Madeira is an independent boarding and day school educating 325 girls in grades 9 through 12.
Our 376-acre campus is located 15 minutes from Washington, D.C. 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 (2024-25)
- Top Ranked VA School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 324 students
- Acceptance rate: 40%
- Average class size: 12 students
- Application Deadline: Jan. 15
- Source: Verified school update
Top Rankings
The Madeira School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for:
Category
Attribute
SAT Score
Acceptance Rate
Advanced Degrees
Student Body
AP Courses
Sports offered
Extracurriculars
School History
School Overview
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
Offers Post-Graduate Year
Yes
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
1906
Summer School Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details
School Calendar
Student Body
Total Students
324 students
Student Body Type
% Students of Color
34%
State avg.: 30%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
35 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
9:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
86%
Average Class Size
12 students
Number of AP Courses
18 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Comparative Government & Politics, English Language, English Literature, French Language, French Literature, Latin Literature, Latin: Vergil, Physics B, S Government & Politics, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, US History
Average SAT score
1350
(Out of 1600)
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
Jan. 15
Tuition Notes
See website
% on Financial Aid
40%
Acceptance Rate
40%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Emily Reynolds
Sports
Total Sports Offered
17 sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
34 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
60+ Clubs, Black Student Union, Chinese Culture Club, CLIPUS Foundation, Debate Club, FOCUS, French Club, Gay Straight Alliance, Generation Progress, Girl Up, Green Team, Hands on Housing, Japanese Club, Judaism at Madeira, Korean Students Association, Math and Computer Science Club, Mental Health Awareness Club, Muslim Student Association, Science and Engineering Club, South Asian Student Association, Spanish Club, Stress Relief Club, Young Democrats, Young Republicans
Arts and Music Programs:
A Capella and Glee Groups, Chamber Orchestra, Dance, GATE: Literary Magazine, Madeira Arts Council, Slam Poetry Club, Technical Theater, Theater
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Badminton Club, Karate
60+ Clubs, Black Student Union, Chinese Culture Club, CLIPUS Foundation, Debate Club, FOCUS, French Club, Gay Straight Alliance, Generation Progress, Girl Up, Green Team, Hands on Housing, Japanese Club, Judaism at Madeira, Korean Students Association, Math and Computer Science Club, Mental Health Awareness Club, Muslim Student Association, Science and Engineering Club, South Asian Student Association, Spanish Club, Stress Relief Club, Young Democrats, Young Republicans
Arts and Music Programs:
A Capella and Glee Groups, Chamber Orchestra, Dance, GATE: Literary Magazine, Madeira Arts Council, Slam Poetry Club, Technical Theater, Theater
Recreational Athletic Programs:
Badminton Club, Karate
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. Every Wednesday, girls learn from
real-world experience, 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.
- 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
What is the acceptance rate of The Madeira School?
The acceptance rate of The Madeira School is 40%, which is lower than the national average of 84%. The Madeira School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Virginia with low acceptance rates.
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.
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 sports does The Madeira School offer?
The Madeira School offers 17 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Martial Arts, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Winter Track. The Madeira School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for most sports offered.
What is The Madeira School's ranking?
The Madeira School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for: Highest average SAT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered and Oldest founding date.
When is the application deadline for The Madeira School?
The application deadline for The Madeira School is Jan. 15.
Related Schools
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People that viewed The Madeira School also viewed these schools: The Potomac School, Holton-arms School, Flint Hill School, Foxcroft School and Oakcrest School.
The nearest high school to The Madeira School is BASIS Independent McLean (2.6 miles away)
The nearest elementary school is Ambleside School (2.1 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Educo Inc (2.4 miles away)
Show me:
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
Grades: K-12 | 1,057 students 4.9 miles 1301 Potomac School Road
Mc Lean, VA 22101
(703) 749-6313
Mc Lean, VA 22101
(703) 749-6313
4.9
K-12
1,057
Grades: 3-12 4.8 miles 7303 River Road
Bethesda, MD 20817
(301) 365-6000
Bethesda, MD 20817
(301) 365-6000
4.8
3-12
n/a
Grades: PK-12 | 1,037 students 8.2 miles 3320 Jermantown Road
Oakton, VA 22124
(703) 584-2314
Oakton, VA 22124
(703) 584-2314
8.2
PK-12
1,037
Grades: 9-12 | 173 students 28.1 miles 22407 Foxhound Lane
Middleburg, VA 20117
(540) 687-4340
Middleburg, VA 20117
(540) 687-4340
28.1
9-12
173
Grades: 6-12 | 302 students 4.2 miles 1619 Crowell Road
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 790-5450
Vienna, VA 22182
(703) 790-5450
4.2
6-12
302
School Reviews
5 8/12/2018
Madeira is a warm, welcoming environment that nurtures teenage girls. They offer a very strong academic and athletic program and encourage girls to use their voices and become leaders. They have a very strong internship program with congressional and senate representatives. My daughter will have a better resume leaving high school than I did when I finished college. Wow! They offer financial aid and with a strong boarding population, there's always something to do on the weekends whether boarding or not. Driving onto campus in the morning and seeing the horses and then the Potomac River right behind campus always puts us in the right frame of mind for the rest of the day. I highly recommend the school.
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