Indiana: The Culver Experience

The Gold Standard

When people ask "What's the best military boarding school in America?" Culver Academies comes up in almost every conversation.

With a $540 million endowment, an 1,800-acre lakeside campus, and resources that rival small colleges, Culver operates in a different league than most military schools. It's not just a military academy—it's one of the top boarding schools in the country, period.

For families who can afford it (or qualify for its generous financial aid), Culver offers an experience that's hard to match anywhere.

Culver Academies: By the Numbers

Location: Culver, Indiana (2 hours north of Indianapolis, on Lake Maxinkuckee)

Founded: 1894

Grades: 9-12

Type: Coed (separate tracks—see below)

Endowment: $540 million

Campus: 1,800 acres

Students: ~800

Student-Teacher Ratio: 6:1

Boarding Tuition: ~$67,000

Financial Aid: 37% of students receive need-based aid

The Two-Track System

What makes Culver unique among military schools is its dual structure:

Culver Military Academy (CMA) — For boys

• Full military structure
• Barracks living
• Uniforms and rank
• Army JROTC program
• The historic Black Horse Troop

Culver Girls Academy (CGA) — For girls

• Leadership-focused but not military structure
• Separate residential experience
• Own traditions and leadership hierarchy
• The famous Equestriennes

Both tracks share:

• Academic classes
• Most facilities
• Dining halls
• Many extracurricular activities

This means families with both sons and daughters can send them to the same school, with each getting a tailored experience.

What Makes Culver Different

The Endowment

At $540 million, Culver's endowment is larger than many colleges. This translates to:

• World-class facilities — Everything is maintained to an exceptional standard
• Small class sizes — 6:1 student-teacher ratio
• Generous financial aid — Ability to meet demonstrated need
• Top faculty — Can recruit and retain excellent teachers
• Program depth — Resources for everything from aviation to equestrian

Most military schools operate on tight budgets. Culver doesn't.

The Campus

Culver sits on 1,800 acres along Lake Maxinkuckee—one of the largest natural lakes in Indiana. The campus includes:

• Academic buildings that rival college facilities
• Athletic fields and facilities for every sport
• Extensive equestrian facilities (stables, training rings)
• Lake access for sailing, rowing, and water activities
• Wooded areas for outdoor training
• Historic barracks and new residential facilities

Students don't just attend school here—they live in an environment designed to inspire.

The Black Horse Troop

Culver's Black Horse Troop is legendary. This mounted cavalry unit has:

• Ridden in 18 presidential inaugural parades
• Performed across the country
• Maintained horsemanship traditions since 1897
• Become a symbol of Culver excellence

For students interested in equestrian activities, Culver offers something no other military school can match.

The Equestriennes

Culver Girls Academy's Equestriennes are equally prestigious:

• All-female precision riding team
• Inaugural parade appearances
• National performances
• Unique leadership opportunity for female students

Summer Programs

Culver operates extensive summer programs:

• Woodcraft Camp — Outdoor skills and leadership
• Naval School — Sailing, seamanship
• Upper Camp — Traditional camp experience
• Specialty camps — Aviation, fine arts, academics

Summer programs serve as both standalone experiences and introductions to the full Culver experience. Many full-year students first attended a summer session.

The Culver Day

Life at Culver follows a structured schedule:

Weekday Example:

• 0600 - Reveille
• 0630 - Morning formation
• 0700 - Breakfast
• 0800-1200 - Morning classes
• 1200 - Lunch
• 1300-1500 - Afternoon classes
• 1530-1800 - Athletics, activities, or equestrian
• 1800 - Dinner formation and meal
• 1930-2130 - Study hall
• 2200 - Lights out

Weekends include inspections, recreational time, and activities. Upperclassmen earn increasing privileges.

Academics

Culver is a serious college preparatory school:

Curriculum

• Rigorous liberal arts curriculum
• 20+ AP courses
• Honors tracks in all subjects
• Required fine arts and athletics

College Placement

Recent graduates attend:

• Ivy League schools
• Top liberal arts colleges
• Service academies (West Point, Naval Academy, etc.)
• Major research universities

The 6:1 student-teacher ratio means individualized college counseling that larger schools can't match.

