The Madeira School

The Madeira School, founded in 1906, is located in McLean, Virginia, enjoying a prime location close to Washington D.C., just a 30-minute drive from the White House. The campus boasts a beautiful environment, spanning 375 acres with views overlooking the Potomac River. "Launching women who change the world" is the school's mission, aiming to cultivate women who can truly change the world and lead innovation in girls' education.
The school offers over 70 courses, including 12 AP courses, and also features its unique Co-Curriculum program. Established in 1966, this program received the "Leading Edge" award in 2003 from NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) in the United States. It is an experiential learning curriculum designed to provide students with practical experience and applied learning. This includes a 5-week community service placement, internships at the Capitol, and career-oriented internships for every student. Madeira's interdisciplinary STEAM program encourages students to engage in design and production through creative, collaborative, and hands-on activities.
The school has 12 varsity teams and 7 junior varsity teams. The school's equestrian program has a history of over 70 years, featuring its own outdoor and indoor riding arenas. Riders of all levels can participate in various competitions, including USEF-rated and IEA equestrian events. Additionally, Madeira offers equestrian summer programs during the summer break.

Principal Zhan's Review: The Madeira School has been rated as the best boarding school in Virginia. The school's MOD curriculum model and unique 3-year internship opportunities fully help students excel in their preferred fields. Madeira boasts a strong academic program and pays special attention to students' social development, making it highly suitable for girls who have a preliminary plan for their future and are willing to continuously try and progress. In terms of cultural heritage, Madeira is dedicated to cultivating women who can change the world, and it is the only school in the United States where 100% of students graduate with three internship experiences. For five weeks each year, girls learn in environments outside the classroom, helping young women understand the changing world and confidently create their own lives! Regarding academic development, the school places great emphasis on academics, adopting a unique MOD model to structure students' academic pursuits. The MOD model divides the semester into several modules, with each module focusing on a few courses, allowing students to delve deeper. This model gives students more time and energy to concentrate on each course, thereby better understanding and mastering knowledge. In community building, the school places great importance on communication and care among students, as well as between students and teachers. Students receive prompt replies when they contact teachers, and teachers also provide ample time for students to choose from, ensuring every student receives full support and care. For emotional support, the school has professional mental health counselors who, in conjunction with mentors, help students address personal, social, or emotional issues in individual and group settings.

Due to its advantageous proximity to Washington D.C., Madeira benefits from surrounding art resources such as the Shakespeare Theatre, Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Museums, Corcoran Gallery, Hirshhorn Gallery, The Phillips Collection, and the National Portrait Gallery. These are places Madeira students visit on field trips and during weekends. In Madeira's visual arts program, students are exposed to a wide variety of art-making techniques and media. Through this discipline, students can explore and develop their ability to reflect and express their understanding of the world and themselves. Madeira's weekend trip program provides students with more opportunities to visit galleries, museums, and art centers in Washington D.C., as well as artists living and working in the region. Art courses include painting, sculpture, photography, film, ceramics, and graphic design. In all courses, students are exposed to a wide range of art styles and media through visits to guest artist galleries, museums, art centers, and by viewing slides and films.

Data for Madeira School for Girls: 336 students, student-teacher ratio 1:4, 13% international students, 52% boarding students, 91% faculty with advanced degrees. Madeira School is a top boarding school for girls located in the Washington D.C. area. The school offers a comprehensive and complete curriculum. Many children of world dignitaries attend here. A distinctive program is STEM, with a particular emphasis on fostering leadership and independence. In the arts, specialized courses in dance and film production are offered. The school has international exchange programs, leading students to visit different countries annually, including France, Spain, Chile, etc. Excellent indoor and outdoor sports facilities are available. The sports center includes a gym, side-by-side volleyball and basketball courts, a weight room, a competitive swimming pool, a dance studio, locker rooms, an athletic training room, and teaching and coaching offices. There is a 25-yard swimming pool and a Duraflex diving board. Outdoor facilities include three full-sized athletic fields, six tennis courts, and cross-country trails. Equestrian Sports: For over 70 years, the equestrian program has been an important part of Madeira's athletic curriculum. Madeira's equestrian level is very high, having won numerous competition medals. Madeira School provides each student with a 5-week community service opportunity, a Capitol Hill internship, and a career-focused internship opportunity.

【Location】A scenic 376-acre campus, just 12 miles from Washington D.C. and a half-hour drive from Washington Dulles International Airport, which offers direct flights from China.

【Faculty】Over 90% of teachers hold advanced degrees. Most faculty and staff reside on campus. The student-to-teacher ratio is extremely low, leading to exceptionally high attention given to students.

【Academic Structure】Our modular schedule divides the academic year into 7 modules, with a rotating curriculum over 5 weekdays. Interdisciplinary courses have an exclusive module, utilizing 5 weeks to complete a new topic or project.

【Arts Programs】Drama, music and dance, filmmaking, sketching, painting, sculpture, photography, film, ceramics, and graphic design, as well as private music lessons.

【Athletic Programs】Equestrian programs have always been a vital part of Madeira's athletic curriculum, and the school's equestrian team participates in numerous competitions, winning countless awards.

