Inside Madeira

Inside MadeiraA Guide for Prospective Students and Their Parents

MADEIRA GIRLS have something

to say

”“

Thank you for your interest in Madeira. We realize that selecting a school is a major

decision — one that will affect the rest of your life. Madeira provides girls with both

academic challenge and an environment that fosters independence of thought and

action. It is our goal that students emerge from their time at Madeira with confidence

and conviction, with something to say.

Your Madeira experience will have many dimensions. It begins with getting to know us

and completing the application process, and continues through learning what it’s like to

be a first-year student and ultimately preparing for life after Madeira. We hope this guide

will provide you with some insight into how Madeira works and what you can expect

throughout your experience. We also encourage you to visit www.madeira.org for more

information about many aspects of the school. What’s the best way to truly understand

the Madeira that we, and our 6,000 alumnae, know and love? Come visit! You are always

welcome here, and we look forward to meeting you.


to say“”

Table of Contents

www.madeira.org Inside Madeira • 1

Our Mission 2

Our Profile 2

Arranging a Visit—Timing and Process 3

What a Day and a Week Look Like—A Snapshot 4–5

What a Year Looks Like—The Calendar 6

Resources and Facilities 7–8

Guidance and Support Offerings 9

Athletic Options 10

Clubs and Activities 11

Dorm Life 12

The Academic Program 13–17

Co-Curriculum—Why and How it Works 18–19

Life after Madeira 20–21

Applying for Admission 22–23

Tuition and Financial Aid 24–27

Our Mission

Our Profile

The mission of The Madeira School was clearly envisioned by founder Lucy Madeira in 1906. She believed that

it was both our duty and our privilege to help young women to understand their changing world and to have

the confidence to live lives that are of their own making, their own passions, their own dreams.

At The Madeira School, we believe that the most effective and ethical leaders for tomorrow, whether academic,

artistic, athletic, political, social, or professional will be those possessing a clear sense of self, of community,

and the world, as well as a strong commitment to lifelong learning and social service.

Madeira provides a rich and varied community that appreciates the distinctive social, emotional, and academic

needs of young women. In our commitment to the mission of Lucy Madeira, we strive to empower and encourage

the Madeira student to explore her interests, develop her abilities, act with self-confidence and compassion,

and assume responsibility for her actions in the global community.

• One of the country’s leading boarding and day programs for girls in ninth to twelfth grades

• Educating 300 girls from throughout the United States and abroad in an academically rigorous college

preparatory program

• Nationally recognized Co-Curriculum Program of weekly internship opportunities

• Located on a 376-acre wooded campus 12 miles from Washington, DC; campus includes 34 buildings,

48 classrooms

• 100% of our students attend college

• Average class size: 12

• Our students take an average of 200 Advanced Placement exams a year, 70% of whom earn a score of 4 or better

• 20% of Madeira girls receive financial aid

• 13 sports teams; 65% of all girls play on at least one team

• 33% students of color; 13% international students; 55% boarding and 45% day

• 43 faculty members (34 with master’s degree or higher)

2 • Inside Madeira www.madeira.org

Arranging a Visit—Timing and ProcessThere are many opportunities to visit Madeira. You can arrange your visit simply by calling our Admission Office

at 703.556.8273. Your interview and tour can be scheduled on most days (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday)

that school is in session. Tours and interviews are scheduled between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Please allow two

hours for your tour and interview. A class visit may be scheduled on Tuesday or Thursday when school is in ses-

sion. For more details on the school calendar, including days when school would not be in session, please see the

calendar section of the website.

We encourage all applicants to attend an Open House program (see schedule below). Boarding applicants often

choose to return the next day for their interview and class visit.

The Admissions CalendarPlease use this calendar as a guide for planning your application process.

September and October: Attend an Admissions Open House

Schedule your campus visit and interview

Submit your application

Register for November, December, or January SSAT

November: Begin to distribute the required recommendation and

transcript release forms to your current school, and submit your application

as soon as it is complete

December: Check the status of your application on the Madeira website

Follow up with your current school as needed

January: Submit your application by January 31

February: Submit all Financial Aid material by February 15

March: Admissions decision letters mailed

April: Accepted student enrollment decisions due

Visit www.madeira.org/admissions for more information on visiting campus and forupdated calendar information.


A SnapshotIt is difficult to convey how much occurs in a day or a week at Madeira. From classes and Co-Curriculum projects

to a range of athletic events and outings, it all makes for an intense but fulfilling schedule.

A typical weekday begins with breakfast served in the Dining Hall between 7:00 and 7:45 a.m. Depending on

your grade level, you may be expected to sign-in at breakfast. Classes begin at 7:50 a.m. and conclude by

4:00 p.m. every day. But the day is hardly over here. After classes, you will practice with your team, meet with

your piano instructor, ride your horse, take after-school PE, or confer with your teacher. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m.

(seniors get to come to dinner at 5:30 p.m.!), and by 6:30 you will be studying in the dorm, attending a

student government or other student group meeting, working on the yearbook, or attending a musical

Soiree. Boarders check-in at their dorm at 7:30 p.m., and then depending on your grade level you might

attend Study Hall. You are back in your dorm at 10:00 p.m., and for an hour you can visit with friends until

lights out at 11 p.m. (for ninth and tenth graders—upperclasswomen do not have lights out).

There is no typical weekend, either! On Friday night, school busettes take boarders to the mall or a play—or

girls stay on campus for karaoke in the Student Center. Saturday morning is very quiet, as most girls like to

sleep in or study, and Bessie’s brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. In the afternoon, you will study,

or take a trip to DC for skating on the Mall, visit a museum, or attend a sporting event at one of the area’s

other boarding schools. There is something planned every Saturday evening, and day girls often come back

to campus for these events—a mixer, a party at a faculty member’s home, a play at the Kennedy Center, or

movies and popcorn in the dorm. On Sunday morning, and throughout the weekend, school busettes take

girls to religious services, and then on Sunday afternoon, there is another outing to Washington or to a cultural

event. Throughout the weekend, when girls are finished with homework, campus adults are driving busettes

full of girls to the mall, on Target runs, and on trips to “downtown” McLean!

What a Day and a Week Look Like


Weekly HighlightsOn Mondays and Thursdays, girls attend an All School

Meeting featuring a special speaker or general school

announcements. Wednesdays are Co-Curriculum days,

allowing every Madeira girl to explore the real world

via study, internships, and community service (see

Page 18 for more information). Athletic contests are

usually scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Friday

evening girls begin their weekends, which may include

sleeping at the home of a day girl or inviting her to

stay with you.

