Anonymous
01/19/2026 01:16
Subject: What is Madeira like?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Madeira is a great school for the girl who already has some executive functioning skills and is willing to figure out the Mod system. As a parent of a sophomore, we've been impressed with the range of girls and their interests and the general atmosphere and kindness. Racial diversity is impressive - even within the US students.
And you can juggle an out of school serious activity with Madeira - the school will work with the girl. There are girls who are on 5/day a week activities outside of school including ice hockey teams, competitive figure skating, riding teams (outside of Madeira), golf etc. etc. And again, the 'mean girl' that accompanies many all girls high schools seems to be just an occasional blip.
Our daughter is working hard and enjoys the silliness of Madeira spirit and has an amazing group of friends.
Although I agree that the there are nice girls and amazing spirit, I disagree that the school will work with you with an out of school activity and that it is easy- my daughter does have an activity outside of school and is finding it very difficult to keep up with the work load and mandatory after school activities through Madeira. There are wonderful things about the school, especially the nice community, but it is not easy to have a serious activity outside of Madeira.
+1
DC’s bestie from k-8 struggled with this and considered leaving Madeira because of the difficulty in balancing a serious outside activity even though she loved the school. Ultimately stayed, but it’s not easy.
Anonymous
01/18/2026 22:47
Subject: What is Madeira like?
Anonymous wrote:Madeira is a great school for the girl who already has some executive functioning skills and is willing to figure out the Mod system. As a parent of a sophomore, we've been impressed with the range of girls and their interests and the general atmosphere and kindness. Racial diversity is impressive - even within the US students.
And you can juggle an out of school serious activity with Madeira - the school will work with the girl. There are girls who are on 5/day a week activities outside of school including ice hockey teams, competitive figure skating, riding teams (outside of Madeira), golf etc. etc. And again, the 'mean girl' that accompanies many all girls high schools seems to be just an occasional blip.
Our daughter is working hard and enjoys the silliness of Madeira spirit and has an amazing group of friends.
Although I agree that the there are nice girls and amazing spirit, I disagree that the school will work with you with an out of school activity and that it is easy- my daughter does have an activity outside of school and is finding it very difficult to keep up with the work load and mandatory after school activities through Madeira. There are wonderful things about the school, especially the nice community, but it is not easy to have a serious activity outside of Madeira.
Anonymous
01/17/2026 14:06
Subject: What is Madeira like?
Madeira is a great school for the girl who already has some executive functioning skills and is willing to figure out the Mod system. As a parent of a sophomore, we've been impressed with the range of girls and their interests and the general atmosphere and kindness. Racial diversity is impressive - even within the US students.
And you can juggle an out of school serious activity with Madeira - the school will work with the girl. There are girls who are on 5/day a week activities outside of school including ice hockey teams, competitive figure skating, riding teams (outside of Madeira), golf etc. etc. And again, the 'mean girl' that accompanies many all girls high schools seems to be just an occasional blip.
Our daughter is working hard and enjoys the silliness of Madeira spirit and has an amazing group of friends.
And you can juggle an out of school serious activity with Madeira - the school will work with the girl. There are girls who are on 5/day a week activities outside of school including ice hockey teams, competitive figure skating, riding teams (outside of Madeira), golf etc. etc. And again, the 'mean girl' that accompanies many all girls high schools seems to be just an occasional blip.
Our daughter is working hard and enjoys the silliness of Madeira spirit and has an amazing group of friends.
Anonymous
01/17/2026 11:43
Subject: What is Madeira like?
It's a very special place. Very positive and supportive.
The only negative that we've experienced is the pace of AP courses with the mod system. They squeeze an an entire AP course into 15 weeks.
It's very fast-paced and requires excellent time management. It's pretty easy to get behind, especially if you are out sick.
The only negative that we've experienced is the pace of AP courses with the mod system. They squeeze an an entire AP course into 15 weeks.
It's very fast-paced and requires excellent time management. It's pretty easy to get behind, especially if you are out sick.
Anonymous
01/17/2026 11:19
Subject: What is Madeira like?
