Culver Academies - Review #3

Culver's leadership development programs make it unique among boarding schools. Students are required to enroll in leadership development classes and participate in the leadership system. For boys this takes the form of the military system and for girls the prefect system. Though the system was tedious at times, it absolutely helped me become a better leader and follower. I understand more about myself and about other la through my participation in the leadership system at Culver. Additionally, Culver has a robust merit scholarship program from which I personally benefitted. The scholarship program not only provides full tuition and fees, it allows additional funding for international development experiences directed by the student. This program is truly an asset.

My experience at Culver fundamentally shaped who I am today as a person, thinker, and leader. My years at Culver exposed me to a diverse range of people and experiences that are one in a million. I'm more open and curious and I'm more confident in my abilities and who I am after having gone to Culver. I would not trade my boarding school experience for anything and I'm grateful I had the opportunity to attend Culver specifically.

If I could change one thing about my Culver experience, I would have been more social my first year and a half there. I came into Culver shy and self conscious and I struggled to make friends for a long time. If I could do it all again, I would make more of an effort to embrace myself and form relationships rather than trying to hide from others and myself. The biggest piece of advice I can offer anyone going to Culver is to be yourself and love yourself because people can always tell when you're pretending.

The best part about Culver for me was absolutely the people. Everyone who has been touched by Culver shares an identity and that is felt by the entire community. The teachers were the most passionate people I've ever worked with and I'm always in awe of what my Culver peers accomplish and the incredible people they're becoming.

The best thing to eat in the dining hall when there isn't anything else good is peanut butter, honey, and sunflower seeds all mixed together. Bonus points if there are apple slices to dip. Also, even if you're not a rower the top floor of the rowing center is the most beautiful place on campus. Finally, try something completely new that you wouldn't be able to otherwise like sailing or fencing or horsemanship.

The thing I liked most about the academics at Culver was the lack of busy work. I grew up in public schools and feel that most of my time was wasted going through the motions in the classroom. At Culver, I felt the students and teachers were more engaged and the assignments and projects were more innovative and applicable. Additionally, Culver affords students the opportunity to honor in various subjects by competing certain prerequisites and a capstone project. This allows students to pursue topics which interest them and is a more self-directed form of learning. Finally, the teachers I had at Culver we're among the best I've had in my life. They were not only present in the classroom, but around campus as well. You truly get to know your teachers and you can tell how much they care about the school and their students.

The best part about the athletic program at Culver is the variety and the facilities. Culver offered dozens of activities for students to get involved in at many different levels. The facilities are second to none with two sheets of ice, a pool, fields, a lake, a rowing center, a sailing center, indoor tennis facility, a golf course, and a massive barn. Additionally, Culver has a fitness requirement which all students must meet during each athletic season which keeps kids active and engaged in the community.

I was not involved in the arts on campus, but Culver has several arts buildings and galleries and from what I have heard from my peers there are lots of ways to be involved and the arts program as a whole is strong. I personally enjoyed that the galleries were always open for students and I often found myself wandering through them.

There are a ton of extracurricular activities at Culver. I personally loved the global studies institute which offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved with the global community. I participated in the World Food Prize through GSI and it has shaped many of my subsequent experiences and decisions. There is something for everyone, but if you have an interest in starting a club not currently offered, there is usually strong faculty and student support to do so.

My favorite part of dorm life was that all age groups are mixed together. It gives you a chance to bond with people you would not have met otherwise and makes for a stronger community. The adult staff in the dorms was also excellent with two adults on hand to assist with each dorm. Most rooms at Culver are doubles with communal kitchens and bathrooms. You are allowed to have food in your room but you cannot access the kitchens after lights out. The dorms are mostly student run with daily and weekly inspections.

Culver's dining hall is nice in the sense that it serves as a gathering place for the entire school community, not just the students. On more than one occasion I would walk into the dining hall only to bump into one of my teachers and their family. The hours are standard and food is usually accessable when you need it. The quality of the food is just ok and could definitely be improved, though there are usually a lot of options.

The town of Culver is tiny but quaint. Students are not typically allowed into town during the week, but may go on weekends. There is a small grocery store and several nice restaurants and cafes. Cafe Max is the best in terms of quality and price, ask for the sinful french toast! Also, the school and town sit on a beautiful lake.

I enjoyed the social nature of most of the students at the school. Most students preferred to be outside socializing rather than sitting alone in their rooms. My favorite memories from Culver were made on the Field in the spring and I will treasure my Culver friends for the rest of my life.