How do the schedules of day students and boarders

fit together?

During the school week, you can hardly tell the difference

between day and boarding girls. Day girls are visiting

with boarders in their rooms, or both boarding and

day girls are working in the library or visiting in the

Student Center. In the evening, day girls often stop by

the Dining Hall for dinner after a game, practice, or

other activity. Once Study Hall begins, things quiet

down considerably, and while day girls are invited to

attend Study Hall whenever they would like (indeed,

are required to attend if they are still on campus)

many go home at that point.

What do the weekends feel like at Madeira?

Weekends really begin on Friday evening, with busettes

of boarding and day girls taking off in many different

directions to take advantage of the various activities

the Washington, DC area holds. The House Adults

plan a wide range of activities every weekend,

including a variety of co-ed activities, athletic events,

cultural outings, and regularly scheduled trips to

shopping malls and movies. Girls take advantage of

what the city has to offer, including performances at

the Kennedy Center, ice skating on the Mall, exhibits

at the Smithsonian, and professional sporting events.

Some boarding girls also spend the weekend at the

home of a day girl friend. Most Madeira girls will do

some homework during the weekend.

How much freedom do boarding students have in

terms of leaving the campus?

Madeira has a parent-based permissions policy

designed with three goals in mind: 1) your safety;

2) teaching the importance of planning ahead and

budgeting time accordingly; 3) teaching the necessity

of making appropriate choices. Parents decide with

whom you may leave the campus, where you are

allowed to go, and how you are to get there. The

school takes every necessary step to ensure your safety

while allowing you to explore the Washington, DC

cultural opportunities and to gain considerable

independence in the process.

Does Madeira hold chapel services? What about

moral and ethical education?

Madeira is a secular school and does not promote the

religious beliefs of any one denomination or faith, nor

does it hold chapel services. Girls are encouraged to

attend religious services of their own choosing at area

churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses

of worship.

Madeira fully supports and values personal beliefs.

The Dean of Students Office is responsible for a yearly

curriculum that focuses on ethical and moral growth.

All School assemblies, select advisor meetings, and

informal seminars deal with the life issues facing young

adults of today. The goal of the program is to help girls

make educated and responsible decisions.

Madeira ninth graders take an Ethics course as part of

their Co-Curriculum experience.


What a Year Looks LikeThe CalendarThe following is a general overview of the Madeira school year. For specific details, please check the online

calendar at www.madeira.org.

August: New and returning students arrive for orientation: Labor Day weekend

September: Opening convocation: Tuesday after Labor Day

Classes begin Wednesday after Labor Day

October: Parents’ Weekend: Friday–Saturday of Columbus Day weekend

No classes on Monday and Tuesday of that weekend

International Week: Monday of week containing October 24

Halloween: October 31—a special class schedule is set for Halloween parade

November: Fall Play: first weekend in November

Thanksgiving Break: begins the Friday before Thanksgiving

Classes resume the Tuesday following Thanksgiving

December: Winterfest: Thursdays before mid-term exams

Mid-term exams: four days preceding the Friday before Christmas

Winter Break: Friday before Christmas to following New Year’s Day

January: Martin Luther King Jr. weekend: No classes on Monday of this weekend

February: Parents’ Weekend II—College Counseling: Saturday before Presidents’ weekend

Winter Weekend: No classes Friday or Monday of Presidents’ weekend

March: Spring Break: A two-week vacation that begins on the second Friday in March

May: Graduation: Saturday of Memorial Day weekend

June: Last day of exams: generally two weeks after graduation


Resources and FacilitiesIt Starts with a Superior FacultyMadeira’s superior academic reputation is a consequence of com-

mitted students and an equally committed and experienced faculty.

Your teachers at Madeira, who teach in an environment where the

average class size is 12 students, will be on the sidelines at your field

hockey game, attend your play, perhaps serve as your House Adult,

and join you for Wednesday Seated Dinner. Adult involvement with

nonacademic activities on campus ensures that you will be known

both in and outside the classroom.

Access to the Nation’s CapitalJust fifteen minutes from the political center of the United States,

Madeira is situated so girls are able to access all that Washington DC

has to offer. In addition to frequent visits to Washington for your

Co-Curriculum placement, you and your friends will have the oppor-

tunity to go into the city to visit museums such as the Smithsonian

Institution, attend theatrical and musical performances at the Kennedy

Center and other venues, dine out and shop in Georgetown, or visit

the other landmarks, including the White House, Supreme Court,

and world-renowned National Zoo.


A Campus Equal to Many CollegesMadeira’s 376-acre campus has as much space and resources per student as many colleges. The 46 classrooms

are housed principally in three spaces: Schoolhouse I, a traditional classroom building; the Science Building,

which includes fully equipped research and photo labs; and the newly renovated Schoolhouse II, which features

the expanded Academic Skills Center and a 100-seat theatre-style classroom. The Art Building/Studio has facilities

for painting, sculpture, printmaking, and ceramics. Performing arts courses are held in the Auditorium, which

consists of a 500-seat theater with professional lighting and scene shop, voice and instrument practice rooms,

rehearsal space, a costume room, the art gallery, and one of two dance studios. All physical education classes

and athletics are housed in the Hurd Sports Center. The entire campus operates on a fiber-optic-based computer

network, with a broad complement of services designed to facilitate communications and information gathering,

including wireless Internet service in most classroom buildings and all dormitories. There are more than 75

networked PC and Macintosh computers on campus accessible to all students.

Some of Madeira’s other resources:• The Student Center/Dining Hall was expanded and renovated in 2004, and includes a 300-seat dining hall,

as well as a large student center with pool table, flat-screen TV, sound equipment, and plenty of comfy

chairs and tables. The basement includes a bookstore, mailroom, and lockers for the day girls.

• The Huffington Library was converted from the old gymnasium and includes 20,000 volumes, computer stations

for student use, and the school’s archive collection.

• The Hurd Sports Center features an Olympic-sized indoor pool, basketball and volleyball courts, aerobic and

weight training rooms, a dance studio, locker rooms, and the athletic training office.

• Gaines Hall is home to Madeira’s riding program, and includes an impressive indoor riding arena, adjacent to

stable facilities and two outdoor riding rings.

