Why is Madeira never, ever mentioned in this forum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would expect to see more discussion about this school, given its location, long history, prestige among a certain set, and so forth. also, given the demographics of the people who seem to post here. What gives? Do any of you know anyone who attends this school?

I think location (ie the fact that it is located in VA) is a big factor. Many folks on this board are very District of Columbia centric - hence all the focus on the schools that are physically located within the District. There's probably more of a focus too on MD schools - as Chevy Chase, Bethesda and the like are so close to the boarder than many people would not know whether they are still in DC or MD.

To many in DC/MD, Virginia seems like a world away and they never even consider crossing the river (likewise, many VA residents would NEVER consider living in Maryland). There is definitely a north/south bias thing going on. Washingtonian even did an issue on it a few years back. I can't tell you how many DC residents I know that have never even been to Old Town Alexandria!

Not sure why this is. Northern VA (especially McLean, Great Falls, etc) are just as if not more affluent than DC/MD. There are great nationally recognized public schools (TJ) and private schools (Potomac). Great universities (UVA, W&L, W&M, etc). All kinds of big businesses are headquartered in Tysons, Reston, Dulles, etc. I'm never quite sure what to make of the whole anti-VA bias, but it definitely plays out on this board.

people in mclean and great falls have old fridges and cars on cinder blocks out back...just kidding and i live in virginnie. Actually Madeira might be over 40% boarding with many students from far away locations [aka Asia] and it is grades 9-12. There is also paltry amounts of discussion on Episcopal [100% boarding] , Landon, georgetown prep, and Gonzaga. Most discussion is on how to get into "neighborhood" lower schools. Many people in VA go private for high school while in MD they seem to go private far earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Madeira grad here. Madeira is more of a boarding school than a day school, at least back when I went there. The day students seemed to ve left out or worse used as a way off campus by the boarders. I have daughters and even though I enjoyed the school would not send them to an all girls school. Living in this area, there are so many private day schools and even public schools that are just as good I would not consider boarding school. If I lived elsewhere I would consider it. Several of my Madeira grad friends who live in areas with good schools feel the same way.

Things may have changed since your day. It is currently about 50/50 boarding and day students. Quite a few of the boarders (maybe 1/2?) are local boarders. My daughter is a day student and has friends who are day students, local boarders and distant boarders. There don't seem to be real divisions between the groups, with the possible exception of riders vs non riders because of the time commitment of riding.

We were not looking specifically for a girls school but it has been a huge plus. It offers leadership opportunities that would not likely be available for my daughter in a coed school. It certainly keeps down the distractions (and Madeira is very strict so that helps as well - my daughter is shocked at some of the drinking and drugs she sees from her friends at other private schools. Of course Madeira is not completely immune but the consequences are severe so it acts as a big deterrent to the vast majority of girls). The curriculum is very rigorous. There are great opportunities to participate in sports even for the less athletically inclined. I think being on a team sport has real benefits for girls and is one we hadn't anticipated.

Another Madeira grad here: Madeira has plenty of drinking and drugs--all boarding schools do.

I did not find the curriculum especially rigorous--went to a top college and was not as well prepared as my NCS friends.

I'm not a huge believer in single sex education--I think girls need to learn in an atmosphere with boys, otherwise you delay the distraction until college.

[Anonymous]

I don't see a lot of discussion here on high-school only options. Gonzaga is another example of a fine school you don't see discussed here.