The Madeira School, a private all-girls high school in McLean, Virginia, has announced a $60 million gift from an anonymous alumna.

The largest gift in the boarding school’s 118-year history is also the largest ever to an independent girls’ school. 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 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 Madeira head of school Christina Kyong. “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."

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Ridofranz)