Life at Madeira also revolves around the six dormitories, each housing 25–30 girls and a House Adult.

The Health Center is a 21-bed facility, and nearly 40 adults live in faculty housing throughout the campus.

Our 376 acres along a ridge high above the Potomac Gorge basin includes three playing fields, an outdoor

natural amphitheater, tennis courts, riding trails, and a ropes and outdoor education course.


Guidance and Support Offerings

The Counseling CenterThe counseling program at Madeira is one of several

resources available to help our students adjust to changes

they go through during adolescence. Any student or

parent is encouraged to seek out the counselor

regarding personal, social, or emotional concerns. The

counseling office, located in “The Den” under North

Dorm, is open during the day and after school.

PEERSPEERS stands for “People Engaging in Empathy, Respect,

and Support.” This student group is an extension of the

preventative counseling service at Madeira. Selected

students are trained to provide support and health

information to their peers on campus. The 14 juniors

and seniors who are selected receive intensive training,

which includes talks by visiting experts on such issues as

stress management, nutrition, substance abuse, depres-

sion, grief, and eating disorders.

The Health CenterFor both minor illnesses and emergency care, registered

nurses are on duty 24 hours a day in the Health Center,

our modern, 21-bed infirmary. A physician is always on

call in case of emergencies, and a professional counselor

is available should you experience difficulties that affect

your performance or development. The counselor works

directly with students and also offers campus-wide

programs in the form of speakers, seminars, and work-

shops on adolescent health topics.

Other Academic andEmotional Support Services• Peer tutoring

• The Writing Center

• Health & Wellness Workshops

• Skills Center (an academic counseling center)

• Conference time with teachers

• Two academic counselors

• Study skills (9th grade Co-Curriculum course)

• Writing/Research (9th grade Co-Curriculum course)

Every Madeira student has access to a range of guidance and support offerings beginning with an advisor who

serves as your academic counselor, advocate, and mentor. You will have a weekly meeting with your advisor group,

and you will sit with your advisor at the Monday and Thursday All School Meetings. Many girls also drop by to visit

with their advisors more frequently, just to check in. Your advisor will be in the loop on your academic progress and

will update your parents periodically on your academic, social, and extracurricular activities.


Madeira offers you a number of options to play on a

team and compete on an interscholastic basis. More than

65 percent of our girls are part of one or more Madeira JV

or varsity teams, who compete with other independent

and public schools in field hockey, soccer, tennis, volley-

ball, basketball, squash, lacrosse, softball, cross-country,

swimming, diving, riding, track and field, and dance. If

you do not compete interscholastically, you can take

a physical education class in a subject like Pilates, yoga,

or modern dance.

In the fall we offer cross-country, field hockey (varsity

and JV), volleyball (varsity and JV), soccer (varsity and

JV), and tennis (varsity and JV).

In the winter we offer basketball (varsity and JV), swim

and dive, winter soccer, and squash (varsity and JV).

In the spring we offer lacrosse (varsity and JV), softball

(varsity and JV), tennis (varsity and JV), and track and

field. We also offer riding and dance all three seasons.

Riding at Madeira Madeira is nationally known for its riding program.

A variety of equestrian activities are offered to riders

of all experience levels. Hunt seat equitation, basic

dressage, principles of cross-country riding, and show-

manship are integral elements of the program. Riding

classes are open to all Madeira students, and classes

emphasize both position and correct use of aids on

the flat and over fences. Students enrolled in the program

are scheduled to ride three times a week. Additional

riding opportunities occur on weekends and during

free periods when horses are available. Riders may

enroll for the year or for an individual trimester. Riders

receive a PE activity credit per trimester. To board a

horse or participate on the riding team, girls must be

enrolled in the riding program.

Riders may also participate in an interscholastic show

series that offers classes for every level. Madeira hosts

several schooling shows, clinics, and other special

events during the school year. Our students also com-

pete in A-level shows, local shows, combined training

events, and dressage shows.

May I board my horse?

Arrangements may be made for girls to board their

own horses, whether for show or pleasure, and to

continue to pursue their equestrian preferences. You

do not, however, need to own a horse to participate

in the riding program. The 40-stall barn houses more

than 35 school horses with the remaining stalls available

for boarding. To board a horse, you must be enrolled

in the riding program.

Athletic Options


Student Governmentand Leadership OpportunitiesStudent government is integral to the Madeira community. Leadership

opportunities exist for girls in all grade levels. Both boarding and day

students elect representatives to a variety of positions each year. Lead-

ership positions include:

Student Heads of School

Class Presidents and Officers

Heads and Assistant Heads of House

PEERS

Head of STARs

Heads of the Education and Social Committees

Members of Judiciary

Team Captains

Ambassadors

Clubs and ActivitiesMadeira offers a wide range of extracurricular activities. There

are clubs and organizations for every interest, and students never

hesitate to start a new group when common interests exist. The

following sample represents the range of Madeira’s student groups.

Animal Rights Club

Arts Club

Amnesty International

French Club

Food Critics Club

Junior Statesmen of America

Latin Club

Black Student Union

Community Service Club

FOCUS

Asian Student Alliance

Math Team

TRANS (Teenagers Rising Above Stereotypes)

MESA (Madeira EnvironmentalStudents Association)

PEERS (People Engaging in Empathy, Respect, and Support)

Riding Club

Gay/Straight Alliance

Thespians

Dance

Model United Nations

GLAM (Girls Leading and Motivating)

Student Diversity Club

Muslim Student Association

Spectator (student newspaper)

TraditionsRed/White Teams: Each girl is assigned to a

team at the beginning of her life here at Madeira.

Throughout the year there are special dress days

and other competitions to compete for red and

white points.

The Oval: considered a sacred space at the heart

of the Madeira campus. Girls are allowed to sit on,

attend classes, or meet in the middle of the Oval.

They are not allowed to walk across the Oval.

Senior Bell: located in Main. Only seniors are allowed

to pull the rope and ring the bell.

100 Days: a celebration honoring seniors when they

have only 100 days left in their Madeira career. They

are honored at a special school assembly and

process into the Chapel/Auditorium wearing white.

Founder’s Day: a surprise celebration, announced

on a spring morning, when classes are cancelled

and a day of fun, games, and festival food follows.

Affirmation: a ceremony the evening before

graduation when seniors perform a special skill

or talent for the community.

