Madeira v Stone Ridge

[Anonymous]

These schools are very very different. Stone Ridge tends to be a mostly Catholic, white, preppy, conservative school with many country club members and it is in Maryland and close vicinity to other single sex schools. Parents are very involved and hands on at the school.

Madeira is only 9-12 - many boarders so moms are not that involved which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Friends that had/have daughters there said they do not know parents except for the few that belong to local country clubs or Met Club. Much more diverse and lots of international families. Geographically in Virgiana and more isolated and does not have brother school. More progressive girls and families overall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These schools are very very different. Stone Ridge tends to be a mostly Catholic, white, preppy, conservative school with many country club members and it is in Maryland and close vicinity to other single sex schools. Parents are very involved and hands on at the school.

Madeira is only 9-12 - many boarders so moms are not that involved which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Friends that had/have daughters there said they do not know parents except for the few that belong to local country clubs or Met Club. Much more diverse and lots of international families. Geographically in Virgiana and more isolated and does not have brother school. More progressive girls and families overall.

I have a daughter at Madeira and can provide better information than the poster that always posts about Madeira despite not having a daughter there. Parents have an opportunity to socialize throughout the year. Family Friday Dinners, which families are invited to dine on the first Friday of the month. Family Friday Events two or three times a year where parents spend the day on campus. Parents attend classes with their students, attend PTA meetings, eat lunch, attend cocktail hour, etc. There are volunteering opportunities with Cookie Momsters, teacher appreciation events, and chaperoning. Parents also have a happy hour on the nights of dances. There is an active PTA and parents socialize at games.

But it is true, that the school really encourages students to self advocate and discourages the helicoptering that is so common in this area. It’s also true that Madeira is more diverse and doesn’t support the country club cliques often found at other schools. This a feature not a bug for Madeira parents.

The brother school is, and always has been, Woodberry Forest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These schools are very very different. Stone Ridge tends to be a mostly Catholic, white, preppy, conservative school with many country club members and it is in Maryland and close vicinity to other single sex schools. Parents are very involved and hands on at the school.

Madeira is only 9-12 - many boarders so moms are not that involved which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Friends that had/have daughters there said they do not know parents except for the few that belong to local country clubs or Met Club. Much more diverse and lots of international families. Geographically in Virgiana and more isolated and does not have brother school. More progressive girls and families overall.

I have a daughter at Madeira and can provide better information than the poster that always posts about Madeira despite not having a daughter there. Parents have an opportunity to socialize throughout the year. Family Friday Dinners, which families are invited to dine on the first Friday of the month. Family Friday Events two or three times a year where parents spend the day on campus. Parents attend classes with their students, attend PTA meetings, eat lunch, attend cocktail hour, etc. There are volunteering opportunities with Cookie Momsters, teacher appreciation events, and chaperoning. Parents also have a happy hour on the nights of dances. There is an active PTA and parents socialize at games.

But it is true, that the school really encourages students to self advocate and discourages the helicoptering that is so common in this area. It’s also true that Madeira is more diverse and doesn’t support the country club cliques often found at other schools. This a feature not a bug for Madeira parents.

The brother school is, and always has been, Woodberry Forest.

I’m a parent at Madeira and thought the PP’s take was pretty accurate. Compared to our previous private/public experiences, there are fewer opportunities/expectations around parental socializing. I imagine this is typical for most 9-12 schools though and is a plus for us at this point. The girls do have mixers with multiple schools with no obvious special relationship with WF (fortunately) from what I can tell. TBH, I wish they mixed with the independent schools rather than the boarding schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These schools are very very different. Stone Ridge tends to be a mostly Catholic, white, preppy, conservative school with many country club members and it is in Maryland and close vicinity to other single sex schools. Parents are very involved and hands on at the school.

Madeira is only 9-12 - many boarders so moms are not that involved which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Friends that had/have daughters there said they do not know parents except for the few that belong to local country clubs or Met Club. Much more diverse and lots of international families. Geographically in Virgiana and more isolated and does not have brother school. More progressive girls and families overall.

I have a daughter at Madeira and can provide better information than the poster that always posts about Madeira despite not having a daughter there. Parents have an opportunity to socialize throughout the year. Family Friday Dinners, which families are invited to dine on the first Friday of the month. Family Friday Events two or three times a year where parents spend the day on campus. Parents attend classes with their students, attend PTA meetings, eat lunch, attend cocktail hour, etc. There are volunteering opportunities with Cookie Momsters, teacher appreciation events, and chaperoning. Parents also have a happy hour on the nights of dances. There is an active PTA and parents socialize at games.

