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An anonymous alumna has donated $60 million to The Madeira School in McLean, a landmark gift that school leaders say will support generations of students.

Christina Kyong, Madeira’s head of school, said the contribution is the largest ever made to an independent girls’ school. The school received the gift in early January.

The donor chose to remain unnamed because she wanted attention focused on the gift and Madeira’s mission, rather than on her identity. According to Kyong, the alumna credited the school with providing an excellent education, meaningful experiences and lifelong connections.

Madeira plans to place the money in an endowment. A five-year restriction will prevent the school from spending the funds immediately, giving its leadership time to establish strategic priorities and determine how the donation can have the greatest long-term impact.

Kyong connected that deliberate approach to Madeira’s guiding principle, “Festina lente,” a Latin phrase meaning “make haste slowly.” She said the donor embodied that principle by giving the school time and space to decide how best to use the money.

Students, faculty and staff learned about the donation during a Jan. 14 community meeting. The announcement drew cheers and congratulations, and Kyong said the response moved many people to tears.

School leaders reminded students that the donor once occupied the same classrooms, halls, library and grounds they use today. Although no one at the meeting had been at Madeira during the alumna’s time there, Kyong said her enduring affection for the school inspired her to preserve that experience for future students.

Founded in 1906, Madeira was originally located on 19th Street near Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. It moved to McLean in 1931. The day and boarding college-preparatory school serves girls in grades nine through 12 on a 376-acre campus.