What kind of grades do you need for Madeira?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an alum of the early 2000s and I don't get the horse talk. I literally rode a horse two times, in PE, never saw them up-close or thought about them any other time, and I even had at least a few friends who rode there (and didn't really talk about horses!). Has this changed, or is it just the perception of people who drive by on Georgetown Pike that it's a horse school for horse girls?

It is not a horse school for horse girls. It is still exactly as you described. The "horse" thing is just something people say on this anonymous board as a way to maybe make themselves feel good by putting other people or places down. I honestly have no idea. I would like to think it is teenagers trolling this board who insist on making these types of comments, because that is a far better explanation than that there might be some adults out there whose brains are fully developed who still do things like this. And these types of scornful and derisive comments are hardly limited to Madeira, people say all kinds of unnecessary scornful things about all sorts of schools here, for reasons I can't understand.

There is a school for everyone, and each school has it's pros and cons. I really don't understand why people can't have respectful and productive conversations about these schools like grown ups. People may not like Madeira because it's all girls, or they don't like the Mod system, or they want a more competitive environment, or prefer to be downtown. Whatever. These are all perfectly valid reasons for choosing something else. And it's perfectly reasonable for people to discuss the drawbacks of these area private schools online as they try to get information. But the scornful comments like "it's paying for horses" or it's "just for people who are or want "connections" is more a sad reflection on the people commenting than it is on the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an alum of the early 2000s and I don't get the horse talk. I literally rode a horse two times, in PE, never saw them up-close or thought about them any other time, and I even had at least a few friends who rode there (and didn't really talk about horses!). Has this changed, or is it just the perception of people who drive by on Georgetown Pike that it's a horse school for horse girls?

It is not a horse school for horse girls. It is still exactly as you described. The "horse" thing is just something people say on this anonymous board as a way to maybe make themselves feel good by putting other people or places down. I honestly have no idea. I would like to think it is teenagers trolling this board who insist on making these types of comments, because that is a far better explanation than that there might be some adults out there whose brains are fully developed who still do things like this. And these types of scornful and derisive comments are hardly limited to Madeira, people say all kinds of unnecessary scornful things about all sorts of schools here, for reasons I can't understand.

There is a school for everyone, and each school has it's pros and cons. I really don't understand why people can't have respectful and productive conversations about these schools like grown ups. People may not like Madeira because it's all girls, or they don't like the Mod system, or they want a more competitive environment, or prefer to be downtown. Whatever. These are all perfectly valid reasons for choosing something else. And it's perfectly reasonable for people to discuss the drawbacks of these area private schools online as they try to get information. But the scornful comments like "it's paying for horses" or it's "just for people who are or want "connections" is more a sad reflection on the people commenting than it is on the school.

Uh, review any of the GDS, Sidwell, NCS, STA, Bullis, SAES, Maret, SJC, etc., etc., threads. People like to make fun of what they are jealous of. Madeira is in good company.

[Anonymous]

Madeira is a lovely school. My daughter is a day student and it's been by far the most supportive environment she's been in.

SSATs were around 90th, A- student in a top private. That said, of 9 applicants from her previous school, only three were admitted.

I would echo the "whole girl" comment. It's not a school that ascribes a specific number: just about every kid there has a "thing" beyond the traditional academics. There are gifted singers, athletes, actors, artists, musicians, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Could a B student get in? What kind of SSATs? What’s the culture like?

Anything C and above with full pay will get in

[Anonymous]

Yes - you just won’t get any tuition reductions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could a B student get in? What kind of SSATs? What’s the culture like?

Anything C and above with full pay will get in

How would you know that!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The parameters will be different based on applications and the ability for international students to get visas. But, I think a student that has a good interview, a high B avg, and 85% or higher on the SSAT would be competitive. We thought Madeira's Admissions Team and process were hands down the best. They're well organized, informative, friendly and offered lots of events for interested girls to visit the campus. Unfortunately, my DD wasn't able to attend, but she said the facilities were amazing and there were plenty of clubs and activities to engage girls that weren't interested in horses. No school will give you a definitive "pre-read", but I would reach out to an admissions counselor if you have questions.

85% on the SSAT is what you need for Cathedral schools and Sidwell! No way this score is required for Madeira. We were told by our k-8 that a 70% on the SSAT was needed for Madeira.

SSAT is optional for Madeira.

My DD had 92% on SSATs, all As in middle (public) school, partial URM, connections to a board member as one of the schools, and got rejected by Potomac, Sidwell, GDS. It's tough out there folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:J

Georgetown as in Georgetown University? I don't know a high school called Georgetown. That would give me great pause.

Wow. Are you really that stupid?

Ok I knew it was referring to Gtown Prep but your stupid accusation is rude and uncalled for.

