The Madeira School (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked VA School
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 324 students
Yearly Tuition: $58,000
Acceptance rate: 40%
Average class size: 12 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

The Madeira School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

National Coalition of Girls
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

Students By Grade

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Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	The Madeira School
9	69
10	86
11	88
12	81

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Offers Post-Graduate Year

Yes

ADD/ADHD Support

Yes

Learning Difference Programs

Yes

Year Founded

1906

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Campus Size

376 acres

Student Body

Total Students

324 students

Student Body Type

All-girls

% Students of Color

34%

State avg.: 31%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

35 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

9:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

86%

Average Class Size

12 students

Number of AP Courses

18 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

Art HistoryBiology

Calculus ABCalculus BC

ChemistryComparative Government & Politics

English LanguageEnglish Literature

French LanguageFrench Literature

Latin LiteratureLatin: Vergil

Physics BS Government & Politics

Spanish LanguageSpanish Literature

US History

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Average SAT score

1350

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Casual

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 15

Yearly Tuition Cost

$58,000

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

See website

% on Financial Aid

40%

Acceptance Rate

40%

National avg.: 82%

Admissions Director

Emily Reynolds

Endowment Size

$60 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

17 sports

Sports

Martial ArtsRock Climbing

SoccerSoftball

SwimmingTennis

Track and FieldVolleyball

Winter Track

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Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.

34 extracurriculars

ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.

Club or Organization:

60+ ClubsBlack Student Union

Chinese Culture ClubCLIPUS Foundation

Debate ClubFOCUS

French ClubGay Straight Alliance

Generation ProgressGirl Up

Green TeamHands on Housing

Japanese ClubJudaism at Madeira

Korean Students AssociationMath and Computer Science Club

Mental Health Awareness ClubMuslim Student Association

Science and Engineering ClubSouth Asian Student Association

Spanish ClubStress Relief Club

Young DemocratsYoung Republicans

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Arts and Music Programs:

A Capella and Glee GroupsChamber Orchestra

DanceGATE: Literary Magazine

Madeira Arts CouncilSlam Poetry Club

Technical TheaterTheater

Recreational Athletic Programs:

Badminton ClubKarate

School Notes

Madeira is an independent boarding and day school educating 325 girls in grades 9 through 12.
Our 376-acre campus is located 15 minutes from Washington, D.C. in McLean, Virginia.
Madeira`s challenging academic programs and experiential learning opportunities, like the award winning Co-Curriculum internship program, cultivate women leaders who are ready to make positive impacts in their local and global communities.

School Motto: Launching women who change the world.
School Mascot: Snail

Madeira`s curriculum is grounded in expert teaching and active involvement of the students when planning their academic paths. Personal academic advising enables girls to customize a schedule beyond graduation requirements, offering them the highest degree of challenge that best suits their interests. From AP Art History to iPad App Development, students may take advantage of the many upper-level courses offered.
The innovative Co-Curriculum program at Madeira integrates experiential learning with the cultural, political, and business life of the nation`s capital. Every Wednesday, girls learn from real-world experience, graduating with a solid resume that rivals that of college students. The unique grade-level objectives of the Co-Curriculum program progress from learning about identity and community during freshman and sophomore years to experiencing "real-life work" and leadership training during junior-year internships in Capitol Hill offices and student-selected internships during the girls` senior year.

Madeira has 13 inter-scholastic sports, including an equestrian team, as well as instruction in music, dance, film, visual and performing arts, which give students competitive and creative outlets.
The campus, which overlooks the Potomac River from 376 scenic acres, is a place for study, play, and competition, home to superior academic, athletic, riding, and arts facilities. Sports facilities include a 32,000 square foot sports center with basketball and volleyball courts, indoor competition size pool, dance/aerobic studio, and strength and conditioning room. There are also eight hard-surface tennis courts, three playing fields, 49 stall barn, indoor riding arena, and extensive riding and hiking trails. The arts facilities includes a 500 seat proscenium theater, drama rehearsal space, scene shop, dance studios, private vocal and instrumental studios, and an art gallery.
With Washington, D.C. is 15 minutes away, students take advantage of shopping in Georgetown, movies at Tysons Corner, and dim sum in Chinatown. The 20 other independent boarding and day schools (including all-boys and co-ed schools) nearby provide plenty of social opportunities on the weekends.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Katherine Graham - Publisher, Washington Post
- Mika Brzezinski - New Anchor
- Alice Rivlin - Former director, Office of Management and Budget
- Stockard Channing - Actress
- Brooke Astor - Philanthropist
- Francis Sternhagen - Actress

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Madeira School cost?

The Madeira School's tuition is approximately $58,000 for private students.

What is the acceptance rate of The Madeira School?

The acceptance rate of The Madeira School is 40%, which is lower than the national average of 79%. The Madeira School's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Virginia with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from The Madeira School?

The Madeira School famous alumni include: Katherine Graham, Mika Brzezinski, Alice Rivlin, Stockard Channing, Brooke Astor and Francis Sternhagen.

Does The Madeira School offer a summer program?

Yes, The Madeira School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does The Madeira School offer?

The Madeira School offers 17 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Climbing, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Martial Arts, Rock Climbing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball and Winter Track. The Madeira School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for most sports offered.

What is The Madeira School's ranking?

The Madeira School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Virginia for: Highest average SAT score, Lowest average acceptance rates, Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Most extracurriculars offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.

When is the application deadline for The Madeira School?

The application deadline for The Madeira School is Jan. 15.

School Reviews

5 8/12/2018

Madeira is a warm, welcoming environment that nurtures teenage girls. They offer a very strong academic and athletic program and encourage girls to use their voices and become leaders. They have a very strong internship program with congressional and senate representatives. My daughter will have a better resume leaving high school than I did when I finished college. Wow! They offer financial aid and with a strong boarding population, there's always something to do on the weekends whether boarding or not. Driving onto campus in the morning and seeing the horses and then the Potomac River right behind campus always puts us in the right frame of mind for the rest of the day. I highly recommend the school.

- Posted by Parent - MamaKat

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Mc Lean, VA is $23,459 for elementary schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Mc Lean, VA is 76% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).