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An Inspired History

At the turn of the twentieth century, three immigrant sisters, Marthe, Louise, and Jeanne Maret, left their home in Geneva, Switzerland with a dream of creating a school that combined the best practices Europe had to offer with the fundamental principles of American democracy. In 1911, that dream took root in the nation’s capital, when the sisters opened their doors to their first class of culturally diverse students. Their legacy resonates today as we continue to provide an education that is authentic to every child and prepares them well for life beyond Maret.

The following are excerpts from MARET SCHOOL: THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS—a publication written by presidential scholar Michael Beschloss and designed by The Magazine Group to commemorate Maret's centennial in 2011. For copies, please contact the Development Office at 202.939.8809.

Maret 1911-1923

1923-1952

Maret 1952-1969

Maret 1969-1994

Lower School demolition

Closing Ceremony

Maret 2011 Centennial Celebration

This video showcases the tremendous community involvement at Maret School during our Centennial celebration year in 2011. The festivities concluded in October 2011, but the joyful spirit of connection and pride in our school will be felt for years to come.

Historic Woodley

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Woodley, the central building on Maret's campus, is a Federal-style house built in 1801, the year Thomas Jefferson assumed the Presidency. Woodley is registered with the Historic House Museum Consortium of Washington, DC.

Learn more about Woodley

Learn more about Woodley

In those days, the land was cleared between the Woodley site and the Potomac River beyond which meant that Woodley residents had a panoramic view of the incipient capital in the lowlands below.

For a century and a half Woodley would house a series of prominent Americans including at least two Presidents, two Secretaries of War, a Secretary of the Treasury, a Secretary of State, a Senator, a Judge, an admiral, and General George Patton, "Old Blood and Guts himself." In 1950 the house and 7.5 adjoining acres were purchased by Maret School.

Since 1994, the Woodley Society, comprising students, faculty, graduates, parents, and friends, carries on primary research at a number of archives and libraries in the Washington area and beyond. The Society has hosted a number of Woodley-related receptions, most notably the bicentennial celebration in 2003.

MARET LEADERSHIP: A TIMELINE

Mlle Marthe Maret
1911–1945

Mlle Louise Maret
1911–1945

Mlle Jeanne Maret
1911–1945

Alice Carson
Principal
1945-1950

Margaret Williams
Principal
1950–1969

William Lanxner
Headmaster
1969–1971

William Layton
Headmaster
1971–1972

John Francis
Headmaster
1972–1973

Peter A. Sturtevant
Headmaster
1974–1994

Marjo Talbott — Marjo Talbott
Head of School
1994–Present