The Madeira School?
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anonymous78
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Anyone familiar with Madeira? It's an all-girls school near DC.
What are the girls there focused on--academics? athletics? arts? Co-curriculum, activities, academics, athletics, etc. - what is it like? Admissions - how difficult is it to get in? SSAT scores? What do they look at? DD likes the school a lot. Personal anecdotes and/or other opinions all welcome. |
Anonymous
The girl are focused on whatever they choose - it varies. Did you take a tour? It's hard to convey exactly what the entire school is like in a post. Is your daughter boarding or day? It's difficult to get in. SSAT scores must be pretty good. I graduated over 15 years ago. It was nice and a good education, but I don't want to immerse my child in an unrealistic and self-segregating elite environment like that (i.e. most elite private schools), so I won't be looking at private schools. |
anonymous78
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@PP:
by "good" SSAT scores, do you mean 2000+? Does Madeira have that self-segregating atmosphere of most private schools? What is swimming, lacrosse, and volleyball like at the school? |
Anonymous
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My DD graduated a few years ago. It was a great experience. Academics are challenging. Other interests vary, some girls are into sports, some drama, etc. just like anywhere I suppose. Riding is a big thing for some, maybe 25% of the girls ride. Swimming is big. The all met swimmer of the year this year is a Madeira girl.
Lots of traditions at Madeira, which my DD loved. Interesting mix of girls since they come from all over. |
Anonymous
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DD applied for next year (8th grade now). It is a very lovely school and was impressed with them tremendously. We had GDS and Potomac as choices and ended up choosing Potomac.
However, I have nothing bad to say about Madeira. Class act through and through. I would say it was probably the best admissions department we dealt with (GDS and revamped Potomac were good as well but slight edge to Madeira). I looked closely at the co-curricular program and it sounded very nice. They gear it to the interests of the kid. For example, if you want to be a lawyer, it might be in a legal office. |
Anonymous
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Sorry PP here, as to SSAT, yes strong scores will certainly help but I really got the sense that if you can bring something else to the table it may compensate for less than stellar scores. I would say if your scores are not what you hoped for, bring it up on the interview.
I also heard (from them but also from admissions counselors, our own school, etc) it was extremely competitive this year compared to last several years. They sent a cute email on decision day right at midnight with pictures of balloons to accepted students saying congratulations. |
Anonymous
| Also, I got the sense that they were not cut throat competitive but valued academics. Focus on academics and extracurriculars. |
Anonymous
| There have been a number of recent discussions on Madeira, OP, so you also should use the search function if you don't get the info you need in this thread. |
Anonymous
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Anyone familiar with Madeira?
Yes, my DD is a sophomore and it is an all-girls 1/2 boarding 1/2 day school near DC. What are the girls there focused on--academics? athletics? arts? I would say all of the above. They have strong programs in all areas. Unlike some schools in the area, you do not have to be a sports star to be on the team and you don't have to be an academician to succeed here. Co-curriculum, activities, academics, athletics, etc. - what is it like? Co-Curriculum is the best part of the Madeira experience. My DD currently a sophomore spent five full weeks at a Title I school assisting in a first grade classroom. That's 300 hours of community service, the benefit of knowing what it is like in a real work environment and the growth of being among students who are less fortunate then herself. Next year she will be on the hill with a 18 year senator. You can't beat the opportunity to see our government in action. Her senior year she will select (on her own) what interests her and the Co-Curricum department will assist her in finding a placement to pursue her passion and interest. Admissions - how difficult is it to get in? SSAT scores? What do they look at? Madeira is competitive. They are looking for high SSAT, GPA and maturity. DD likes the school a lot. Personal anecdotes and/or other opinions all welcome. My DD loves the school. There is a great deal of faculty support. Being girl focused helps young girls reach for leadership opportunities and challenges them both academically and personally. |
Anonymous
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Anonymous
| Lots of good threads on this school. Just search. |
Anonymous
| Not sure if it is being isolated with just girls with no nearby schools or whatnot, but a few of the Madeira women I know are very catty, gossipy, and two-faced. All smiles to your face but gossipy behind your back. I would be concerned about having my daughter in that kind of environment especially if it is isolated geographically. |
Anonymous
| My friend who went to Madeira years ago is lovely and not at all like that. |
Anonymous
I know a few - one is lovely but two are as described above - smile to your face and whisper about you the minute you turn around. One even very obviously hides from people she doesn't want to talk to like a 7th grader. That is behavior I had not come across in DC from parents before which is why I mention it. |
Anonymous
| It's focused on horses, that's what it's focused on. |