13 Red Roses/White Dresses: On graduation, seniors

process with 13 red roses to commemorate the 13

girls in the first class in 1906.

Halloween Parade: a hilarious display of girls and

teachers in Halloween costumes, led by our Dean

of Students and master of ceremonies.

Thanksgiving Assembly: a celebration where girls

are invited to share before the entire community

that for which they are thankful.

Ice Cream/Strawberries: something we eat

whenever we can to honor Miss Madeira’s

favorite food.

Junior/Senior: a celebration held in the spring,

planned by the Junior class, to honor the senior class.

Be sure to check the Madeirawebsite to see any of thesecelebrations in action.

Sample List of Clubs


A Home Away from HomeThe six dormitories at Madeira accommodate about 25

students each. Most boarders have roommates and

many continue to live with that roommate each year.

Each school year every dorm elects several leaders,

including Head of House and Assistant Head of House,

who organize dorm duties and activities. These students,

plus another Student Government member, form a

House Council that works closely with the House Adults

to establish dorm rules, keep the dorm safe and comfort-

able, and act as friends and mentors to others. Each

dorm also has trained student counselors to work with

students who need support.

There are many adults who also play a leadership role

in the dormitory. Every evening, and all weekend, one

adult is “on-duty” to make sure that girls are checked in

and out, but also to be around to help with anything that

may arise. The House Adult lives in an apartment in the

dormitory. Several other adults serve as “external house

adults” who sleep in the dormitory on the nights they are

on duty, and help with “lights out” and other matters.

Every dorm also has its own technology center, called a

CyberPod, that is linked to the campus network. Many

students have laptop computers that can access the

Internet through wireless transmitters. These transmitters

are turned off during specific evening hours.

Girls also spend time in the student lounge, a space where

they can watch TV or movies, eat pizza or popcorn, play

games, or just hang out. Dorms also have a telephone

on every floor which girls may use to call home. Many

girls have cell phones, which they may use in specially

designated locations throughout the campus and in

the dorms.

Free Time and WeekendsThe best thing about weekends at Madeira is that you

design them to suit your interests. There are a variety of

activities to choose from both on and off campus. Girls

are heading off campus to any number of activities:

• the new Washington Nationals baseball team atRFK Stadium

• Baltimore Harbor Cruise

• U.S. Naval Academy Mixer

• shows at the Kennedy Center

• tours of the Smithsonian Institution museums

• trips to the area malls, other shopping areas, or the movies

• mixers and other activities at local boys’ schools

• ice-skating on the Washington Mall

• concerts

On Campus• movies on the Oval

• concerts

• karaoke night

• Sophomore Shakespeare Festival

• Fall and Winter play

• Soirees and performing arts concerts

• dorm-sponsored activities

• annual “finals break” campus-wide scavenger hunt

• CityDance recitals

• Beeches block party (at faculty houses at The Beeches)

Dorm Life


Madeira’s curriculum is rigorous, broad, and inclusive.

It follows a classic canon and offers multicultural expo-

sure. Our graduation requirements coincide with the

entrance expectations of the most selective colleges

and universities in the United States: a minimum of four

years of English, three years of mathematics, the third

level of a foreign language, two years of history, two

years of science, and one year in the arts. Ninety-five

percent of recent graduates finished four years of math

and three years of science, and almost all students

exceed the requirements in at least two other disciplines.

In choosing courses, you are carefully guided by your

faculty advisor, the department heads, and the Aca-

demic Dean.

Girls in ninth and tenth grade can expect fifteen hours

of homework a week, and girls in higher grades, partic-

ularly when taking AP courses, can expect more. This

academic expectation, coupled with the demands of

the Co-Curriculum Program, are best suited for girls

who excel academically.

Eight Categories of Study,Over 100 Courses to Choose FromAll courses are listed in the academic section of the

website, as is the CV of every faculty member.

English

English is central to the Madeira curriculum and to

many careers. Personal and professional success in life

often depends on the ability to communicate well,

orally and on paper. Madeira girls spend their time here

learning to read sensitively and analytically, to express

their ideas in writing logically and lucidly, and perhaps

most importantly to share those ideas with others in

informal classes. All English courses help girls develop

analytical writing skills through frequent essays, vocab-

ulary exercises, and grammar drills. The first two years

in particular emphasize acquisition of correct grammar

and syntax. Students also develop research skills,

present oral reports, dramatize scenes from plays, and

experiment with their own poetry and fiction.

Madeira requires the successful completion of four years

of English, including both semesters of the senior year.

COURSES

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE/COMPOSITION

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT TRANSITIONS

ENGLISH FUNDAMENTALS

ENGLISH I

ENGLISH II

ENGLISH III

ENGLISH IV (examples of electives: The American Mosaic; Philos-

ophy and Literature; In Another Country - Modern Literature from

Outside North America and Europe; Shakespeare in Love; Human

Quest—From Creation to Redemption; Creative Writing; Songs

of Ourselves)

AP ENGLISH IV


The Academic Program

World LanguageThe study of World Language is an essential part of a

Madeira education. The World Language Department

offers a variety of courses in each of three languages:

French, Latin, and Spanish. Students are encouraged

to consider studying two of the three languages offered

at Madeira. Language students participate in national

competitions each year, and the department frequently

sponsors trips to France, Italy, and Spain.

Madeira requires the successful completion of three

years of language taken at Madeira.

COURSES

FRENCH I

FRENCH II

FRENCH III

FRENCH III/LITERATURE

FRENCH IV

AP FRENCH LITERATURE

AP FRENCH LANGUAGE

LATIN I

LATIN II

LATIN III

LATIN IV

AP LATIN

SPANISH I

SPANISH II

SPANISH III

SPANISH III/LITERATURE

SPANISH IV

AP SPANISH LANGUAGE

AP SPANISH LITERATURE

HistoryUnderstanding History is essential to preparing ourselves

for what lies ahead. Madeira’s History Department offers

courses in both Western and non-Western history, in

early and modern periods, in history and related social

studies. Goals of each course emphasize efficient reading

of texts and primary and interpretive sources, effective

oral presentation, and confident use of maps, tables,

graphs, and other nonverbal data. Internet resources are

used in each course. The development of strong writing

skills is a priority in the department.

Madeira requires the successful completion of two

years of History taken at Madeira.

