Culver Academies (Top Ranked Private School for 2026)

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Quick Facts (2026)

Top Ranked IN School
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 832 students
Yearly Tuition: $69,500
Acceptance rate: 48%
Average class size: 14 students
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Culver Academies ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Indiana for:

School Facts

School Membership(s)School Assoc.

Association of Military Colleges and Schools
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
State or regional independent school association
The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS)
Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)

Religious Affiliation

Nonsectarian

Grades Offered

Grades 9-12

Students By Grade

View Data

Distribution of Students By Grade
Grade	Culver Academies
9	172
10	208
11	234
12	218

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Year Founded

1894

Summer School Offered

Yes

Summer Program Details

View Summer Program Details

School Calendar

View School Calendar

Last Day of School

Sun. Jun 6, 2027

Campus Size

1800 acres

Student Body

Total Students

832 students

Student Body Type

Co-ed

% Students of Color

28%

State avg.: 26%

Academics & Faculty

Total Classroom Teachers

137 teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

6:1

National avg.: 11:1

% Faculty w/Advanced Degree

87%

Average Class Size

14 students

Number of AP Courses

24 courses

List of Courses Offered

Link to List of Courses

Advanced Courses

AP BiologyAP Calculus B

AP ChemistryAP Comparative Government

AP English Language & CompositionAP Environmental Science

AP European HistoryAP French Language

AP GermanAP Latin - Vergil

AP Literature & CompositionAP Macroeconomics

AP MicroeconomicsAP Music Theory

AP Physics BAP Physics C: Mechanics

AP Spanish LanguageAP Statistics

AP U.S. Government & PoliticsAP U.S. History

AP World HistoryHonors Elements of Calculus

Honors French 2 & 3Honors Geometry

Honors Intermediate AlgebraHonors Latin 3

Honors Linear AlgebraHonors Pre-Calculus

Honors Science Research 1 & 2Honors Spanish 2 & 3

Honors Visual Art Portfolio

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Average SAT score

1245

(Out of 1600)

Average ACT score

(Out of 36)

Matriculation DataMatric. Data

View Matriculation Data

Classroom Dress Code

Formal

School Uniform

Tuition & Acceptance Rate

Admission Deadline

Jan. 15 / rolling

Yearly Tuition Cost

$69,500

View national tuition avg.

Tuition Notes

Book fees, special program, and uniform costs not included.

Summer Program Cost

$8,100

Summer Program Cost Notes

Uniform and special program fees are not included.

% on Financial Aid

35%

Average Financial Aid Grant

$32,370

Acceptance Rate

48%

National avg.: 82%

College Acceptance Rate

100%

Admissions Director

Mr. Steven Pietraszek

Application URL

Online Application

Endowment Size

$713 million

Sports

Total Sports Offered

26 sports

School Notes

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.

School Motto: Culver educates its students for leadership and responsible citizenship.
School Mascot: Eagles

