NCS and Madeira
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Anonymous
| Hi - DD is a couple years away from applying but we’re narrowing down to NCS and Madeira. For anyone who applied and decided on one over the other - what was the deciding factor/s? Anyone have experience? TIA! |
Anonymous
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If your child is a couple of years out from applying, have you considered that she may or may not get into both schools?
You'll need to probably apply more widely than just 2 very selective schools. |
Anonymous
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My daughter is a senior at Madeira. She loves the collegial atmosphere, the rigorous curriculum, mod scheduling and internship opportunities. Plus, the campus can't be beat. Far less drama than her friends have experienced at NCS.
Agree with the poster above that you will want to cast a wide net. Madeira isn't grades and scores obsessed but is focused on building a class and fairly selective. Only 2 admitted from her K-8 her year out of 10+ who applied. |
Anonymous
| Madiera is a way easier admit because it is building a whole class from scratch whereas there are way less spots at NCS for 9th. Culturally very different. NCS is very big on being on the close and connections and money matter more as do test scores. We thought there would be more interacting with St Albans than there is so don’t think you are getting the fun of coed with the benefits of single sex. Yes they do some things together but, for example, the don’t do homecoming together. Ncs campus is smaller but very nice. Madiera is frankly one of the best in the whole area hands down. I mean the horses…. I would visit both but those are my thoughts. We ended up not applying to either after very close looks because daughter really preferred coed |
Anonymous
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Madeira is an excellent school but is not a good fit for everybody. Really explore the mod system, including its effect on extra curriculars done through the school. Also note that it will be difficult for your daughter to participate in any non-school extra curriculars.
NCS is an excellent school but is not a good fit for everybody. It can be a real pressure cooker grind, and takes a certain amount of ability to thrive on stress and an internal fortitude to withstand potential negative impacts to mental health. Both schools have some unique pros and cons and significant differences between them. Certainly there are girls who would flourish and succeed in both, but many have a strong preference for one over the other, or find that neither is a good fit. And as others pointed out, all that is assuming you have a choice - a big “if” as both are very competitive acceptances. Do find other schools to apply to as backups unless you are happy with your local public if neither works out. |
Anonymous
I suggest you brought in your search and see what schools fits your kid. |
Anonymous
| Madeira looks like a small college in a quiet suburban location - the campus is beautiful and serene. They have boarding which is a nice option if you like to try. NCS is in the city, commute can be an issue, but the campus is also beautiful and unique with the Close and the national cathedral. My child is at NCS and academic challenge is real, coming as straight A and advanced track from her reputable public middle. Social wise she has been able to develop some friendship in school across grades. There is chance to mingle with STA boys (some classes and sports are together, and some social activities like the home coming dance this year) so that is a plus if all girls is a concern. |
Anonymous
| Can you tell us a little more why you have narrowed it down to those two? Also, general geographic area - that would be a big factor in my household given traffic, commute times, after school activities, etc. |
Anonymous
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NCS homecoming is this weekend and every single upper school boy at STA upper is invited.
Where and how do girls at Madeira interact with boys ? |
Anonymous
DP. Also would add STA invites all NCS girls in the upper school to their homecoming as well. |
Anonymous
Most were not at single sex K-8s. There are mixer events. It isn't a convent. |
Anonymous
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Our experience suggests that interacting with boys in a school orchestrated setting is not high up on the typical Madeira girl’s agenda. Nevertheless there are school socials set up with the boys at Woodberry Forest.
It is not a convent. Nor is it the WNBA. |