The Madeira School is an independent boarding and day school that educates girls in grades 9-12. The scenic 376-acre campus is just 12 miles from Washington, DC.
Brief History
- Founded by Lucy Madeira in Washington, D.C. in 1906
- Relocated to McLean, Virginia, in 1931
- Instituted a unique Co-Curriculum program in 1966-1967 school year
- Appointed Head of School Pilar Cabeza de Vaca in 2010
Location and Campus
- A 376-acre campus in McLean, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C.
- Encompasses a student center, classroom buildings, art and dance studios, dormitories and faculty housing, a 590-seat auditorium, indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, playing fields, horse stable, indoor riding ring, indoor pool, and the Calleva ropes challenge course
- Overlooks the Potomac River
The academic curriculum emphasizes both content and skills in the context of a liberal arts education.
- Curricular integration across science, technology, arts, mathematics, literature, history, and world languages
- Co-Curriculum emphasizing real-world experience and applied learning
- College-level mathematics beyond AP Calculus BC
- Modular schedule curriculum:
- All classes taught in 80 minute blocks, for three periods a day, five days per week
- Three blocks constitute a full-year course equivalent
- 15 academic blocks plus a Co-Curriculum module is considered a full load
During the 2017-2018 academic year, 166 students took 315 AP examinations in:
Biology 26, Calculus AB 21, Calculus BC 25, Chemistry 4, Chinese Language and Culture 1, Comparative Gov’t & Politics 13, Computer Science 16, English Lang 39, English Lit 39, French Language and Culture 4, Japanese Language and Culture 1, Latin 1, Macroeconomics 6, Microeconomics 3, Physics C: 1, Physics 2: 7, Psychology 5, Spanish Language and Culture 6, Statistics 9, Studio Art: 2-D Design 3, Studio Art: Drawing Portfolio 1, US Government and Politics 15, US History 34, World History 35.
A score of 3 or better was earned on 85% of examinations taken. Scores of 4 and 5 were earned on 53% of the examinations taken.
Madeira’s Co-Curriculum Program, winner of the prestigious National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) 2003 Leading Edge Award, is now over 50 years old. See the Co-Curriculum pages for grade-by-grade program details.
Students
- Total number of students in 2019-2020: 324
- Countries represented: 32
- States represented, including the District of Columbia: 18
- 52% boarding students
- 48% day students
- 36% students of color
- 16% international students
- Student-faculty ratio of 5:1
- 90% faculty members with master’s degree or higher
- 38 housing units for faculty/staff
- Welcoming community of day students and boarders from across the country and around the world
- Beautiful campus with spaces for fine and performing arts and indoor and outdoor athletics and access to Washington, D.C., for excursions
- Over two dozen student-run clubs and activities including political, cultural, arts, and media organizations all offering opportunities to build relationships and gain leadership experience
- Boarding students living in six dormitories housing around 25 students each and a dorm faculty of four
- Expansive Student Center with lounge area, pool table, and basement with snack bar, mailroom, and lockers for day students
- Dining plan that brings faculty and students together – day girls and boarders alike –for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- 12 interscholastic team sports include cross country, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, tennis, basketball, rock climbing, swimming and diving, lacrosse, softball, and track and field
- Competitive horseback riding in all seasons
- Independent School League (ISL) competition
A natural consequence of a quality secondary education is college admission. Madeira’s College Counseling program is designed to ensure successful transition from the secondary school experience to a variety of post-secondary options. Madeira students have a variety of options, including Ivy League universities, highly selective liberal arts colleges, and universities around the country and the world. Click here for a list of recent college destinations.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Cost of Attendance (2018–2019)
- Comprehensive boarding fee: $62,000
- Comprehensive day student fee: $47,310
Financial Aid
- 39% of students receive Madeira financial assistance
- Total aid available: $3.45 million
- Average grant size: $32,139
Accreditation
- Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS)
Memberships
- Association of College Counselors at Independent Schools (ACCIS)
- National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
- Potomac and Chesapeake Association of College Admission Counseling (PCACAC)
- THE COLLEGE BOARD
- National Association of Independent Schools
- The Association of Boarding Schools
Explore Our Campus
We invite you to visit The Madeira School’s campus in McLean, Virginia, just 10 miles from Washington, D.C.
Explore the Map & Photos of Campus
Contact the Admissions Office
Contact the Admissions staff with any questions about campus visits, interviews, or the admissions process.
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