Madeira School

[JustJump]

An adult student of mine has a niece that may be interested in attending as a day student--it's not my neck of the woods though; any Madeira alums out there who can comment?

[Tackpud]

Alum here - from a long while back!:D The school is academically challenging, but you will graduate with a strong background to head to college. The Wednesday co-curricular program is good - you get to go into DC and intern at a variety of places. They are in a period of change - the current headmistress is leaving after 19 years and I'm not sure they have the replacement yet. (OK - I don't always read the alumna magazines...) Personally, I hated it while I was there, but look back now and see the opportunities the school gave me.

I'm sure there are some more recent graduates who will chime in.

[cgray0983]

I didn't go there - I went to Kent School to ride with Michael Page, but my "aunt" (actually god-mother, but she goes by aunt) is on the Board so I have visited and took the tour/learned about it. I have known one girl who graduated and really liked it. And of course my "aunt" raves about it. Its a beautiful school, I only chose Kent over it and the other riding schools because of the draw that Michael Page had at Kent (he is still the head coach there).

Good luck to the young lady who is school searching :-)

[jhg140]

I am a 2004 graduate. Like Tackpud said, the academics are outstanding. I was not the smartest girl in my class by any means, and despite this, the highly competitive honors program I attended at my state school was a BREEEEEEZE - which made all the work in HS so worth it.

In terms of riding, no, the school program is not going to offer you a world class opportunity. Its the same situation as college riding teams, they are what they are, and if you want to do the A shows, you need to find your own way. However, because there is an on campus riding program, the administration was pretty receptive to riding related absences. My junior year was the first year anyone went to Florida, and my senior year, both myself and my roommate did about 5-6 weekends (me at WEF, her in Ocala). The proximity of the school to DC and the Amtrak trains made it a breeze to get to all of the indoors (of course, this was when there was an NYC show), and there are so many A shows within 1-2 hours from school. From what I've seen and heard, more and more girls have been able to convince the administration to let them go to Florida in years past.

If your student's niece is up for a really hard core education, then yeah, it would probably be worth a hard look. If its a kid who just wants to have your average hs experience, than no, there won't be football and homecoming and all of that other stuff. I'm definitely grateful for my education, though, and I know that without it, I would not have had the phenomenal college experience that I did.

[maybedog]

JustJump PM me if you want info on the riding program. Many changes are on the horizon.:(

[Ben and Me]

The campus is absolutely beautiful -- there is a stunning view of the Potomac from the back part of campus. The library is gorgeous as well. My aunt went there, I went to a 1 week long "Girls Leadership" camp there, applied as a boarding student, was accepted, and almost went (would have been class of 2004! We would've been classmates, JHG!). I loved all of my counselors from camp (they were all students)--they were intelligent and fun to be with. I ended up choosing a coed ISL rival, but loved every visit out to Madeira to play soccer.

I think it can be a little tough to go to a school that has a mix of boarders and day students, but fortunately Madeira only has a high school, which I'd imagine makes it a little easier (as opposed to some schools in the area, where there are students who literally attend from Pre-K through 12th grade!)

I hope Madeira doesn't lose it's riding program (if that's what maybedog is alluding to). I would always sneak into the barn "to go to the bathroom" during half time or after games, and visit with the ponies. It was nice since I ended up choosing a school that didn't have a riding team.

[JinxyFish313]

JustJump PM me if you want info on the riding program. Many changes are on the horizon.:(

PM sent.

[Tackpud]

JustJump PM me if you want info on the riding program. Many changes are on the horizon.:(

PM sent as well.