And frankly anyone truly in the know would have said simply Prep, not Georgetown.

[Anonymous]

Anyone with more recent intel on Madeira admissions for this year? I’m wondering especially if visas are very available and if that and COVID are leading to a reduction in boarders... or anything else really.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could a B student get in? What kind of SSATs? What’s the culture like?

Anything C and above with full pay will get in

This is simply not true due to demand and spots available

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Anyone with more recent intel on Madeira admissions for this year? I’m wondering especially if visas are very available and if that and COVID are leading to a reduction in boarders... or anything else really.

This is a good question. I feel like international applications must be down because of the disastrous US handling of COVID, but families from across the US have an increased interest in boarding schools because they are more likely to be open. We have a kid at Madeira and have had several friends in different parts of the country reach out due to being fed up with even their private school’s approach to in-person options (mainly on the west coast).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an alum of the early 2000s and I don't get the horse talk. I literally rode a horse two times, in PE, never saw them up-close or thought about them any other time, and I even had at least a few friends who rode there (and didn't really talk about horses!). Has this changed, or is it just the perception of people who drive by on Georgetown Pike that it's a horse school for horse girls?

It is not a horse school for horse girls. It is still exactly as you described. The "horse" thing is just something people say on this anonymous board as a way to maybe make themselves feel good by putting other people or places down. I honestly have no idea. I would like to think it is teenagers trolling this board who insist on making these types of comments, because that is a far better explanation than that there might be some adults out there whose brains are fully developed who still do things like this. And these types of scornful and derisive comments are hardly limited to Madeira, people say all kinds of unnecessary scornful things about all sorts of schools here, for reasons I can't understand.

There is a school for everyone, and each school has it's pros and cons. I really don't understand why people can't have respectful and productive conversations about these schools like grown ups. People may not like Madeira because it's all girls, or they don't like the Mod system, or they want a more competitive environment, or prefer to be downtown. Whatever. These are all perfectly valid reasons for choosing something else. And it's perfectly reasonable for people to discuss the drawbacks of these area private schools online as they try to get information. But the scornful comments like "it's paying for horses" or it's "just for people who are or want "connections" is more a sad reflection on the people commenting than it is on the school.

Great post. I do wish there was less snark and sarcasm and more just reasoned discussion on this board, but it’s an anonymous forum on the internet and sadly kinda just par for the course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an alum of the early 2000s and I don't get the horse talk. I literally rode a horse two times, in PE, never saw them up-close or thought about them any other time, and I even had at least a few friends who rode there (and didn't really talk about horses!). Has this changed, or is it just the perception of people who drive by on Georgetown Pike that it's a horse school for horse girls?

It is not a horse school for horse girls. It is still exactly as you described. The "horse" thing is just something people say on this anonymous board as a way to maybe make themselves feel good by putting other people or places down. I honestly have no idea. I would like to think it is teenagers trolling this board who insist on making these types of comments, because that is a far better explanation than that there might be some adults out there whose brains are fully developed who still do things like this. And these types of scornful and derisive comments are hardly limited to Madeira, people say all kinds of unnecessary scornful things about all sorts of schools here, for reasons I can't understand.

There is a school for everyone, and each school has it's pros and cons. I really don't understand why people can't have respectful and productive conversations about these schools like grown ups. People may not like Madeira because it's all girls, or they don't like the Mod system, or they want a more competitive environment, or prefer to be downtown. Whatever. These are all perfectly valid reasons for choosing something else. And it's perfectly reasonable for people to discuss the drawbacks of these area private schools online as they try to get information. But the scornful comments like "it's paying for horses" or it's "just for people who are or want "connections" is more a sad reflection on the people commenting than it is on the school.

Great post. I do wish there was less snark and sarcasm and more just reasoned discussion on this board, but it’s an anonymous forum on the internet and sadly kinda just par for the course.

+1. Thank you for being a grown up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could a B student get in? What kind of SSATs? What’s the culture like?

Anything C and above with full pay will get in

This is ridiculous. Totally false.

[Anonymous]

DD got accepted as a day student with straight A's, high 90's SSAT, no connections, and not coming from a private school. Well rounded student with a variety of interests and extracurricular activities. Ultimately decided to go to a co-ed private, however met other students on revisit day, both day and boarding, who did not seem to have connections nor come from known privates that were also accepted. I really feel it is about the individual student and how well they fit. It's a different culture and our daughter felt at home every time she visited. It was a tough choice but Madeira didn't offer the language and extracurricular she was most interested in and although I'm sure she would have been happy there, she loves where she ultimately decided. In general, all our kids were accepted to top tier privates they applied to for 9th grade with no connections and not coming from private schools. I really do think all of the privates want the best mix of students and consider each applicant independently. It isn't as formulaic as some would lead you to believe. Every applicant has an opportunity.