COURSES

MODERN WORLD HISTORY

U.S. HISTORY

AP U.S. HISTORY

COMPARATIVE RELIGION

ASIAN CIVILIZATION: TRADITION AND CHANGE

CULTURES IN MOTION: THE MIDDLE EAST

CULTURES IN MOTION: AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA

HUMAN RIGHTS

CIVIL RIGHTS

CHINESE CIVILIZATION AND LANGUAGE

ANCIENT HISTORY

HISTORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

FROM KITCHENS TO CONGRESS: WOMEN’S HISTORY

AP EUROPEAN HISTORY

AP U.S. GOVERNMENT

AP COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT


MathematicsMathematics is the language of our scientific, techno-

logical world and an important tool in our study of the

traditionally nonmathematical humanities. The Math

Department offers a variety of courses, advises students

on appropriate selection, and encourages students to

take mathematics courses during each of their four

years of high school. Since students enter Madeira with

different backgrounds, strengths, and interests, we offer

courses so that each girl can move through the curriculum

at a pace that best suits her.

Madeira requires the successful completion of three

years of Math taken at Madeira.

COURSES

ALGEBRA I

GEOMETRY

ALGEBRA II

ADVANCED GEOMETRY

ALGEBRA II/TRIGONOMETRY

FUNCTIONS AND TRIGONOMETRY

PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS

PRECALCULUS

DISCRETE MATH

AP CALCULUS AB

AP CALCULUS BC

ScienceThe study of Science is a vital step in the development

of intellectual curiosity and analytical thinking. It is the

philosophy of Madeira’s Science Department that students

be exposed to each of the three sciences: biology,

chemistry, and physics. Biology is a skill-oriented program

designed to teach students to hypothesize, draw

conclusions, and express ideas. In Chemistry, students

develop sophisticated problem-solving skills, and in

Physics students further hone those skills and their

underlying analytical capabilities. The laboratory

aspect of science is emphasized in all courses.

Madeira requires the successful completion of two

years of Science taken at Madeira.

COURSES

BIOLOGY

CONCEPTUAL CHEMISTRY

CHEMISTRY

PHYSICS WITH GEOMETRY

PHYSICS WITH TRIGONOMETRY

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

AP BIOLOGY

AP CHEMISTRY

ADVANCED PHYSICS

AP PHYSICS

BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOETHICS

FORENSIC SCIENCE

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER PROGRAMMING


Visual ArtsThe goals of the Visual Arts Department are for students

to develop a visual vocabulary, visual problem-solving

skills, technical understanding and practice, and awareness

of the world of art making, artists, and contemporary

visual art careers. In all studio art courses, students are

exposed to a wide variety of styles and media through

films, slides, guest artists, and field trips to Washington-

area galleries and museums.

Madeira students must meet a one-year graduation

requirement in the Performing Arts or Visual Arts

Department.

COURSES

FUNDAMENTALS OF DESIGN

CERAMICS STUDIO

SCULPTURE STUDIO

DRAWING STUDIO

PRINTING

PORTFOLIO STUDIO

AP STUDIO ART

ART HISTORY SURVEY/AP Optional

YEARBOOK AND PUBLICATIONS

PHOTOGRAPHY

ADVANCED PHOTOGRAPHY

PAINTING STUDIO

Performing ArtsThe Performing Arts at Madeira provide alternative ways

for students to view their ever-changing world. The

Performing Arts Department comprises vocal and

instrumental music, dance, and theater arts. Students

are taught effective communication skills and the value

of persistence from process to product. The Theater

program offers comprehensive courses in acting, directing,

playwriting, and technical theater. The Music program

provides a variety of performance and nonperformance

opportunities in both instrumental and vocal music.

The Dance program is rooted in traditional and nontradi-

tional dance forms from around the world. All dance

courses are taught by members of CityDance, a

professional Washington, DC dance company.

Madeira students must meet a one-year graduation

requirement in the Performing Arts or Visual Arts

Department.

COURSES

ACTING I

DIRECTING

TECHNICAL THEATER

DANCING AROUND THE WORLD

DANCE FITNESS

DANCE COMPANY I AND II

MADRIGALS

CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

PRIVATE MUSIC INSTRUCTION

ACTING II

CHOREOGRAPHY COMPOSITION FOR THE NON-DANCER

KINESIOLOGY AND ITS RELATION TO MOVEMENT

MADEIRA SINGERS


Earning Advanced Placement CreditAdvanced Placement (AP) courses in all subject areas

are an option for students who have met the appropriate

prerequisites, although girls must apply to enroll in an

AP course. AP courses are usually taken in the junior

and senior year. These courses prepare you to take the

College Board AP Examinations given nationally every

spring. Some colleges award credit or advanced

standing to students achieving scores of three or above.

Madeira students have a strong record of achievement

on these exams. Our students take an average of 200

exams a year, 70 percent of which earn a score of four

or higher. More than 50 percent of Madeira girls taking

APs receive scores of four and five. Because of the

extensive preparation girls receive in Madeira classes,

many girls choose to take AP exams for courses not

provided here (for example, AP English Language or AP

Environmental Science). Madeira offers AP study in the

following:

ENGLISH LITERATURE

U.S. HISTORY

U.S. GOVERNMENT

COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT

EUROPEAN HISTORY

LATIN

FRENCH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

SPANISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

CALCULUS AB AND BC

BIOLOGY

CHEMISTRY

PHYSICS

ART HISTORY

STUDIO ART

Physical Education

Physical Education is essential to a healthy lifestyle

and to the development of life skills such as confidence,

persistence, and discipline. The Physical Education

program at Madeira allows students to choose among

junior varsity and varsity-level interscholastic competition

and noncompetitive individual pursuits. Madeira competes

locally within the Independent School League. Girls who

elect individual pursuits take physical education classes

three times per week or participate in aquatics, dance,

riding, Pilates, or yoga.

All students must earn 12 trimesters of activity credits

for graduation. Six of these credits must be in the

PE/sports category.

COURSES

PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS

Interscholastic Sports:

Cross-country, Field Hockey, Riding, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis,

Basketball, Squash, Swimming and Diving, Lacrosse, Softball,

and Track and Field


Beyond the Classroom—Freshman YearThe ninth grade program focuses on study skills, and

leadership and life-management skills (financial literacy,

public speaking). In the autumn, every Wednesday you

will take classes in study skills, a writing workshop, and

ethics. Afternoons will be spent at Outdoor Adventure,

Madeira’s on-campus outdoor learning center. You will

explore leadership skills, develop environmental aware-

ness, and learn group cooperation through rock climbing,

rappelling, ropes and initiatives, and canoeing and

kayaking. All freshmen will try horseback riding, too.

