The Madeira School
Madeira is an independent boarding and day school educating 324 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.
Alumni Reviews Review School
- Review Description
- 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. . .
- 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. . .
Top Rankings
All Schools Similar Size Schools All-Girls Schools
The Madeira School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 303 schools) for:
- Category Attribute
- Faculty Education High percent faculty with advanced degrees
- Student Test Scores High average SAT scores
- Student Test Scores High SSAT scores
| Definition of Terms | 2021 School Data | The Madeira School | Boarding School Avg. |
| School Focus | College Prep | College Preparatory |
| Grades Offered | 9-12, PG | 9-12 |
| School Type | All-girls | Co-ed |
| Religious Affiliation | Non-denominational | Non-denominational |
| Year Founded | 1906 | 1907 |
| Campus Size | 376 acres | 125 acres |
Student Body
| Enrollment | 324 students | 300 students |
| % Students of Color | 35% | 25% |
| % International Students | 15% | 20% |
| % Students Boarding | 51% | 70% |
| 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 | Casual |
| Average Class Size | 12 students | 12 *National School Avg. » 20 |
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 5:1 | 7:1 |
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 19 | 18 |
| ESL Courses Offered | Yes | Yes |
| % Faculty with Advanced Degree | 90% | 70% |
| Summer Program Offered | Yes | Yes |
| Summer Program Details | Link to Summer Program Details | |
Tuition Cost
| Endowment Size | $62 million | $25 million |
| Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students) | $64,500 (Comprehensive Fee) | $59,500 |
| Yearly Tuition (Day Students) | $47,310 (Comprehensive Fee) | $33,500 |
| % Students on Financial Aid | 39% | 40% |
| Avg. Financial Aid Grant | $39,572 | $25,000 |
| Merit Scholarships Offered | Yes | No |
Acceptance Rate
| Application Deadline | Jan. 15 / rolling | Jan. 15 |
| Accepts Standardized Application | Yes | No |
| SSAT Required | Yes | Yes |
| Average Percentile SSAT | 80% | - |
| Acceptance Rate | 54% | 58% |
| Director of Admissions | Emily Reynolds Kevin Lawrence | |
Course Listings
| List of Courses Offered | Link to List of Courses |
AP / Advanced Courses
| # of AP / Advanced Courses Offered | 19 | 18 |
| Courses | Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry , Comparative Government & Politics, English Language, English Literature, French Langauge, French Literature, Latin Literature, Latin: Vergil, Physics B, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, US Government & Politics, US History | |
Sports
| # Interscholastic Sports Offered | 22 | 16 |
| Sports | Ballet, Basketball, Cheering, 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, Winter Track | |
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: 2009 - 2013 | 10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled) | |
| University of Virginia | 20 | |
| College of William and Mary | 19 | |
| Syracuse University | 10 | |
| The George Washington University | 9 | |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 8 | |
| Dickenson College | 8 | |
| Cornell University | 7 | |
| Boston University | 6 | |
| Bucknell University | 6 | |
| Colgate University | 6 | |
| Link to Matriculation Data | ||
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
Profile last updated: 06/25/2021
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