Anonymous wrote:It's a supportive environment that offers the best of all-girls without the "mean girl" behavior. Truly. It is unique, and our family feels so lucky to have found it.
I agree with this. Along with that supportive environment comes a lot of leadership opportunities as well. It’s been very positive for our daughter and I think the small classes mix of day/boarding and the mod system have compelled a lot of interaction for her with classmates that have different interests/backgrounds.
Anonymous
01/17/2026 10:46
Subject: What is Madeira like?
Different vibe than other DC schools private and public schools. Not as much emphasis on college outcomes ( this is not inherently bad).
Many different kinds of girls from all over the world and US. That may be uncomfortable for some. Racially things for charged in the last decade, but things have cooled down.
Many different kinds of girls from all over the world and US. That may be uncomfortable for some. Racially things for charged in the last decade, but things have cooled down.
Anonymous
01/16/2026 23:48
Subject: What is Madeira like?
Anonymous wrote:A friend who attended Madeira chose it over Groton and Exeter because she could have her horse there. There is a lot of context there, lol.
But first, with Madeira, I always think of "The Scarsdale Diet" and murder.
There have been a few changes in the ensuing decades. lol.
Anonymous
01/16/2026 20:56
Subject: What is Madeira like?
A friend who attended Madeira chose it over Groton and Exeter because she could have her horse there. There is a lot of context there, lol.
But first, with Madeira, I always think of "The Scarsdale Diet" and murder.
But first, with Madeira, I always think of "The Scarsdale Diet" and murder.
Anonymous
01/16/2026 20:37
Subject: What is Madeira like?
Anonymous wrote:Np. We are considering it for DD. She's an introvert, a VERY serious student, has an interest in arts and robotics(interesting combination). She's not sporty, but the rock climbing team piqued her interest a bit. She's interested in boarding, but wants to stay somewhat local. Episcopal was a bit too sporty for her as well as Mcdonogh. The Baltimore girls boarding schools were too small.
If the mod system seems like it would work well for her, Madeira would be a great fit.
Anonymous
01/16/2026 13:21
Subject: What is Madeira like?
It's a supportive environment that offers the best of all-girls without the "mean girl" behavior. Truly. It is unique, and our family feels so lucky to have found it.
Anonymous
01/16/2026 12:35
Subject: What is Madeira like?
Np. We are considering it for DD. She's an introvert, a VERY serious student, has an interest in arts and robotics(interesting combination). She's not sporty, but the rock climbing team piqued her interest a bit. She's interested in boarding, but wants to stay somewhat local. Episcopal was a bit too sporty for her as well as Mcdonogh. The Baltimore girls boarding schools were too small.
Anonymous
01/16/2026 10:05
Subject: What is Madeira like?
Nothing but good things to say about the school from this dad to a Madeira senior. Top notch facilities, incredible rigor and a very kind group of girls.
Anonymous
01/16/2026 09:54
Subject: What is Madeira like?
Anonymous wrote:The mod system isn’t a good for everyone, and the 50/50 boarding/day split is also a differentiator. The s hesule is such that even day students are required/encouraged to be on campus for lots of hours outside of the main school day. It’s very difficult to maintain any kind of time-consuming non-school activity or hobby.
It’s a phenomenal school if it’s a good fit, but it isn’t a good fit for everyone.
+1 This. Nice girls, beautiful school, a lot of work and very rigorous!
Anonymous
01/15/2026 15:10
Subject: What is Madeira like?
The mod system isn’t a good for everyone, and the 50/50 boarding/day split is also a differentiator. The s hesule is such that even day students are required/encouraged to be on campus for lots of hours outside of the main school day. It’s very difficult to maintain any kind of time-consuming non-school activity or hobby.
It’s a phenomenal school if it’s a good fit, but it isn’t a good fit for everyone.
It’s a phenomenal school if it’s a good fit, but it isn’t a good fit for everyone.
Anonymous
01/15/2026 14:18
Subject: What is Madeira like?
I rarely hear about it. Why is not as popular as Holton, NCS, Potomac, etc?