In the winter, you will take a couple of classes such

as Writing/Research and Health and Wellness, and

participate in field trips to area museums such as the

National Museum of American Indians; National Gallery

of Art East Wing; Mount Vernon (a tradition for every

Madeira ninth grader since the days of Miss Madeira);

and the Kennedy Center. After Spring Break, you will

participate in a new rotation of morning classes in

public speaking, financial literacy, and exploration of

the arts. Your afternoons are again devoted to Outdoor

Adventure, Madeira’s leadership development program.

Service to Your Community—Sophomore YearThe sophomore Co-Curriculum Program gives you

the opportunity to give back, by volunteering every

Wednesday in off-campus community service organiza-

tions including schools, soup kitchens, hospitals, and

nursing homes. In the spring of your freshman year

you will attend a Volunteer Internship Information Fair

to review the options. Throughout your volunteer

commitment, you are supervised by a professional staff

member experienced in working with student volunteers.

Sophomore Volunteer ExamplesColumbia Hospital for Women

DC Central Food Kitchen

Fillmore Arts Center

Garden Family and Child Center

Children’s Hospital

Martha’s Table

Sibley Memorial Hospital

Tyler Elementary School

Hebrew Home (nursing home)

Co-Curriculum—Why and How It WorksMadeira’s Co-Curriculum Program is a nationally recognized experiential learning program that lets you integrate real-

world learning and experiences into your academic journey via internships and community service. The program takes

advantage of the diverse business, government, and institutional environment that the Washington, DC area offers.


Capitol Hill Internships—Junior YearJuniors spend Wednesdays on Capitol Hill as interns in

the offices of Senators and Representatives. Students

are well-integrated into the congressional workplace. They

respond to constituent requests and correspondence,

research legislative inquiries, answer phones, and welcome

visitors. Many attend committee hearings, watch debates

on the House or Senate floor, give tours of the Capitol,

and attend Congressional Research Service training

sessions. Depending on the needs of their sponsoring

office, Madeira students might develop their own year-

long project.

The Junior Co-Curriculum Program complements the

required course in U.S. History and the elective AP

Government and Politics course. In addition, all juniors

take a course titled Public Affairs, which is designed to

augment their work in congressional offices by stressing

current events and the structure of American politics.

This course often meets during lunch on Wednesdays

while girls are on Capitol Hill.

Exploring Your Interests—Senior YearThe Senior Co-Curriculum Program enables you to

pursue an internship that reflects your personal interests

and aptitudes. Many seniors use the Co-Curriculum as

an opportunity to experiment with a possible career,

while others explore a potential college major.

During the course registration process, seniors meet

with the Director of the Co-Curriculum Program to

discuss their internship options, using a catalog of possible

internship placements. Madeira has established a wide

range of partner organizations to consider. With advice

and encouragement from the Director of the Co-Curriculum

Program, students are expected to write their own cover

letters and resumes, and to arrange their own interviews

with selected organizations. In addition to counseling

each student in her work experience and requiring regular

reports, the Director conducts site visits of students’

placements and receives an evaluation from each student’s

supervisor twice a year.

Internships are not limited to existing organizations.

In recent years Madeira students have effectively cre-

ated their own internships by creating new initiatives,

ranging from a food and clothing distribution program

to a radio program.

A Sampling of Recent Placements Amnesty International

Arena Stage

Fox News

George Washington University

Habitat for Humanity

National Geographic Society

National Institute of Health (NIH)

National Organization of Women (NOW)

The Hirshhorn Museum

The National Zoo


Madeira is a life-defining journey that will leave you with enduring friendships and a thorough preparation for

college and career. In addition to preparing you academically, Madeira also provides you and your parents

with the support and guidance you need to make the best college choices.

College counseling at Madeira is a step-by-step approach that in some ways begins the day you arrive. The

College Counseling Office and the Academic Office will help you select classes which will meet your college

objectives. In February you and your parents will be invited to a day-long Parents’ Weekend II program focused

on the college admissions process. As a sophomore, your job continues to be working hard in your classes and

taking the most challenging courses that are right for you. You will also meet with the college counselors several

times. In January of your junior year, the College Counseling Office offers workshops on the college admissions

process. You and your parents then meet individually with a college counselor to discuss your senior curriculum,

educational goals, and college plans. From researching schools in the college counseling resource room to requesting

applications and teacher recommendations, the College Counseling Office is there to help you along the way.

Madeira’s academic program prepares you well for the standardized tests expected of college applicants. Sopho-

mores and juniors take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), gaining experience in test-taking and

learning what areas of vocabulary, reading comprehension, written usage, and mathematics need strengthening.

College VisitsEvery fall, representatives from colleges and universities nationwide visit Madeira to discuss their schools and

meet interested students. We encourage you to visit colleges and schedule interviews the summer between

your junior and senior years and during the fall of your senior year.

Life after Madeira



to say“”

American University

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Babson College

Barnard College

Bates College

Boston College

Boston University

Brown University

Bryn Mawr College

Carleton University (Canada)

Carnegie Mellon University

Claremont McKenna College

Clemson University

Colgate University

College of the Holy Cross

College of William and Mary

College of Wooster

Columbia University

Connecticut College

Cornell University

Dartmouth College

Davidson College

Dickinson College

Duke University

East Carolina University

Emory University

Fordham University

Franklin College (Switzerland)

Franklin & Marshall College

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Harvard University

Ithaca College

James Madison University

Johns Hopkins University

Kenyon College

Lafayette College

Lehigh University

Louisiana State University

Loyola Marymount University

Mary Washington College

Michigan State University

Middlebury College

New York University

Northwestern University

Oberlin College

Occidental College

Oxford College of Emory University

Pennsylvania State University

Pitzer College

Princeton University

Reed College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhodes College

St. John’s College

St. Lawrence University

Sarah Lawrence College

Skidmore College

Smith College

Soka University

Southern Methodist University

Spelman College

Stanford University

Swarthmore College

Syracuse University

Trinity College (CT)

Tufts University

U.S. Air Force Academy

University of Arizona

University of Chicago

University of Colorado/Boulder

University of Maryland/College Park

University of Miami

University of Michigan/Ann Arbor

University of Montana

University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina/Wilmington

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania

University of St. Andrews

University of Tampa

University of the South

University of Virginia

University of Washington

Vanderbilt University

Villanova University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wellesley College

Wheaton College (IL)

Williams College

Yale University

Colleges That Have Accepted Recent GraduatesThis list of schools accepting recent Madeira graduates suggests the broad range of options we encourage students

to consider. Fifty-five percent of the graduating class will attend their first choice college. The College Counseling

Office hosts more than 100 visits by college representatives each fall.