But it is true, that the school really encourages students to self advocate and discourages the helicoptering that is so common in this area. It’s also true that Madeira is more diverse and doesn’t support the country club cliques often found at other schools. This a feature not a bug for Madeira parents.

The brother school is, and always has been, Woodberry Forest.

I’m a parent at Madeira and thought the PP’s take was pretty accurate. Compared to our previous private/public experiences, there are fewer opportunities/expectations around parental socializing. I imagine this is typical for most 9-12 schools though and is a plus for us at this point. The girls do have mixers with multiple schools with no obvious special relationship with WF (fortunately) from what I can tell. TBH, I wish they mixed with the independent schools rather than the boarding schools.

But that is what boarding schools do. Should they have lots of events where only a portion of families can actually attend? If you want a day school and all that goes with it, go to a day school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These schools are very very different. Stone Ridge tends to be a mostly Catholic, white, preppy, conservative school with many country club members and it is in Maryland and close vicinity to other single sex schools. Parents are very involved and hands on at the school.

Madeira is only 9-12 - many boarders so moms are not that involved which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Friends that had/have daughters there said they do not know parents except for the few that belong to local country clubs or Met Club. Much more diverse and lots of international families. Geographically in Virgiana and more isolated and does not have brother school. More progressive girls and families overall.

I have a daughter at Madeira and can provide better information than the poster that always posts about Madeira despite not having a daughter there. Parents have an opportunity to socialize throughout the year. Family Friday Dinners, which families are invited to dine on the first Friday of the month. Family Friday Events two or three times a year where parents spend the day on campus. Parents attend classes with their students, attend PTA meetings, eat lunch, attend cocktail hour, etc. There are volunteering opportunities with Cookie Momsters, teacher appreciation events, and chaperoning. Parents also have a happy hour on the nights of dances. There is an active PTA and parents socialize at games.

But it is true, that the school really encourages students to self advocate and discourages the helicoptering that is so common in this area. It’s also true that Madeira is more diverse and doesn’t support the country club cliques often found at other schools. This a feature not a bug for Madeira parents.

The brother school is, and always has been, Woodberry Forest.

I’m a parent at Madeira and thought the PP’s take was pretty accurate. Compared to our previous private/public experiences, there are fewer opportunities/expectations around parental socializing. I imagine this is typical for most 9-12 schools though and is a plus for us at this point. The girls do have mixers with multiple schools with no obvious special relationship with WF (fortunately) from what I can tell. TBH, I wish they mixed with the independent schools rather than the boarding schools.

I spoke to a Madeira dad and Woodberry Forest grad who told me all about his fond memory of mixers. There is a long history there and there are always 2 mixers a year. I don’t know anything about the school (WF) and I’m not a booster but these are facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These schools are very very different. Stone Ridge tends to be a mostly Catholic, white, preppy, conservative school with many country club members and it is in Maryland and close vicinity to other single sex schools. Parents are very involved and hands on at the school.

Madeira is only 9-12 - many boarders so moms are not that involved which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Friends that had/have daughters there said they do not know parents except for the few that belong to local country clubs or Met Club. Much more diverse and lots of international families. Geographically in Virgiana and more isolated and does not have brother school. More progressive girls and families overall.

I have a daughter at Madeira and can provide better information than the poster that always posts about Madeira despite not having a daughter there. Parents have an opportunity to socialize throughout the year. Family Friday Dinners, which families are invited to dine on the first Friday of the month. Family Friday Events two or three times a year where parents spend the day on campus. Parents attend classes with their students, attend PTA meetings, eat lunch, attend cocktail hour, etc. There are volunteering opportunities with Cookie Momsters, teacher appreciation events, and chaperoning. Parents also have a happy hour on the nights of dances. There is an active PTA and parents socialize at games.

But it is true, that the school really encourages students to self advocate and discourages the helicoptering that is so common in this area. It’s also true that Madeira is more diverse and doesn’t support the country club cliques often found at other schools. This a feature not a bug for Madeira parents.

The brother school is, and always has been, Woodberry Forest.

+1

[Anonymous]

If you like the Holy Child, Oakcrest, Trinity crowd, pick Stone Ridge.

[Anonymous]

My sister and I both went to Madeira, and loved it. It is a truly special place. I cannot say enough good things about it.