Learning Support

Despite its rigor, Culver offers support for students who need it:

• Academic tutoring
• Study skills programming
• Learning differences support (for appropriate candidates)

Students must be able to handle the academic challenge, but support exists for those who qualify.

Athletics

Culver fields 24 varsity sports—unusual depth for a school of 800 students. The endowment means:

• Excellent coaching staff
• Top-tier facilities
• Competition against other elite boarding schools

Key programs include:

• Hockey (new arena with NHL-quality ice)
• Crew (on Lake Maxinkuckee)
• Equestrian
• Football, basketball, all traditional sports

Many Culver athletes go on to compete in college.

The Cost Question

At $67,000 per year for boarding, Culver is expensive. But context matters:

Financial Aid Reality

• 37% of students receive need-based aid
• Culver can meet significant demonstrated need
• The $540M endowment funds substantial aid

What this means: Many families pay less than sticker price. If your family qualifies for need-based aid, Culver may be more accessible than you think.

Is It Worth It?

The value proposition:

• Facilities rivaling or exceeding any boarding school in America
• Class sizes smaller than most private schools
• College placement on par with top prep schools
• Network of accomplished alumni
• Unique programs (equestrian, aviation, etc.) not available elsewhere

For families who can afford it—or qualify for aid—Culver delivers an experience that's difficult to replicate.

Comparing Value

Culver's cost is comparable to elite prep schools while offering military structure those schools lack.

Who Thrives at Culver

Ideal Candidates

• High-achieving students who want structure
• Athletes seeking exceptional programs
• Equestrian enthusiasts
• Students from accomplished families expecting excellence
• Young people seeking both military structure and academic rigor
• Families wanting coed environment with separate tracks

Consider Carefully

• Students who need therapeutic intervention (Culver is not a treatment program)
• Families for whom $67,000 (or net cost after aid) is unaffordable
• Students who wouldn't benefit from the intensive environment
• Young people opposed to structure and high expectations

Culver is demanding. Students who thrive embrace that challenge.

Admission to Culver

Selectivity

Culver is selective:

• Strong academic record expected
• Character assessment through interviews
• Demonstrated leadership or potential
• Physical ability to participate in program

The Process

1. Application — Common application materials
2. Interview — On campus or virtual
3. Campus visit — Strongly encouraged
4. Financial aid application — If seeking aid
5. Decision — Rolling, with priority deadlines

Start early. Visiting campus gives you the best sense of whether Culver is right.

Indiana's Other Option

For at-risk youth, Indiana offers a free alternative:

Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy (near Knightstown)

• Free 22-week residential program
• For youth 16-18 who have dropped out or are at risk
• Run by Indiana National Guard
• Focus: GED completion, life skills

This is an intervention program, not a traditional school. It serves a completely different population than Culver.

Funding Resources

Indiana Programs

Choice Scholarship Program: Indiana offers vouchers for private school tuition at participating schools. Check whether Culver participates and what caps apply.

529 Tax Credit: Indiana offers a 20% state tax credit (up to $1,500) on 529 contributions. Funds can be used for K-12 tuition up to $10,000/year.

Culver Financial Aid

• Need-based grants
• Merit consideration in some cases
• Payment plans available

Contact Culver's admissions and financial aid offices for specific information.

Visiting Culver

What to Experience

• Tour the 1,800-acre campus
• See the equestrian facilities
• Observe students in daily life
• Meet with admissions
• Talk to current cadets and families

Questions to Ask

1. "What percentage of students receive financial aid, and what's the average award?"
2. "How do CMA (boys) and CGA (girls) interact daily?"
3. "What support exists for students who struggle initially?"
4. "What makes a student successful here versus struggling?"
5. "Can I connect with current families from my region?"

The Culver Network

Culver alumni include:

• Military generals
• CEOs and business leaders
• Government officials
• Professionals across every field

The alumni network is active, engaged, and helpful to graduates entering careers. This isn't just school—it's lifetime membership in an accomplished community.

Next Steps

Learn how to evaluate military schools including Culver. Understand the parent's emotional journey of boarding school. If Culver's cost is a concern, explore military school costs and funding options including less expensive alternatives.