At a Glance

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MARET SCHOOL, founded in 1911, is a private, college preparatory, co-ed day school in Washington, DC, with kindergarten through high school all on a single campus.

Maret actively seeks and embraces different cultures, interests, perspectives, and talents.

Committed to high achievement and nurtured risk-taking, Maret prepares students to become responsible, thoughtful, well-informed adults who are able to play an active role in improving the world.

Our vivid mix of cultures stems from our beginnings as a French school that enrolled students from many nations and backgrounds. Today, the wealth of cultures, personalities, and opinions among our families and faculty gives Maret vivacity that’s not only visible, but tangible as well. You can see the differences at Maret; you can hear and feel them too.

About Maret

  • Founded in 1911 as an international school by French sisters, Marthe, Louise and Jeanne Maret
  • Marjo Talbott, Head of School since 1994
  • K-12 college preparatory day school
  • Co-ed student body of approximately 635 students
  • 7.5-acre historic campus
  • 10 minute walk from the Woodley Park/National Zoo and Cleveland Park METRO stops
  • School colors: green and white
  • School mascot: the Fighting Frogs
  • School motto: Noscere Vivere Est: to Learn is to Live 

Core Values

  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Connectedness
  • The Individual
  • Creativity
  • Excellence
  • Joy

Student Profile

  • Approximately 635 co-ed students
  • 130 students, grades K - 4
  • 195 students, grades 5-8
  • 310 students, grades 9-12
  • 40% students of color
  • 57% reside in DC, 33% MD and 10% VA
  • 45 countries represented
  • 24% of families receive financial aid
  • Low 3% K - 12 attrition
  • Small class size, averaging 18 - 20 students

Faculty Profile

  • 108 teaching faculty
  • 7 faculty members are Maret alumni
  • 36 faculty members have taught at Maret for 10+ years
  • 76% have masters or doctorate degrees
  • 31% are persons of color
  • In addition to teaching, faculty serve as coaches, club mentors and/or grade deans
  • On-campus Summer Institute for professional development
  • Faculty serve as academic advisors for grades 5-12

Academic Highlights

  • Innovative and rigorous college-prep curriculum
  • School-wide emphasis on critical thinking and creative problem-solving
  • Service Learning integrated into K-12 classes
  • Spanish instruction begins in kindergarten
  • French and Latin instruction begins in sixth grade
  • Chinese instruction begins in ninth grade
  • Structured science classes based on research techniques are taught in kindergarten through high school
  • Every student takes visual and performing arts classes through each division
  • Experiential credit summer courses are offered in Sanibel, Honduras, France and India
  • Annual Middle School Science Fair, Soap Box Derby, American Experience, Multicultural Day, and Global Warming events
  • 37 Upper School electives
  • High School Independent study and AP options offered in every department

Clubs & Activities

  • 4 Lower School clubs
  • 10 Middle School clubs
  • 42 Upper School clubs
  • 10 Middle School interscholastic sports teams (embedded in school day)
  • 24 Upper School interscholastic sports teams (after school)
  • Annual theater productions in Middle and Upper Schools 

College Counseling

Five-Year Attendance Snapshot

  • 20 Washington University
  • 12 University of Pennsylvania
  • 12 Stanford University
  • 11 Brown University
  • 11 Tufts University
  • 11 Tulane University
  • 9 Skidmore College
  • 8 Emory University
  • 8 Harvard University
  • 8 University of Michigan
  • 8 Yale University

Public-Private Partners

Maret's partner organizations include:

  • DC Stoddert Soccer League
  • DC Vote
  • Duke Ellington
  • School for the Arts
  • Food and Friends
  • Friendship Field
  • HD Cooke Elementary School
  • Hope House
  • Horizons Greater Washington
  • Jelleff Recreation Center
  • Truesdell Education Campus

Accreditation and Associations

Maret is accredited by the Association of Independent Maryland Schools (AIMS)

Maret is a member in good standing of the following educational associations:

  • Association of Independent Maryland Schools  (AIMS)
  • Independent Education (IE) (formerly AISGW)
  • Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Secondary Schools (MSA)
  • National Association of Independent Schools  (NAIS)
  • Council for American Private Education  (CAPE)
  • Council of Women in Independent Schools (CWIS)
  • Council for Advancement for Secondary Education (CASE)
  • Alumni Program Council