Visit www.madeira.org/academic/collegecounseling.asp for more information aboutMadeira’s college counseling program.


The ProcessCandidates for admission need to complete

their admissions files by January 31st in order

to be considered for the early March notification

date. Those who apply after that date will be

considered under a rolling admission policy;

when an applicant’s file is complete, it will go

before the Admissions Committee.

A candidate for admission may apply to be

either a boarding or day student. This status is

expected to remain the same during her years

at Madeira. Changes are granted only under

unusual circumstances. Candidates are encour-

aged to discuss these options with the Admis-

sion Office prior to completing an application.

Candidates for admission should complete the

application and return it to the School with

the nonrefundable application fee.

Applying for AdmissionThe process of applying to Madeira is straightforward but detailed. What follows will give you a sense of it, but we

encourage you to visit www.madeira.org for the most current information regarding deadlines, tuition, course offer-

ings, and other material reviewed in this booklet. There is also no substitute for one-on-one conversation, so please

use the space here to jot down your questions and give the Admission Office a call at 703.556.8273.

The following items must also be completed to be

considered for admission:

1. Confidential School Recommendation, to be returned to the

Admission Office by the principal, placement director, or guidance

counselor of the candidate’s present school. The candidate’s transcript

(record of grades and test scores for at least the previous academic

year) and current grades should be attached to this form.

2. Two Teacher Recommendations, to be completed and returned

to the Admission Office by the candidate’s current math teacher

and current English teacher.

3. Student Statement—an essay to be completed by the candidate.

The essay may be typed or handwritten.

4. Parent Statement—a questionnaire to be completed by the appli-

cant’s parents or legal guardian.

5. Admissions Testing—Secondary School Admissions Test: Applicants

are required to take the upper level SSAT during the year of application.

An SSAT Student Registration Brochure containing information about

deadlines and registration procedures is available from the Admission

Office. We strongly advise taking the SSAT in November, December, or

January. Candidates should indicate on their registration form that

their SSAT scores should be reported to Madeira; our School Code

is 4768.

6. Interviews—An interview is required for every applicant. We strongly

recommend that every candidate for admission visit the school while

classes are in session. However, an interview by telephone can be

arranged for those who cannot visit the School because of distance or

other factors. Interviews may be scheduled during the week between

9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; visits are not scheduled for Wednesdays,

because most students are off campus at their Co-Curriculum place-

ments. Appointments should be made in advance, and visits usually

last about two hours. Candidates and their parents are given a tour

by a student guide and then talk with an admissions officer.

7. Application and application fee


When will I receive the forms I need to complete my file?

All the forms necessary to complete your admission

file are enclosed in this packet or can be found at

www.madeira.org.

How important is an interview and campus visit?

Very. We look forward to meeting with you and your

family and knowing what you’re looking for in a new

school. Remember also that you’re choosing a school

for the next two to four years. You owe it to yourself

to see the campus, talk to current students, and visit

classes.

Do you have a “cut-off” for testing scores?

No. We accept many students who have very strong

test scores. We also accept students with more modest

scores who have determination, good study habits, good

grades, and are self-motivated.

How will I know when the required materials have

been received and my application file is complete?

All applicants have the ability to check the status of

their file at www.madeira.org. To do this, go to the

Admissions section of the Madeira website, register

as an applicant, and determine a password, which will

then allow you to check back on the status of your

application.

Am I less likely to be admitted if I need financial aid?

Absolutely not. Admission at Madeira is “need-blind”

(i.e. the Admissions Committee is not aware of a

family’s financial status when making admissions

decisions). All financial aid decisions are confidential.

If English is not my primary language, may I still be

considered for admission?

Yes. Madeira has an advanced English as a Second

Language Program (ESL). You will be required to

submit SSAT scores as part of your admissions file.


Tuition and Financial AidOur CommitmentMore families every year are exploring better options

for their daughter’s secondary education. Some families

are reallocating some of their education savings to

apply to these critical high school years. The impor -

tance of better college preparation as well as the long-

term benefits in self-esteem and confidence that

success at school brings have become high priorities.

With this in mind, we are committed to making a

Madeira education financially possible for each quali-

fied applicant.

Money Well SpentParents of Madeira students know that whatever they

are paying for their daughter’s education is money well

spent. One father said, “I couldn’t have spent my money

in a better way. The personal qualities of the teachers

and the combination of the academics, Co-Curriculum,

and extracurriculars have more than lived up to our

expectations. Madeira has made the difference!”

Put Yourself in the ContinuumA good way to think about affording a Madeira educa-

tion is to find out where you as a family fit on the

financial continuum. Do you need financial options?

Would a loan be helpful? Will you need help from

Madeira in the form of a grant? What will it take for

you to be able to afford a Madeira education for your

daughter? We are committed to making this education

available to all our families regardless of where they are

on the continuum.

Financial Aid GrantsAny family may apply for a financial grant. You should not

hesitate to consider Madeira because you are concerned

about cost or think you may not qualify for assistance. A

grant is a gift of money applied to your daughter’s tuition.

It has no repayment requirements. Annually, over 20

percent of Madeira students receive grants. The average

grant for boarding students is $21,141, and for day

students it is $8,650. The Board of Trustees makes every

effort to increase the financial aid budget yearly, allowing

the needs of even more families to be met.

Qualifying for Financial AidParents should not automatically assume that because

of their income they will not qualify for a need-based

grant. The incomes of families receiving aid go up to

$150,000. The following criteria are considered when

determining need:

• Salary

• Investments and investment income

• Parent’s retirement needs

• Child support

• Social Security benefits

• Home equity

• Family size

• Number of children in fee-charging institutions

• Cost of living

All financial information shared with Madeira remains

confidential and is used for the sole purpose of this

evaluation process. Although Madeira’s Financial Assis-

tance budget is large (in excess of $1.4 million), there

are usually insufficient funds to meet the needs of all

qualified applicants. Therefore it is important to meet

the filing deadline of February 1.


