Read more details about The Madeira School on their 2024-25 profile page.
Reflections and Advice:
1.) What do you think makes your school unique relative to other boarding schools?
Of course, the two most obvious aspects of Madeira that set the school apart are the single-sex education, and the co-curriculum program. Learning with a group of all girls takes the competitiveness out of education, and people could focus on learning, and not what the guy next to you was doing. The co-curriculum program requires all students to engage in a sort of prolonged internship, including time on Capitol Hill. It's an invaluable experience you won't easily get elsewhere.
2.) What was the best thing that happened to you in boarding school?
I was involved in just about every play or musical put on while I was there. I also was involved in just about every singing group I could join. I took all APs my senior year as well. As a result, I got accepted to Harvard and took advanced standing, meaning I could graduate in three years instead of four.
3.) What might you have done differently during your boarding school experience?
It's a great school. Great friends will be had. And more friends will join sophomore year, so be ready to welcome them when it's their turn to be new.
4.) What did you like most about your school?
I liked the people; how small it was; and how friendly and close the whole experience was. Would definitely do it again.
5.) Do you have any final words of wisdom for visiting or incoming students to your school?
Try to stay in the dorms on the Oval at least once, because those are the oldest ones.
Academics:
1.) Describe the academics at your school - what did you like most about it?
I liked that the school offered lots of electives, even though the school itself has a pretty small student body. I learned programming, acting, and art history all as electives. The abundance of AP classes also helped me get accepted to and take advanced standing in college.
Athletics:
1.) Describe the athletics at your school - what did you like most about it?
I'm not particularly athletic, but because the school was small, I was still able to join the field hockey team, where I played for a couple semesters. I also took fencing, which was pretty unique, and enjoyed my swimming classes as well -- though walking around campus in the cold with my hair wet was probably not a good idea. The school is well-known for its equestrian program, but I didn't do much with that.
Art, Music, and Theatre:
1.) Describe the arts program at your school - what did you like most about it?
There were lots of singing groups to join, which I enjoyed. I also liked the variety of theatre options -- musicals, serious plays, etc. -- that took place throughout the year. Because of the size of the school, there really was opportunity for everyone.
Extracurricular Opportunities:
1.) Describe the extracurriculars offered at your school - what did you like most about it?
Freshman year, we had lots of outdoor adventure programs on campus, which was pretty fun and a good break from school. The co-curriculum program is the most outstanding part of the extracurriculars. I interned at an elementary school, on Capitol Hill, and my senior year and a video production company because I wanted to work in entertainment. Lots of opportunities that would have been hard to take advantage of elsewhere.
Dorm Life:
1.) Describe the dorm life in your school - what did you like most about it?
I liked to have my friends around all the time. I didn't have to plan ahead to have fun, it just happened. It was easy to just pop into a friend's room and talk whenever you liked.
Dining:
1.) Describe the dining arrangements at your school.
I liked that food was prepared for you and you didn't have to think about it. It was also interesting learning what other people would eat when they didn't like what was serving that day.
Social and Town Life:
1.) Describe the school's town and surrounding area.
The immediate area has rolling green hills, and is quite lovely. I liked to go for a walk every day for that reason. Washington, DC., our nation's capital, of course had a lot going on in terms of culture, both international and local. We would go into town to intern, to see the museums, to go have a coffee, or see a play.
2.) Describe the social life at your school - what did you like most about it?
I liked how easy it was to make and stay friends. As a boarding student, your friends are around you 24/7. It was easy to pop over and have a chat. At the same time, it was nice to be friends with day students, because then you could go out on the weekends and have fun.
Daily Schedule:
Weekday
10:00 AM
Classes
6:00 PM
Dinner
7:00 AM
Theatre rehearsal
Weekend
10:00 AM
Wake up
12:00 AM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Play games on my computer
Read more details about The Madeira School on their 2024-25 profile page.
Alumni Reviews Review School
Review
Description
Madeira has a Co-curriculum program which allows students to take 5 weeks and immerse themselves in an internship. Sophomore year is about community service, Junior year is about citizenship, and Senior year is about career. . .
Of course, the two most obvious aspects of Madeira that set the school apart are the single-sex education, and the co-curriculum program. Learning with a group of all girls takes the competitiveness out of education. . .
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