High academic expectations

How does Madeira build its strong academic program?

First, we admit students who value learning and are eager to learn in community. We put time and energy into intentionally building a supportive and rigorous (rather than competitive and rigorous) learning community, from the language we use to the activities we ask students to engage in.

Today’s ambitious academic program provides challenge, allowing our students to build critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Mod schedule promotes deep learning within a balanced day

At Madeira, we reimagined the school day to allow students to fully engage in learning. Our innovative Mod schedule focuses on three classes a day. With fewer places to go, fewer bells ringing, more time in individual learning spaces, and less running around, students have more time for deep, ro bust learning.

Personalized for challenge & passion

Each student’s schedule is personalized to integrate her passions and support the right combination of classes that are an exciting but manageable challenge. The Mods give students the chance to explore subjects and topics they are curious about, as well as choice and agency in their core classes. Madeira students are not only excited about their schoolwork, but also rise to its challenges.

“Our daughter has a better grasp of the subject with less stress,” adds a current parent interviewed as part of the Kalix interviews, “and she enjoys learning more.”

Built-in refresh

To support the learning process, our Mod schedule intentionally provides a refresh. For us, this refresh happens every five weeks as we begin a new Mod. “The Mod schedule is great because I get to experience different teachers and teaching styles, and the start of each new Mod feels like a clean slate. It’s also less stressful because I’m focusing on three classes at a time,” says Nidhi Gumpella ’23. Madeira is recognized by families and peer schools alike as delivering on the promise of a balanced, joyful experience of deep learning.

A secondary school placement counselor, who was interviewed by Kalix as part of the brand perception study, noted, “Madeira students are set up for success, pushed to do their best. And their Mod program allows Madeira girls to achieve this success under a less stressful schedule.”

Co-Curriculum internships build confidence & promote self-discovery

We offer a diverse array of opportunities to learn in different environments, and our signature Co-Curriculum internship program helps our students gain real-world experience. As they engage in their internships, students learn skills that only on-the-job training can teach, and the experience instills confidence as our students make their way in the world.

For students who crave hands-on experiences, Co-Curriculum is a program that plays to their strengths. According to Sage Wheeler ’83, “The Co-Curriculum program was one of the best things about my Madeira education. I am not an academic, but put me in the real world of work, and I thrive.”

THE MOD SCHEDULE IS GREAT BECAUSE I GET TO EXPERIENCE DIFFERENT TEACHERS AND TEACHING STYLES, AND THE START OF EACH NEW MOD FEELS LIKE A CLEAN SLATE.

Nidhi Gumpella ’23