"Culver educates its students for leadership and responsible citizenship in society by developing and nurturing the whole individual mind, spirit, and body through integrated programs that emphasize the cultivation of character."
The Culver Missionstatement is phrased in relatively modern language, but the principles andtraditionsfrom which it springs go back to thefounding of the school in 1894.It`s this focus on principles, rather than simply a place, thatguides us aswe meetstudents` needs,whether it`sduring a traditional school year, over the summer, or within theparalleland coeducational,yetunique,systems of the boys andgirlsschools.Students do not merely attend Culver; they become part of the Culver Story a story that is rooted in tradition and innovation.
Leadership & Character
Telling the truth, doing what is right, and considering the needs of others. These are the building blocks of strong character. Building blocks that great leaders in the making come to possess and use as the foundation to hone their skills and strengths.At Culver, we live and lead by example, giving our students and summer campers the tools, the understanding and the moment-by-moment application of what they`ve learned to excel but, more importantly, how to view adversity not as a problem, but as an opportunity to lead others by doing what is right.In the end, Culver graduates thrive in their future endeavors in college, in the workplace and in their personal lives because these values of courage, honor and service to others are at the core of their experience here.
Academic Excellence
Culver believes that we should think for ourselves. To that end, Culver does not merely hand students the answers, but rather gives them a deep understanding of every topic and its impact on the world.In a sense, the rigorous exploration demanded by this pursuit of academic truth that feeds into the holistic approach of a character-building Culver education, giving young people the critical thinking skills they need to foster the ability to distinguish the wise from the unwise and the courage and strength to act on those perceptions.
Holistic Wellness
Culver`s holistic approach does not stop at the classroom door, nor is it limited to the barracks or dorm. The Culver Mission commands that we develop students "mind, spirit and body." Spirit is intentionally placed in the center, recognizing the balance they need in their life. Our students have a duty to themselves to fulfill their commitments, but also understand the impact making those commitments can have.They are also taught the skills to understand and meet their mental, social, moral, spiritual and physical needs. By teaching them to explore spirituality and morality, Culver students come to learn they have a place in the world, and, more importantly, that what they do matters to others, and that they themselves matter to others, in their unit, in their dorm, and within the greater Culver community. When they leave Culver, they are able to navigate the greater global community and make their way in it confidently and maturely.
Global Citizenship
Culver believes that in a diverse community, people overcome their natural inclination to adhere solely to what they know. Culver students live, work, and play in an atmosphere that is naturally diverse. The broad, global perspectives that students, faculty and staff from other countries, cultures and backgrounds bring to academic and residential life only serves to ensure students have a wealth of information to draw on when analyzing and making a decision, and to understand the impact of those decisions on the greater community. And with a residential community where every student plays a key role in the success of that community, the respect for other cultures and traditions is built up, strengthening the experience for everyone.

Sample of notable school alumni/alumnae:
- Kath Lingenfelter - Television writer and producer (Westworld, Caprica, The Leftovers, House M.D.)
- Hal Holbrook - Oscar-Nominated Actor
- Frank Batten - Weather Channel founder
- George Steinbrenner - New York Yankees owner
- Bernardo Quintana - Chairman and CEO, ICA Corporation
- Mitchell Henderson - Head Basketball Coach, Princeton University
- Molly Engstrom - Two-time Olympian
- Jon Scieszka - Children's Book Author
- Dr. Sally Hodder - HIV/AIDS researcher
- Miles White - Chairman, Former CEO, Abbott Laboratories

Source: Verified school update

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Culver Academies cost?

Culver Academies's tuition is approximately $69,500 for private students and $8,100 for summer students.

What is the acceptance rate of Culver Academies?

The acceptance rate of Culver Academies is 48%, which is lower than the national average of 84%. Culver Academies's acceptance rate is ranked among the top private schools in Indiana with low acceptance rates.

Who are famous alumni from Culver Academies?

Culver Academies famous alumni include: Kath Lingenfelter, Hal Holbrook, Frank Batten, George Steinbrenner, Bernardo Quintana, Mitchell Henderson, Molly Engstrom, Jon Scieszka, Dr. Sally Hodder and Miles White.

Does Culver Academies offer a summer program?

Yes, Culver Academies offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.

What sports does Culver Academies offer?

Culver Academies offers 26 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Crew, Cross Country, Dance, Diving, Drill Team, Equestrian, Fencing, Football, Golf, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Polo, Riflery, Rugby, Sailing, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Winter Track and Wrestling. Culver Academies is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Indiana for most sports offered.

What is Culver Academies's ranking?

Culver Academies ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Indiana for: Lowest average acceptance rates, Highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees, Largest student body, Most AP courses offered, Most sports offered, Oldest founding date and Largest endowments.

When is the application deadline for Culver Academies?

The application deadline for Culver Academies is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

5 3/14/2023

great school.

- Posted by Student/Alumni - z

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Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Indiana is $9,260 for elementary schools and $11,894 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).

The average acceptance rate in Indiana is 84% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).