【Signature Programs】Cross-curricular internship program, Global Citizenship and International Education, Information and Innovation, STEAM, Equestrian.

【College Matriculation】100% university acceptance rate. Graduates in the past 5 years have matriculated to institutions including Yale University, Stanford University, Princeton University, Columbia University, New York University, Cornell University, etc.

Due to its proximity to Washington D.C., Madeira benefits from a wealth of nearby art resources including the Shakespeare Theatre, Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Museums, Corcoran Gallery, Hirshhorn Gallery, The Phillips Collection, and the National Portrait Gallery. These are all places Madeira students visit on field trips and during weekends. In Madeira's visual arts curriculum, students are exposed to a wide variety of art-making techniques and media. Through this discipline, students explore and develop their ability to reflect and express their understanding of the world and themselves. Madeira's weekend trip program provides students with even more opportunities to visit galleries, museums, and art centers in D.C., as well as artists living and working in the area. Art courses include painting, sculpture, photography, film, ceramics, and graphic design. Across all courses, students are exposed to a wide array of art styles and media through visiting guest artist galleries, museums, and art centers, as well as by viewing slides and films.

Madeira's dance program is a highlight of the performing arts curriculum, as classes are taught by professional dancers whose performance and teaching standards are among the highest on the East Coast and internationally. The school offers dance classes as a physical activity, with genres including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and contemporary movement. All classes are taught by popular dance professionals from the Washington D.C. area, and there are two dance programs to choose from: Madeira Dance and Select Dance. Choosing Madeira's dance classes allows students to train and perform at a higher level and grow into experienced dancers. In addition to five school performances each academic year, students also have opportunities to perform off-campus.

Madeira School is conveniently located, just a 15-minute drive from Washington D.C. Students primarily intern off-campus at federal government departments, the World Bank, and non-governmental organizations in Washington. The school boasts advanced facilities, offering first-class amenities for academics, sports, equestrian activities, and arts. It provides various student positions and emphasizes fostering female leadership. In the past two years, the school has adjusted its curriculum, calling it the "Module Plan." One of the key objectives outlined in this plan is to develop Madeira into a leader in 21st-century girls' education. Details of the Module Plan: Each academic year is divided into 7 modules, with each module lasting approximately 5 weeks. Each day is further divided into 4 blocks; the first three blocks are 80 minutes long, and the last block is 90 minutes long, primarily for various extracurricular activities. Students fully complete 3 courses within these five weeks, and each course also has a longer duration. Research shows that this learning method best enables children to focus on their studies, without the daily pressure of rushing homework for 7 courses. Students can concentrate solely on learning these three main subjects, mastering them thoroughly.

The Co-Curriculum Program is Madeira's 5-week student internship program. The goal for 9th graders in this program is to help students better integrate into campus life, prepare for rigorous academics, and cultivate collaborative skills. This year's program content primarily includes: learning skills, digital citizenship, health, public speaking, community building, self-awareness and diversity, field trips, and outdoor adventures. The 10th-grade theme is service, aiming to foster students' social responsibility and civic consciousness. Students will form groups of 3-5 people and volunteer at schools, non-profit organizations, or federal programs. The 11th-grade theme is internships with senators and representatives on Capitol Hill, exploring national policy issues, and developing students' quantitative and analytical reasoning skills, oral and written communication skills, and research skills. By 12th grade, students will have completed three years of internship programs and will have a clearer understanding of their future majors, careers, and development directions. The 12th-grade program provides students with internship opportunities that align with their personal ideal visions, such as: hospitals, law firms, commercial companies, zoos, theaters, Voice of America, etc.

The Madeira School, founded in 1906, is a full-time boarding school for girls, offering grades 9-12. The school is located in McLean, Virginia, 12 miles outside Washington D.C. It is a school established for bright, studious, quick-thinking, and independent girls. The Madeira School offers classic international cooperative curricula and programs tailored to the unique characteristics of each student, and provides them with practical extracurricular internship opportunities.

Madeira School is a boarding school for girls located near Washington D.C., providing education for girls from grades 9 to 12. This picturesque 376-acre campus is just 12 miles from Washington D.C., located in McLean, outside of D.C.

School Advantages:

1. Madeira School is a top-tier boarding school for girls in the Washington D.C. area. It offers comprehensive and complete courses, and many children of world political figures attend here. A distinctive program is STEM, with a particular focus on cultivating leadership and independence.

2. In the arts, special courses include dance and film production. The school offers international exchange programs, leading students to visit different countries each year, including France, Spain, Chile, etc.

3. Excellent indoor and outdoor sports facilities. The athletic center includes a gym, side-by-side volleyball and basketball courts, a weight room, a competition swimming pool, a dance studio, locker rooms, a sports training room, and teaching and coaching offices. There is a 25-yard swimming pool and a Duraflex diving board. Outdoor facilities include three full-sized athletic fields, six tennis courts, and cross-country trails.

4. Equestrian Sports: For over 70 years, the equestrian program has been a vital part of Madeira's athletic curriculum. Madeira's equestrian level is very high, having won numerous competition medals.

5. Madeira School provides each student with a 5-week community service opportunity, an internship on Capitol Hill, and an internship geared towards future careers.