Madeira School


The Madeira School is an elite, private, day and boarding college-preparatory school for girls in McLean, Virginia, United States. It was established in 1906 by Lucy Madeira Wing.

History

The school was founded in 1906 by Lucy Madeira Wing on 19th Street near Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. In 1931, it moved some 12 miles west to the Northern Virginia suburb of Greenway, Virginia, which was later renamed McLean.

Events

In 1973, the body of 14-year-old student Natalia Semler was found bound and beaten on the school grounds. John Gilreath, who had been convicted of a sexual assault at the school two years earlier, was convicted of her murder.
In 1980, then-headmistress Jean Harris was convicted of the murder of Herman Tarnower.

Demographics

The demographic breakdown of the 334 girls enrolled in 2021–2022 was:
  • American Indian/Alaska Native - 0
  • Asian - 75
  • Black - 40
  • Hispanic - 30
  • Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander - 1
  • White - 157
  • Two or More Races - 31

    Campus and facilities

The campus is on overlooking the Potomac River and consists of 34 separate buildings.
Original buildings on the 1931 campus include Main, the dining hall, Schoolhouse, East, West, North, and South Dorms, the Land, the Annex, and the two gatehouses at the entrance to the Oval. Buildings added later include the Chapel/Auditorium, the indoor riding ring and Gaines Hall, the science building, a renovated and expanded dining hall, Hurd Sports Center, and Huffington Library.

Public access

The Madeira school has had many disputes over the use of its land. In 1966, Fairfax County proposed to turn 208 of Madeira's into public parkland. In 1991, Madeira gave a trail easement along Georgetown Pike and $89,000 for construction so that hikers could walk the Potomac Heritage Route without entering the main area of the campus. However, this trail was never completed by the park officials. In 2008, the Fairfax County government attempted to obtain from Madeira an easement near the Potomac River to permit the completion of a loop of walking trails as a condition of approval for the school's proposed expansion plans. This one-mile -long trail section through Madeira's property would connect the county's Scott's Run Park to Great Falls National Park. The Madeira School declined this easement, citing concerns about safety and environmental impacts.

Notable alumnae