Culver Academies United States Flag

A+ 20 Reviews Indiana, US

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School Overview

Data & methodology
Overall A+
Matriculation A+
Academics A
Extracurriculars A+
Geo & Community B
Reviews A-
Culver Academies is a values-based, mission-driven, vision-inspired institution that has been developing courageous leaders of honorable character, who are global citizens and lifelong scholars, since 1894. Located on 1,800 acres along Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Indiana, Culver offers a co-educational, residential experience beyond that of the typical boarding school for students in grades 9-12. Culver graduates are accepted and matriculate to some of the top colleges & universities in the nation. In fact, 81% of students in the Class of 2025 have enrolled at a college or university that ranks in the "most competitive" or "highly competitive" tier according to Barron's Profile of American Colleges. Culver Military Academy for boys, Culver Girls Academy for girls, and Culver Summer Schools & Camps comprise Culver Academies. We serve 835 students during the academic year and over 1,300 during the summer, providing the most comprehensive leadership education program in the country.
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Ranking

Top 50 College Matriculation Rankings
Top 100 Academic Rankings
Top 10 Extracurricular Rankings
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School Stats

Average
Current school
Tuition
$67,000
Enrollment
830
International Students
18%
Faculty with Advanced Degrees
87%
Teacher-Student Ratio
1:6
Endowment
$540 million
AP
26
Average SAT Score
1240
Average ACT Score
25
Class Size
14
Boarding %
100

Matriculation


College Matriculation

(2025)
Ranking University/College Students
#1 Princeton University 1 +
#2 Columbia University 1 +
#2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1 +
#5 Yale University 1 +
LAC #1 Williams College 1 +
#6 Stanford University 1 +
#6 University of Chicago 1 +
#8 University of Pennsylvania 1 +
#9 Duke University 1 +

Academics

AP Scores

(2019)
Number of tests taken
761

AP Courses

(26)
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Spanish Language and Culture
Statistics
Music Theory
Chinese Language and Culture
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Spanish Language and Culture
Statistics
Music Theory
Chinese Language and Culture
French Language and Culture
Art History
Comparative Government and Politics
Computer Science A
English Language and Composition
English Literature and Composition
European History
Latin
United States Government and Politics
United States History
World History
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Sports

(19)
Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Diving
Fencing
Golf
Basketball
Cheerleading
Cross Country
Diving
Fencing
Golf
Lacrosse
Rowing
Sailing
Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball
Wrestling
Baseball
Equestrain
Football
Ice Hockey
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Extracurricular Activities and Clubs

(41)
Black Student Union (BSU)
Book Club
Boy Scouts Troop 209
CGA Rugby Club
Canoe Sports
Chess Club
Black Student Union (BSU)
Book Club
Boy Scouts Troop 209
CGA Rugby Club
Canoe Sports
Chess Club
Chinese Culture Club
Coding Club
Community Service Club
Cultural Corner (Diverse Conversations)
Culver Rifle Club
Culver Youth Community Organization (CYCO)
Discussing American Topics (DAT)
Diversity Council
Dungeons and Dragons Club
French Club
Green Life
Junior Classical League Latin Club
Knitting Club
Linguistic Olympiad
Math Forum
Model United Nations
Peer Coaching - Tutoring
Performing Caring Collaborating (PCC)
Quizbowl
Racquet Sports (badminton
table tennis
squash)
Review Line (formerly The Quill – literary magazine)
Robotics
Roll Call (Yearbook)
Science Club Student Ambassador Organization (SAO)
Shotgun Sports Club
Sin Fornteras
Spectrum (LGBTQ+ Alliance)
Speech Team
Stamp Club
Spiritual Life (Various Topics & Faiths)
Vedette
Women in STEM W.R.A.P. Women’s Rights Awareness Program
Writing Center
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Arts

