanish Language & Culture, Statistics, US Government & Politics

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
39
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Arts Council, Asian Club, Biodiesel Production Club, Black Student Union, Campaigners, Chemistry Olympiad, Chinese Language & Culture Club, Classics Club, Community Service Committee, Cum Laude, Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), Innovation Club, Marine Biology Club, Mental Health Awareness Club, Model UN, Muslim Student Association, Neuroscience Club, Newspaper, Peer Tutoring, Petition Club, Pi-Landers Junior Math Club, Pi-Landers Senior Math Club, Riding Club, Science and Engineering Club, Slam Poetry Club, Spanish Club, Student Diversity Board, Student Government, Thespians, TV Talks Club, Young Democrats, Young Republicans

Arts and Music Programs:
A Capella, Chamber, Nature Club, Science Enrichment Club, Theater Tech

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Campus Entertainment Committee (CEC), Yoga

College Matriculation

Year: 1999 - 2000
10 Most Popular College Choices  (# Enrolled)
University of Virginia
20
College of William & Mary
18
New York University
15
University of Miami
12
Tulane University
11
Virginia Polytecnic Institute
10
Cornell University
8
Johns Hopkins University
8
University of California, Los Angeles
8
Wake Forest University
7

School Notes

  • Madeira's curriculum is grounded in expert teaching and active involvement of the students when planning their academic paths. Personal academic advising enables girls to customize a schedule beyond graduation requirements, offering them the highest degree of challenge that best suits their interests. From AP Art History to iPad App Development, students may take advantage of the many upper-level courses offered.
  • The innovative Co-Curriculum program at Madeira integrates experiential learning with the cultural, political, and business life of the nation`s capital. Girls participate in immersive, 5-week internships, graduating with a solid resume that rivals that of college students. The unique grade-level objectives of the Co-Curriculum program progress from learning about identity and community during freshman and sophomore years to experiencing "real-life work" and leadership training during junior-year internships in Capitol Hill offices and student-selected internships during the girls` senior year.
  • Madeira has 13 inter-scholastic sports, including an equestrian team, as well as instruction in music, dance, film, visual and performing arts, which give students competitive and creative outlets.
  • The campus, which overlooks the Potomac River from 376 scenic acres, is a place for study, play, and competition, home to superior academic, athletic, riding, and arts facilities. Sports facilities include a 32,000 square foot sports center with basketball and volleyball courts, indoor competition size pool, dance/aerobic studio, and strength and conditioning room. There are also eight hard-surface tennis courts, three playing fields, 49 stall barn, indoor riding arena, and extensive riding and hiking trails. The arts facilities includes a 500-seat proscenium theater, drama rehearsal space, scene shop, dance studios, private vocal and instrumental studios, and an art gallery.
  • With Washington, D.C. is 15 minutes away, students take advantage of shopping in Georgetown, movies at Tysons Corner, and dim sum in Chinatown. The 20 other independent boarding and day schools (including all-boys and co-ed schools) nearby provide plenty of social opportunities on the weekends.
  • The Madeira School accreditations: NAIS, VAIS, TABS,
  • Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
    • Katherine Graham - Publisher, Washington Post
    • Mika Brzezinski - New Anchor
    • Alice Rivlin - Former director, Office of Management and Budget
    • Stockard Channing - Actress
    • Brooke Astor - Philanthropist
    • Francis Sternhagen - Actress
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Madeira School cost?
The Madeira School's tuition is approximately $66,200 for boarding students.
What schools are The Madeira School often compared to?
The Madeira Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Foxcroft School by visitors of our site.
What is the acceptance rate of The Madeira School?
The acceptance rate of The Madeira School is 54%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 60%.
Who are famous alumni from The Madeira School?
The Madeira School famous alumni include: Katherine Graham, Mika Brzezinski, Alice Rivlin, Stockard Channing, Brooke Astor and Francis Sternhagen.
What sports does The Madeira School offer?
The Madeira School offers 21 interscholastic sports: Ballet, Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Dance, Diving, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Riding, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track, Track and Field, Volleyball and Winter Track.
Does The Madeira School offer a summer program?
Yes, The Madeira School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is The Madeira School's ranking?
The Madeira School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for Low student:teacher ratio, High percent faculty with advanced degrees, High average SAT scores and High SSAT scores.
When is the application deadline for The Madeira School?
The application deadline for The Madeira School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

Alumni Reviews Review School

Review
Description

Class of 2018
5.00
University of California, Santa Barbara
Madeira has a Co-curriculum program which allows students to take 5 weeks and immerse themselves in an internship. Sophomore year is about community service, Junior year is about citizenship, and Senior year is about career. . .

Class of 1993
5.00
Harvard
Of course, the two most obvious aspects of Madeira that set the school apart are the single-sex education, and the co-curriculum program. Learning with a group of all girls takes the competitiveness out of education. . .
Submit Review for The Madeira School
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Quick Stats (2024)

  • Grades: (Boarding) 9-12, PG
  • Enrollment: 330 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $66,200
  • Acceptance rate: 54%
  • Average class size: 12 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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