The Madeira School (2026 Profile)

5.00 (2 reviews)

Tel: (703) 556-8273

8328 Georgetown Pike
McLean, VA 22102

www.madeira.org

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The Madeira School Photo #1 - Capitol Hill internships in the offices of senators and representatives are a hallmark of the junior year at Madeira

The Madeira School Photo #2 - Madeira's 376-acre campus in McLean, Virginia, overlooks the Potomac River from a perch just 12 miles northwest of Washington, D.C.

The Madeira School Photo #3 - Madeira's award-winning riding team competes in regional IEA shows.

The Madeira School Photo #4 - Washington D.C. plays a central role in student life. Field trips, internships, and weekend activities take advantage of all the area has to offer. Georgetown Cupcakes, anyone?

The Madeira School Photo #5 - Get into character in one of our annual theater productions.

Madeira is an independent boarding and day school educating 340 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 Facts (2026)

Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 344 students
Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $74,500
Yearly Tuition (Day Students): $58,000
Acceptance rate: 37%
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 307 schools) for:

School Overview

| 2025 School Data

The Madeira School

Boarding School Avg.

School Focus

College Preparatory

Grades Offered

9-12

School Type

All-girls

Co-ed

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Religious Affiliation

Non-denominational

Year Founded

1906

1909

Campus Size

376 acres

125 acres

School Calendar

View School Calendar

School Motto

Festina Lente

Student Body

Enrollment

344 students

300 students

% Students of Color

40%

25%

% International Students

14%

20%

% Students Boarding

51%

70%

Offers Post-Grad Year

Academic Profile

Saturday Classes

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Average Class Size

12 students

* National Avg. »18

Student-Teacher Ratio

4:1

7:1

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

ESL Courses Offered

Yes

% Faculty with Advanced Degree

91%

70%

Summer Program Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

Accreditations

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)

# of AP / Advanced Courses Offered

Courses

Art HistoryBiology

Calculus ABCalculus BC

Chemistry Comparative Government & Politics

English LanguageEnglish Literature

French LangaugeFrench Literature

Latin LiteratureLatin: Vergil

Physics BSpanish Language

Spanish LiteratureUS Government & Politics

US History

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Tuition & Financial Aid

Endowment Size

$80 million

$25 million

Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)

$74,500
(Comprehensive Fee)

$59,900

Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)

$58,000
(Comprehensive Fee)

$33,500

% Students on Financial Aid

36%

40%

Merit Scholarships Offered

Yes

Admissions

Application Deadline

Jan. 15 / rolling

Jan. 15

Accepts Standardized Application (SAO and/or Gateway)

Yes

SSAT Required

Yes

Acceptance Rate

37%

58%

Director of Admissions

Emily Reynolds

Application URL

Online Application

Sports

# Interscholastic Sports Offered

Sports

BasketballCross Country

Cross Country RunningDance

SwimmingSwimming and Diving

TennisTrack

Track and FieldVolleyball

Winter Track

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School Mascot

Snail

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations

Extracurriculars

Club or Organization:

Arts CouncilAsian Club

Biodiesel Production ClubBlack Student Union

CampaignersChemistry Olympiad

Chinese Language & Culture ClubClassics Club

Community Service CommitteeCum Laude

Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)Innovation Club

Marine Biology ClubMental Health Awareness Club

Model UNMuslim Student Association

Neuroscience ClubNewspaper

Peer TutoringPetition Club

Pi-Landers Junior Math ClubPi-Landers Senior Math Club

Riding ClubScience and Engineering Club

Slam Poetry ClubSpanish Club

Student Diversity BoardStudent Government

ThespiansTV Talks Club

Young DemocratsYoung Republicans

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Arts and Music Programs:

A CapellaChamber

Nature ClubScience Enrichment Club

Theater Tech

Recreational Athletic Programs:

Campus Entertainment Committee (CEC)Yoga

College Matriculation

10 Most Popular College Choices (# Enrolled)

University of Virginia

College of William and Mary

Syracuse University

The George Washington University

Carnegie Mellon University

Dickenson College

Cornell University

Boston University

Bucknell University

Colgate University

View Matriculation Data

School Notes

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.
Madeira's curriculum is grounded in deep learning that crosses disciplines, connecting STEAM with the humanities, language with the arts, and classroom instruction with real-world experience. It's an innovative, rigorous, and girl-centric curriculum that builds critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Our personalized, college-like modular academic schedule incorporates three classes at a time during the day, with 7 mods per school year, allowing for more focus on ambitious learning and retention.
Our renowned four-year internship program gives every Madeira student experience in a community organization, on Capitol Hill, and in a career interest or passion. 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.
Our teachers are subject experts and scholars who bring creativity and innovation to the classroom, creating courses found only at Madeira.Small class sizes, which average 12 girls, and a low 4:1 student-faculty ratio, make learning highly interactive and collaborative.
Our diverse student body, spring break trips, summer exchanges, and international "learnerships" build girls' cultural knowledge and understanding.
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.
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 - News Anchor
- Alice Rivlin - Former director, Office of Management and Budget
- Stockard Channing - Actress
- Brooke Astor - Philanthropist
- Francis Sternhagen - Actress

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Madeira School cost?

The Madeira School's tuition is approximately $74,500 for boarding students and $58,000 for day students.

What schools are The Madeira School often compared to?

The Madeira School is 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 37%, which is lower than the boarding school average of 58%.

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 19 interscholastic sports: Basketball, 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 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

The Madeira School Alumni #1
Class of 2018
5.008/5/2019
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. . .

The Madeira School Alumni #2
Class of 1993
5.0012/29/2016
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. . .

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