Culver Academies - Review #21

The military/prefect system allows the students to govern themselves. This is not a school where adults run around with rulers ready to punish unsuspecting students. The students exercise responsibility while the faculty observe and make corrections along the way. The financial diversity of the students is key. Like many boarding schools, there are plenty of wealthy students, but there are probably more who fit in the category of middle or even lower income levels. This perspective is incredibly unique.

Culver is the kind of place that spits out public servants and people who impact many facets of life. It seems to me that many graduates find themselves looking out for others more than themselves after they graduate. I have a feeling that many other boarding school students would reply in the same way. Specifically, Culver is unique in it's application of structure and discipline. The system was based more on "personal responsibility" than forced performance.

I would have gone on some of those "habitat for humanity" like trips.

In a broad sense, there is an overwhelmingly nice atmosphere. The campus is beautiful and the students and faculty are great. It definitely has a mid-western feel to it.Personally, I liked the freedom Culver gave me to explore myself. I always felt at peace and relaxed.

Culver is a place that must be seen.

The instructors were keen on asking the students to think critically and looking at problems from multiple situations. The classes are by most accounts creative and offer something that sticks with the students well after the class is over. My favorite quality of the academics was that the instructors were available at almost any time to talk and it was not uncommon to "hang out" with them at other times of the day. Most importantly, Culver focuses on teamwork and learning, not prepping for the SAT or memorizing strange dates or people.

The sports I played were run professionally and the coaches were fair. The sports at Culver retain that "fun" element. I had more fun playing sports at Culver than I did in my younger days dealing with crazy parents and politics. Many students play for fun right alongside serious scholarship bound students. The facilities are incredible and there are a plethora of intramural sports. By the way, if you want to try rugby or fencing or crew etc... They've got it.

I was completely unaquainted with the Arts before I came to Culver. I owe Culver for my appreciation of the Arts. The program is incredible and the invited guests are of only thie highest talent.

I remember always wanting to do more, but never finding the time. I wish I would have one to Bulgaria like my sister to aid the poverty stricken regions. On campus activities were more numerous than I could count and participation was high.

There are plenty of "normal" options with regards to housing. The dorms are clean, the rooms must be kept spotless, but they are, nevertheless, comfortable and relaxing to a degree.

The food is decent. They list the health information. Culver catered to all religious codes as well as vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. There is also a "diner" type restaurant on campus. There is no real assigned seating.

The town is small and easily traversable. Culver is only 2 hours from Chicago. Shopping trips are frequent. We even had class there once or twice.

The social life was wonderful. It made me never want to leave. In looking at schools, that's the key. It was one of the biggest reasons I went there instead of the others. Everyone says "hi" even if they don't know you, and I honestly knew every student by name. I learned about life in 44 countries other than my own, I roomed with foreign students, and I still talk to other graduates regularly, even though they may live quite far away.