Welcome to a Year of Thriving
At Madeira, learning is active, joyful, and personal.
To thrive means to grow vigorously—not in isolation, but in connection. Throughout the year, we will focus on six foundational elements that make thriving possible.
The Six Elements of THRIVE
Trust
Supportive relationships are the active ingredient in building resilience and well-being. At Madeira, trust grows through mutual respect, accountability, and care in classrooms, advisories, teams, and dorms.
Health – Physical & Mental
Thriving requires caring for mind and body—managing stress, practicing mindfulness, staying active, getting rest, and nourishing ourselves. Our programs will integrate wellness practices into student life all year.
Resilience
Resilience is not the absence of struggle but the ability to grow through it. This year, we’ll encourage students to embrace challenges and learn from discomfort, building hope and strength along the way.
Integrity
Integrity means doing what’s right, even when it’s difficult. Students will explore purpose, principles, and ethical leadership in advisory, conversations, and leadership opportunities.
Vulnerability
Far from weakness, vulnerability fuels creativity, connection, and growth. We’ll create spaces for students to take risks, speak openly, and ask for help.
Emotional Intelligence
The ability to recognize, understand, and manage emotions impacts learning, relationships, and health. Through advisory, community meetings, and faculty development, we’ll strengthen emotional vocabulary and empathy.
Community Book Club
As part of this year’s schoolwide theme—THRIVE—our community is devoting time to thinking and talking about the 87 emotions and experiences outlined in Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart. By building a richer vocabulary of feelings, we strengthen our ability to connect with one another, navigate challenges, and celebrate joy. Students, faculty, and families will explore these emotions throughout the year in classes, advisory, and community gatherings. Together, we aim to create a culture where emotional awareness fuels resilience, empathy, and growth—so every member of our community can truly thrive.
Fall Family Weekend
Friday, Sept. 26 or Sept. 27 (in person)
Introduction, Chapters 1-3, hosted by Sen Adm Team Members
PA Meeting
Thursday, December 11, 6:00pm EST (virtual)
Chapters 4-6
Winter Family Weekend
Friday, Feb. 26 or Sat. Feb. 27
Chapters 7-9
PA Meeting
Thursday, April 16, 6:00pm EST (virtual)
Chapters 10-13
87 Emotions from Atlas of the Heart
This year, under the schoolwide theme THRIVE, the community will explore the 87 emotions from Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart. By expanding emotional vocabulary, students, faculty, and families will deepen connection, resilience, empathy, and joy. Through classes, advisory, and gatherings, the goal is to build a culture where emotional awareness supports growth and thriving for everyone.
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Speaker Series
Monday, October 20
Jhumpa Lahiri, Author .png)
Jhumpa Lahiri is a Pulitzer Prize–winning author whose work explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural displacement. Her acclaimed books include Interpreter of Maladies, The Namesake, Unaccustomed Earth, The Lowland, and Roman Stories, and she has also written in and translated from Italian. In addition to fiction, she publishes essays, poetry, and translations, bridging languages and genres with elegance and precision. Lahiri is currently the Millicent C. McIntosh Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing at Barnard College, and she divides her time between New York and Italy.