The Madeira School

SILVER PROGRAM

School Location

McLean, Virginia

Establishment Year

1906

Platform

Gateway, SAO, Ravenna

Website

Link

Acceptance Rate

37%

Deadline

Jan 15

Overview

Writing Requirements

Student Responses

Please write as much or as little as necessary to sufficiently answer the questions; however, it is recommended that you not exceed 250 words.

What about our mission and programs have drawn you to Madeira? (2,500 characters) (*)
What do you believe you will contribute to our school community and what do you need to grow and be your best self? (2,500 characters) (*)
Describe a deeply meaningful academic experience that you’ve had. How did this impact you? (2,500 characters) (*)
If there was a museum that was “All About You”, what five items would be on display to educate others about your life, your personality, and your passions? Why would you choose these items to portray your story? (2,500 characters) (*)

Now we are going to ask you to write a little more! Please respond in 250-500 words.

Describe one way you’ve cared for your community or someone in your community. How could you take that further and deepen your impact, either on your own or at Madeira? (5,000 characters)(*)

Parent Statement

Why are you considering Madeira for your child and what are your expectations for your child’s high school experience? (1,500 characters) (*)
What do you believe your child might contribute to our school community? Are there any particular skills or talents that you hope will be cultivated at your child’s next school? (1,500 characters) (*)
What role do you play in your child’s learning? How do you assist them with their homework and other academic commitments? (1,500 characters) (*)
What experience has posed the biggest academic and/or extracurricular challenge for your child? How did/have they responded to that challenge? (1,500 characters) (*)
Give an example of a time your child showed initiative when pursuing an interest or passion. (1,500 characters) (*)
Is there anything about the sequence of your child’s schooling that we should know? Did your child skip or repeat a year? Were they ever asked to withdraw from any school, suspended, or put on probation? (500 characters) (*)
If you answered yes to any of the questions above, please share the experience here. Were there particular things you or your daughter learned, gained, or changed as a result of that experience? (1,500 characters) (*)
Please list the other schools to which your child will be applying. (500 characters) (*)
Is there anything else you would like to share with us about your child so that we may best support them? (1,500 characters) (*)

Recommendation

Current Math Teacher Recommendation (*)
Current English Teacher Recommendation (*)
Current Principal/Counselor Recommendation (*)
(Optional) Special Interest or Personal Recommendation

Optional Materials

N/A

Standardized Testing & English Testing

Standardized testing

Standardized test scores are required in completing your application to Madeira.
9th & 10th Grade Applicants: SSAT, ISEE, ERB, or School, State, or Country mandated testing within the preceding two years.
11th Grade & PG Applicants: SSAT, PSAT, SAT, or ACT testing within the preceding two years.

English testing

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English by submitting either TOEFL or Duolingo English Test results.

Interview

How to Request an Admission Interview

Access our visit/interview calendar through your Ravenna account.

School Instructions:

Applicants are invited to visit campus and interview with a member of the Admissions team October through mid-January. Students who live outside of the region and are unable to visit campus can schedule an interview via Zoom. Either way, we are eager to meet you!

About The Madeira School

About The Madeira School

Independent all-girls boarding and day school for Grades 9–12.
Located in McLean, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., providing access to unique educational and leadership opportunities.
Founded in 1906 with a mission focused on preparing young women to become leaders and changemakers.
Enrolls approximately 340 students with a 4:1 student-to-adult ratio.
Student body includes girls from 20 U.S. states and 42 countries, creating a diverse and globally minded community.
Approximately 51% boarding students and 49% day students.
Ranked #1 Best Boarding School in Niche’s 2025 Best High Schools rankings.

School Is Known For

All-Girls Boarding and Day School dedicated exclusively to educating and empowering young women.
Co-Curriculum Internship Program (Signature Program) — one of Madeira’s most distinctive features. Every student participates in a structured internship program that provides five-week, college-like work experiences in areas such as public service, Capitol Hill, community service, STEM, healthcare, law, business, and advocacy. The program has placed students in more than 16,000 internships over nearly 60 years.
Equestrian Program (70+ Years of Tradition) — one of the few boarding schools with extensive on-campus riding facilities, offering instruction for both beginner and advanced riders. Students receive riding lessons, stable management training, and opportunities for competitive riding.
On-Campus Equestrian Facilities include a 30-stall stable, indoor and outdoor riding rings, school horses, boarding for student-owned horses, and year-round riding opportunities.
Competitive Riding Opportunities through USEF-rated competitions and the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), with a long history of regional, zone, and national-level success.
Leadership-Focused Education centered on the school’s mission of preparing young women to become leaders and changemakers.
Experiential Learning Model that emphasizes learning through real-world experiences rather than classroom instruction alone.
Strong programs in STEAM, arts, athletics, public policy, and leadership development.
Small-school environment with a 4:1 student-to-adult ratio and individualized support.

Culture

All-Girls Boarding Environment: A vibrant community where 51% of girls board across six tightly knit, small-scale campus dorms designed to build lifelong sisterhood.
Girls by Design Empowerment: An intentionally girl-centered culture where young women fearlessly claim 100% of leadership roles, speak up in STEM, and build absolute confidence.
Active Global Citizenship: Rooted in core values of intellectual curiosity, resilience, and compassion, motivating a diverse student body from dozens of countries to actively change the world.

SILVER PROGRAM