How are grants determined?

All financial aid grants are based solely on demonstrated

need. Simply stated, need is the difference between

what the school determines your contribution as parents

should be (based on analysis of your financial circum-

stances) and tuition.

How are parental contribution and need

determined?

School and Student Services (SSS), upon receiving

your Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS), will analyze your

information and send Madeira your Report of Family

Contribution (RFC). Decisions concerning admissions

and financial assistance are made separately. Applying

for financial aid has absolutely no impact on a candi-

date’s application for admission. After admission,

Madeira’s Financial Aid Committee reviews all your

material. We take into account the number and ages

of your children, your ages (for purposes of estimating

retirement needs), other educational expenses, addi-

tional dependents, all sources of income, your priority

of spending, and debts and expenses such as number

and ages of cars, club memberships, travel, and other

obligations. In the case of divorced or separated

parents, Madeira considers the assets of both natural

parents, if living. Therefore, it is necessary for each

biological parent to complete a PFS. A thorough

analysis of all of your documents by the Financial

Aid Committee will determine what your contribution

should be. We then take the amount of tuition, consider

other additional expenses, and subtract your contribution.

The remainder is your demonstrated need.

Tuition – Family Contribution =Demonstrated Need

What should I do to apply for a grant?

If you wish to be considered for a grant, these are the

four steps you should take:

1. Check the appropriate box on your daughter’s

application form. The Admission Office will then

send you the Financial Aid forms you need

beginning in November.

2. Submit a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) to

School and Student Services (SSS) in Princeton,

New Jersey, by FEBRUARY 1.

3. Submit a Madeira School Financial Aid Grant

Request Form to Madeira by FEBRUARY 15.

4. Submit your current and previous year’s Internal

Revenue Service Form 1040, all schedules, and W-2

form(s) to Madeira by FEBRUARY 15.

Financial aid renewal procedure

Financial aid award renewals are based on continued

demonstrated need, but consideration is also given to

the student’s good citizenship, academic progress, and

extracurricular contributions.


% of students receivinggrants in each income range

17%

11%

35%

4%

6%

9%

18%

Range ofparent contribution

$0–7,800

$500–11,000

$500–15,000

$10,500–14,500

$13,500–20,000

$16,000–24,000

$18,500–27,000

Family income ofstudents receiving grants

$0–20,000

$21,000–40,000

$41,000–60,000

$61,000–80,000

$81,000–100,000

$101,000–120,000

Over $121,000

An Explanation about Price and CostThe CostCost refers to what the school pays to provide education.

Teachers’ salaries, education equipment, and building

maintenance are examples of goods and services

included in cost. Revenue from tuition covers only

approximately 65 percent of the total cost of educating

a Madeira student. The remainder is paid through

endowment income and gifts to the school.

The Comprehensive FeeMadeira has one price that includes tuition, room, and

board for residents or tuition and meals for day girls;

transportation to Co-Curriculum jobs and interscholastic

athletic events; and most other fees. This price is the

Comprehensive Fee. For the current years’ fees, please

check the Madeira website. Textbooks are purchased sepa-

rately and cost approximately $750 per year. There are

instructional fees for optional classes.

Optional Instruction Fees(These fees change every year. Ask the Admission

Office for an updated fee schedule.)

Driver’s Education $300 range

Photography $30-$50 per semester

Riding Instruction

1st Trimester $1,300

2nd Trimester $900

3rd Trimester $700

Piano Instruction $350-$675

Voice Instruction $350-$675

Off-Campus Squash TBD

ESL Instruction $2,750 per year

Madeira’s Standard Payment ScheduleThe standard payment schedule requires that families

pay 10 percent of the tuition as a registration fee, 55

percent by June 30, and the remaining 35 percent by

December 1 with no interest charge.

The Ten-Month Payment PlanFamilies who participate in FACTS Tuition Management

can pay tuition for one year in ten equal monthly pay-

ments. There is a $38 application fee for the plan but

no interest charge on the payments. These payments

do not include the initial 10 percent deposit due with

the enrollment contract.

Madeira’s Loan PlanYou may borrow between $1,000 and $10,000 a year

for each year your daughter is enrolled at Madeira. Pay-

ments are completed six years after she leaves Madeira.

Interest-only payments are made while your daughter

is in college. The rate of interest is fixed at 7 percent.

Loan funds are limited, so apply early.

Tuition InsuranceBecause Madeira must commit itself to operating costs

based on anticipated enrollment, refunds cannot be

granted for delayed entrance, absence, withdrawal, or

dismissal. Madeira urges parents to consider the Tuition

Refund Plan offered by A.W.G. Dewar Company of

Boston. Details of this plan, as well as information about

accident and sickness insurance, are mailed to parents

or are available upon request from the Business Office.


Payment of ChargesMonthly statements of student charges are sent to

parents for such items as books, testing supplies, and

charges for some off-campus events. Optional fees,

such as photography course fees, are billed at the

beginning of the year. Other optional fees, such as

riding instruction and music lessons, are billed at the

beginning of each semester or as charges accrue.

These fees are not refundable.

Parents should discuss with their daughter a reasonable

limit for discretionary charges. Statements are payable

when presented, and a late-payment charge of 1.5 percent

per month is applied to accounts overdue 30 days or more.

Another Thought to ConsiderDid you know that a relative can pay tuition fees (room

and board is not included) for your daughter without

being subject to normal gift taxes? IRS regulations allow

an individual to pay fees directly to the school on

behalf of another person, and not have that “gift” subject

to normal gift taxes. This is an excellent financial planning

option, particularly for grandparents who are looking

to transfer assets from their taxable estate. The IRS

requires that only tuition fees may be paid, that pay-

ment must be made directly to the school to be eligible,

and that the gift is not considered a charitable contri-

bution. Please contact the Director of Admissions if

you are interested in more information.

A Final WordAlthough we believe strongly that you as parents are

primarily responsible for paying for your daughter’s

education at Madeira, we will work very hard to provide

you with the ways and the means to do it.

Questions? Please feel free to contact the Admission Office at

703.556.8273. We look forward to assisting you in

any way we can.



Notes


to say“”


to say

”The Madeira School • 8328 Georgetown Pike • McLean, Virginia 22102 • 703-556-8273 • www.madeira.org

“

Documents

Inside Madeira