[Anonymous]

I forgot to mention I am also an introvert, and it was amazing not needing to find a place at a school with established friendships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you like the Holy Child, Oakcrest, Trinity crowd, pick Stone Ridge.

What does this mean? What is this crowd like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These schools are very very different. Stone Ridge tends to be a mostly Catholic, white, preppy, conservative school with many country club members and it is in Maryland and close vicinity to other single sex schools. Parents are very involved and hands on at the school.

Madeira is only 9-12 - many boarders so moms are not that involved which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Friends that had/have daughters there said they do not know parents except for the few that belong to local country clubs or Met Club. Much more diverse and lots of international families. Geographically in Virgiana and more isolated and does not have brother school. More progressive girls and families overall.

I have a daughter at Madeira and can provide better information than the poster that always posts about Madeira despite not having a daughter there. Parents have an opportunity to socialize throughout the year. Family Friday Dinners, which families are invited to dine on the first Friday of the month. Family Friday Events two or three times a year where parents spend the day on campus. Parents attend classes with their students, attend PTA meetings, eat lunch, attend cocktail hour, etc. There are volunteering opportunities with Cookie Momsters, teacher appreciation events, and chaperoning. Parents also have a happy hour on the nights of dances. There is an active PTA and parents socialize at games.

But it is true, that the school really encourages students to self advocate and discourages the helicoptering that is so common in this area. It’s also true that Madeira is more diverse and doesn’t support the country club cliques often found at other schools. This a feature not a bug for Madeira parents.

The brother school is, and always has been, Woodberry Forest.

I’m a parent at Madeira and thought the PP’s take was pretty accurate. Compared to our previous private/public experiences, there are fewer opportunities/expectations around parental socializing. I imagine this is typical for most 9-12 schools though and is a plus for us at this point. The girls do have mixers with multiple schools with no obvious special relationship with WF (fortunately) from what I can tell. TBH, I wish they mixed with the independent schools rather than the boarding schools.

But that is what boarding schools do. Should they have lots of events where only a portion of families can actually attend? If you want a day school and all that goes with it, go to a day school.

As I said, it’s a plus for us. We’ve already done those events for so many years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These schools are very very different. Stone Ridge tends to be a mostly Catholic, white, preppy, conservative school with many country club members and it is in Maryland and close vicinity to other single sex schools. Parents are very involved and hands on at the school.

Madeira is only 9-12 - many boarders so moms are not that involved which can be good or bad depending on your preference. Friends that had/have daughters there said they do not know parents except for the few that belong to local country clubs or Met Club. Much more diverse and lots of international families. Geographically in Virgiana and more isolated and does not have brother school. More progressive girls and families overall.

I have a daughter at Madeira and can provide better information than the poster that always posts about Madeira despite not having a daughter there. Parents have an opportunity to socialize throughout the year. Family Friday Dinners, which families are invited to dine on the first Friday of the month. Family Friday Events two or three times a year where parents spend the day on campus. Parents attend classes with their students, attend PTA meetings, eat lunch, attend cocktail hour, etc. There are volunteering opportunities with Cookie Momsters, teacher appreciation events, and chaperoning. Parents also have a happy hour on the nights of dances. There is an active PTA and parents socialize at games.

But it is true, that the school really encourages students to self advocate and discourages the helicoptering that is so common in this area. It’s also true that Madeira is more diverse and doesn’t support the country club cliques often found at other schools. This a feature not a bug for Madeira parents.

The brother school is, and always has been, Woodberry Forest.

I’m a parent at Madeira and thought the PP’s take was pretty accurate. Compared to our previous private/public experiences, there are fewer opportunities/expectations around parental socializing. I imagine this is typical for most 9-12 schools though and is a plus for us at this point. The girls do have mixers with multiple schools with no obvious special relationship with WF (fortunately) from what I can tell. TBH, I wish they mixed with the independent schools rather than the boarding schools.

I spoke to a Madeira dad and Woodberry Forest grad who told me all about his fond memory of mixers. There is a long history there and there are always 2 mixers a year. I don’t know anything about the school (WF) and I’m not a booster but these are facts.

They have mixers with multiple schools. Unfortunately, there are slim pickings for boys boarding schools in the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stone Ridge is academically on par with Holy Child.

This is patently false. HC is no where near SR academically. Not sure where you are getting this information but anyone who knows the schools knows they are no where near the same academically.

Madeira is further ahead academically of SR than SR is of HC. I can’t believe this is even a discussion.