(19)
Band
Dance
Improvisation
Jazz
Music
Music Theory
Band
Dance
Improvisation
Jazz
Music
Music Theory
Musical Theatre
Percussion
String
Vocal
Art History
Ceramics
Digital Music
Drawing
Graphic Design
Painting
Photography
Sculpture
Visual Arts
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Basic Info

Co-ed
Boarding Grades: 9-12
Rural
IB: No
ESL: Yes
Year Founded: 1894
Campus Size: 1800 acres
Boarding Rate: 100%
Acceptance Rate: 43%
Religious Affiliation: No Religious Affiliation

Application Info

Deadline: 01/15
Interview: Zoom, On Campus
School Code:
ISEE: 572340
Recommended
Boarding
The Webb School United States Flag
A-
Recommended

Reviews

A FindingSchool User
5 / 5
05/14/2026
Reviews from other languages
5
5
5
Culver Academies, founded in 1894, is an independent boarding college preparatory school for grades 9-12. It is characterized by "semi-military management + holistic development" and boasts one of the largest endowments among high schools nationwide. The campus spans 1800 acres, adjacent to the University of Notre Dame and Purdue University, offering significant advantages in natural environment and academic synergy.
Academically, the school offers 26 AP courses and 19 honors programs, with an average AP score of 4.1 and an average SAT score of 1320. The student-teacher ratio is 1:6, with an average class size of 14 students. 87% of teachers hold advanced degrees and provide personalized guidance after class, complemented by excellent libraries and laboratories to support students' research and academic advancement.
Distinctive features: Equestrian is a flagship program, with an equestrian center that is among the largest in the U.S. The cavalry corps has been invited to participate in presidential inaugurations multiple times. The Global Spring Pathway program takes students on study tours to various countries, and the semi-military management is synchronized with a prefect system, cultivating students' self-discipline and leadership skills.
With excellent arts and sports resources, including professional art venues and unique sports facilities, the school offers diverse art courses. Sports such as ice hockey and rowing have repeatedly achieved national recognition, fully supporting students' holistic development. It is ideal for students who seek self-discipline, love unique sports, and value leadership development.
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A FindingSchool User
5 / 5
10/10/2024
Reviews from other languages
Culver Academies was first established in 1894 in north-central Indiana. It is a military-managed boarding school formed by the merger of Culver Military Academy and Culver Girls Academy. The school spans 1800 acres, is a 2-hour drive from Chicago, and is situated on the beautiful north shore of Lake Maxinkuckee. Over more than a hundred years, Culver Academies has produced countless leaders, and its alumni donations rank among the top private high schools in the States.
The school offers 185 courses, including 49 art courses, 26 AP courses, and 21 honors programs. The school's most unique program is The Ron Rubin School for the Entrepreneur, which provides Culver students with dynamic opportunities to learn and practice entrepreneurial skills. Through interaction with highly successful entrepreneurs and challenging tasks requiring teamwork, students gain a more nuanced understanding of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
In terms of sports, boys are divided into infantry, cavalry, artillery, and band, and all boys undergo one year of military training. Equestrianism has a long historical tradition at the school; Culver students can be seen annually in the National Day parades or reviews in Washington D.C., and the school's equestrian team participates in presidential inaugurations. The school boasts two enormous equestrian centers and stables, with the Vaughn Equestrian Center being one of the largest equestrian training facilities in the nation.
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A FindingSchool User
5 / 5
08/02/2023
Reviews from other languages
The school's rigorous ethos management helps students develop strong self-discipline.

Culver Academies, originally founded in 1894, was formed by the merger of Culver Military Academy (CMA) and Culver Girls Academy (CGA), and is known for its strict, precise, and rigorous management system.

Since 1897, Culver's horsemanship program has been teaching students the qualities of wisdom, courage, temperance, and justice. The equestrian department has now developed an advanced curriculum designed to cultivate character and leadership skills while learning to control and manage horses. The Culver Academies' Black Horse Troop participated in the presidential inauguration ceremony held on January 20 for President-elect Donald J. Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence. This marked the 17th time the Black Horse Troop marched down Pennsylvania Avenue since its first appearance in 1913.

