The Madeira SchoolReceives Landmark $60Million Philanthropic Gift

By KAREN JOOSTEMA

An unprecedented gift from an anonymous alumna
reflects the importance of educating young women
now and for generations to come.

The Madeira School, a leading girls’
college preparatory and boarding school in McLean, has received a transformative gift of $60 million from an anonymous alumna. This marks the largest single donation in the school’s 118-year history and is the largest ever to an independent girls’ school. The gift builds upon a foundation of generosity that has supported Madeira’s mission of “launching women who change the world,” positioning the school to
continue its commitment to providing deep, ambitious learning
for young women. At the request of the donor, the gift will be
invested for at least five years as part of Madeira’s endowment
and then integrated into the school’s strategic priorities to ensure
a thoughtful and impactful approach to supporting Madeira’s
innovative educational programs.

“This transformational contribution represents
a profound commitment to girls’ education and
Madeira’s mission to prepare young women
to become leaders and changemakers,” said
Christina Kyong, Head of School. “This gift
is a powerful recognition of the impact the
school has had on the donor’s life and the lives
of countless young women. We are deeply
moved by her immense confidence in Madeira’s
leadership and our vision to educate students for
generations to come.”

Anita Patel Tolani ’91, P ’24, Chair of Madeira’s
Board of Trustees, added, “Rooted in the
tradition of donor support that has shaped
Madeira’s journey and enabled our most
significant achievements, this extraordinary
contribution continues the School’s remarkable
trajectory. It supports future generations of
women and will inspire our entire community to
continue supporting girls’ education.”

The Madeira School is renowned for its
ambitious approach to education. With a focus on hands-on
learning, Madeira students graduate with unparalleled real-world
experience through the nationally recognized Co-Curriculum
internship program. This program provides three transformative
internships: a service-focused experience in 10th grade, an
opportunity to work on Capitol Hill in 11th grade, and a senior-year
internship tailored to each student’s unique interests. Over their
four years, Madeira students build distinguished resumes that rival
those of college graduates. Complementing this signature program
is Madeira’s innovative modular schedule, designed to create
individualized paths that empower students to thrive academically
and personally. Part of Madeira’s proud network of over 6,000
alums, the donor discovered her own unique path at Madeira,
and this extraordinary gift stands as a powerful recognition of the
impact Madeira had on her life and the lives of countless young
women before and after her.

At Madeira, every student’s journey is as distinctive as their
ambitions. This historic gift secures a future of excellence for
generations to come.