False. Actually Madeira and SR are pretty close academically and both far ahead of HC. Let's end this argument now with hard numbers:



MADEIRA




STONE RIDGE




HOLY CHILD

Are you using Niche? Because IF Niche is your compass, Madeira is ranked #3 in the DC area. Stone Ridge is ranked somewhere down in the 20s or 30s. Honestly I got tired of scrolling down to find it.

Well that's quite the exageration considering SR is #18. People really like to stretch the truth around here. Oh and Madeira is not #3 either.

Niche 2024 Best College Prep Private HS in DC
Madeira #3
SR #18
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/college-prep-private-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

Niche 2024 Best All Girls HS USA
Madeira #7
SR #28
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-all-girls-high-schools/

2024 Best All Girls HS DC
Madeira #1
SR#4
Holy Cross #5
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-all-girls-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

DP but is there anyone who really believes that Madeira is better than GDS, NCS, St Albans, Holton, Potomac?
Come' on now!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stone Ridge is academically on par with Holy Child.

This is patently false. HC is no where near SR academically. Not sure where you are getting this information but anyone who knows the schools knows they are no where near the same academically.

Madeira is further ahead academically of SR than SR is of HC. I can’t believe this is even a discussion.

False. Actually Madeira and SR are pretty close academically and both far ahead of HC. Let's end this argument now with hard numbers:



MADEIRA




STONE RIDGE




HOLY CHILD

Are you using Niche? Because IF Niche is your compass, Madeira is ranked #3 in the DC area. Stone Ridge is ranked somewhere down in the 20s or 30s. Honestly I got tired of scrolling down to find it.

Well that's quite the exageration considering SR is #18. People really like to stretch the truth around here. Oh and Madeira is not #3 either.

Niche 2024 Best College Prep Private HS in DC
Madeira #3
SR #18
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/college-prep-private-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

Niche 2024 Best All Girls HS USA
Madeira #7
SR #28
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-all-girls-high-schools/

2024 Best All Girls HS DC
Madeira #1
SR#4
Holy Cross #5
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-all-girls-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

DP but is there anyone who really believes that Madeira is better than GDS, NCS, St Albans, Holton, Potomac?
Come' on now!

Madeira has a long standing history of excellence. It has an incredible network globally, and offers a wonderful education. It is definitely en par with GDS, NCS, St. Albans, Holton, Potomac, etc. Anyone who says otherwise, clearly doesn't know the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stone Ridge is academically on par with Holy Child.

This is patently false. HC is no where near SR academically. Not sure where you are getting this information but anyone who knows the schools knows they are no where near the same academically.

Madeira is further ahead academically of SR than SR is of HC. I can’t believe this is even a discussion.

False. Actually Madeira and SR are pretty close academically and both far ahead of HC. Let's end this argument now with hard numbers:



MADEIRA






STONE RIDGE




HOLY CHILD

Are you using Niche? Because IF Niche is your compass, Madeira is ranked #3 in the DC area. Stone Ridge is ranked somewhere down in the 20s or 30s. Honestly I got tired of scrolling down to find it.

Well that's quite the exageration considering SR is #18. People really like to stretch the truth around here. Oh and Madeira is not #3 either.

Niche 2024 Best College Prep Private HS in DC
Madeira #3
SR #18
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/college-prep-private-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

Niche 2024 Best All Girls HS USA
Madeira #7
SR #28
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-all-girls-high-schools/

2024 Best All Girls HS DC
Madeira #1
SR#4
Holy Cross #5
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-all-girls-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

DP but is there anyone who really believes that Madeira is better than GDS, NCS, St Albans, Holton, Potomac?
Come' on now!

Niche 2024 Best College Prep Private HS in DC
Madeira #3
GDS #4
Holton #7
NCS #4
Potomac #13
St Albans #6
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/college-prep-private-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

Niche 2024 Best All Girls HS USA
Madeira #7
GDS N/A
Holton #12
NCS #10
Potomac N/A
St Albans N/A
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-all-girls-high-schools/

2024 Best All Girls HS DC
Madeira #1
GDS N/A
Holton #3
NCS #2
Potomac N/A
St Albans N/A
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-all-girls-high-schools/m/washington-dc-metro-area/

Best Schools in Virginia
Madeira #2
GDS N/A
Holton N/A
NCS N/A
Potomac #4
St Albans N/A
https://www.niche.com/k12/search/best-schools/s/virginia/