Culver's Global Studies Institute, established in 2000, is a non-partisan center for the study of international affairs and a forum for open, serious discussion of the great challenges facing the international community. Its fundamental mission is to help students become more knowledgeable and responsible global citizens.
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A FindingSchool User
5 / 5
07/27/2023
Reviews from other languages
Culver Academies data: student population 835, student-teacher ratio 1:6, international students 20%, boarding rate 94%, teachers with advanced degrees 87%, average class size 14, offers 185 courses. Originally founded in 1894, Culver Academies was formed by the merger of Culver Military Academy and Culver Girls Academy. It is an independent university-preparatory boarding school and one of the most famous private high schools in the United States, accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The school is situated by a beautiful lake, less than two hours from Chicago, offering convenient transportation. Due to its military-style management, the school maintains a rigorous and strict discipline, emphasizing the holistic development of students (moral, intellectual, and physical), fostering their leadership and sense of responsibility. The Academies offer a complete range of academic courses, with an emphasis on character development. Over the past century, the school has developed first-class programs unparalleled in the United States, including academic curricula, leadership, religious, and athletic programs. During their time at school, students are subject to strict management, and the school requires them to be self-disciplined in their studies and socially responsible.
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Frequently Ask Questions about Culver Academies

Tell me a bit about Culver Academies.
Culver Academies is Co-ed private boarding school located in Indiana, US. It was founded 1894 , and currently has about 830 students, 18.00% of whom are international students.

For more official information, please visit http://www.culver.org.
Does Culver Academies have rigorous academic requirements?
Culver Academies is offering 26 AP courses.

Culver Academies also have 87% of faculties whose degrees are master and above.
Where do Culver Academies students typically go for their colleges?
Based on the most recent matriculation data, 2% go to top 50 US universities and colleges*, 2% go to top 25, and about 0.5% go to Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and MIT.

*Ranking is based on the 2024 US News College Ranking.
What is the application requirement for Culver Academies?
Similar to most private schools in the US, Culver Academies’s typical admission requirements include school transcript, recommendation letter, application essay, and interview (often optional, but highly recommended).
What is the Boarding Tuition for Culver Academies?
The total fee for Culver Academies in 2024 is $67,000 which typically includes tuition, boarding fee, student management fee and a few other fees associated with managing international students.

For more information, please contact school’s admission team at admissions@culver.org .
Where is Culver Academies located?
Culver Academies is located in the State of Indiana of USA.
How popular is Culver Academies on the FindingSchool network?
Based on FindingSchool monthly traffic data as well as onsite search record, Culver Academies is among the most popular schools, within top 39 for all schools on FindingSchool.

Also Culver Academies has been favorited by 890 users.
How do I complete an application for Culver Academies?
The first stop is to carefully review the school profile on FindingSchool to learn more about Culver Academies. Most of them are directly provided by the school.

Also it is highly recommended to visit Culver Academies’s official site: http://www.culver.org or call them at 574-842-7100.
Are there additional schools that are located close to Culver Academies?
Yes, here are few: La Lumiere School,

What is the FindingSchool rating for Culver Academies?
The overall rating for Culver Academies is A+.

The section ratings of Culver Academies are:
A+ for Matriculation
A for Academics
A+ for Extracurriculum
B for Community
A- for Students and Parents reviews

Nearby City

Chicago, located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Illinois, is one of the largest and most vibrant cities in the U.S. Known for its iconic skyline, the city boasts architectural marvels such as the Willis Tower and John Hancock Center. Chicago is also home to world-class museums, including the Art Institute of Chicago, famous for its extensive collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. With a rich cultural scene, diverse neighborhoods, and a legacy in jazz and blues music, Chicago stands as a hub of history, culture, and innovation.

Population (2022) 2,853,114
Cost of Living Higher than average 22%
FindingSchool collects its data from a variety of reliable sources, including schools, advisors, official U.S. statistics, and feedback from actual parents and students.
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