Boarding / Day High School for Girls in Washington DC Area

The Madeira School, McLean:
The Madeira School is a girls' boarding school and day school, grades 9–12, located 12 miles outside Washington, D.C. in McLean, Fairfax County, northern Virginia. Designed for girls who are bright, curious, and independent, Madeira is committed to providing an exemplary college prepatory school education with summer and community programs as well as a global emphasis and a unique co-curriculum program offering off-campus internship opportunities for every student. The six dormitories at Madeira accommodate about twenty-eight students each. Over half of Madeira's students are boarders, and boarding life forms a vital and vibrant portion of life at Madeira.

Our mix of three hundred girls from twenty-seven states and sixteen countries enhances our community and expands our curriculum. Day girls benefit from friends from all over the world, planned weekend events, breakfast, lunch and dinner any day, and labs and libraries open on weekends.

Boarders get a local network of friends and their families, with all the riches of Washington, D.C, and a chance to become ever more self-reliant.

Every Madeira girl learns in a residential community of shared values, genuine friendships, rules, and high expectations. In classrooms, dorms, and in the dining room, the conversation is cosmopolitan, the discussion diverse. What Madeira girls have in common is curiosity, energy, integrity, and acceptance.

The mission of The Madeira School was clearly envisioned by founder Lucy Madeira in 1906. She believed that it was both our duty and privilege to help young women to understand their changing world and to have the confidence to live lives that are of their own making, their own passions, their own dreams.

At The Madeira School, we believe that the most effective and ethical leaders of tomorrow whether academic, artistic, athletic, political, social or professional will be those possessing a clear sense of self, of community, and the world, as well as a strong commitment to lifelong learning and social service.

- Boarding and Day Programs for girls in grades 9-12
- College Preparatory Curriculum with English, science, math, fine arts, history and physical education
- College Preparation Courses PSAT, SAT and SAT II with Counseling
- Co-Curriculum Experimental Learning Program offering internships in business, politics, and social services
- Global Program with Cultural Trips
- Study Skills Center
- Technology Program
- Summer and Community Programs

The six dormitories at Madeira accommodate about twenty-eight students each. Over half of Madeira's students are boarders, and boarding life forms a vital and vibrant portion of life at Madeira. Most boarders have roommates, and many continue to live with that roommate each year.

Each school year every dorm elects several leaders, including head of house and assistant head of house, who organize dorm duties and activities. These students, plus another student government member, form a house council that works closely with the house adults to establish dorm rules, keep the dorm safe and comfortable, and act as friends and mentors to others. Each dorm also has trained student counselors to work with students who need support.

Technology on campus:
Every dorm also has its own technology center, called a CyberPod, that is linked to the campus network. Many students have laptop computers that can access the Internet through wireless transmitters. These transmitters are turned off during specific evening hours. Girls also spend time in the student lounge, a space where they can watch TV or movies, eat pizza or popcorn, play games, or just hang out. Dorms also have a telephone on every floor, which girls may use to call home.

Activities:
All students can participate in off-campus activities each weekend such as trips to the local mall (Tysons Corner), McLean, Georgetown, mixers with other boarding schools, putt-putt golf, ice skating, and cultural events in Washington, D.C. While there are always impromptu activities taking place in the dorm, student leaders plan an activity for their dorm every Saturday night.

Some favorites include spa night, rhinestoning, making smoothies or pizza, movie marathons, and poker night. A few times each semester there is a campus-wide Saturday night activity like Karaoke Night, the Annual Scavenger/Trivia/Treasure Hunt, or Inner Child Night.