Returning back from my travels across the country and now meeting prospective families during campus visits, I am truly amazed at how impressive this next generation of student really is.

We have some great future leaders amongst us. And, for many of the families I have met with over the last couple of months, the parents recognize the special talents and potential in their children. This recognition has led them to look at other options for the final years of primary education.

So, why are they looking at boarding schools?

In my opinion, I think it boils down to one word – environment. It’s a total package environment – one that provides some of the most enriching opportunities inside the classroom and out. Simply put, it’s all-inclusive.

The academic setting is at the forefront at our institutions and we challenge your student with the rigors of a demanding curriculum. But with demanding coursework, there is also a high level of support. A mantra we often say at our schools, Culver Academies,  is “high challenge, high support”. We support the students with outstanding faculty and a network of resources. We want to see every one of our students achieve their potential and to see them reach a level that was once never thought possible.

Individual attention is normal in our low student to teacher ratio classrooms. Additionally, the fact that most faculty and their families live on or near campus provides every student a level of access to faculty that is unmatched anywhere else.

Outside the classroom are numerous enriching activities. I am amazed at the day in the life of a boarding student. Where else would a normal day include classes, lunch, a few more classes, observing a performance by the Jiangsu Performing Arts Group, followed by athletics or a club and then wrap it up with an evening lecture from Michael Uslan, executive producer of The Dark Knight.

Are you running around driving your child all over the place for private music lessons on Monday’s and Wednesday’s, Soccer practice on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s and then trying to fit other community involvement somewhere in between?

You can find those activities (and so much more) at a boarding school. Come check our schools out – you’ll be amazed.

About Derek Perkins:
Derek Perkins serves as the Associate Director of Admissions at Culver Academies. He works with domestic and international families; enjoys the marketing, communications and technology side of the admissions office; and also serve as coach for one of Culver’s boy’s hockey teams.

One of the things that attracted Mr. Perkins to the boarding school environment is the incredible sense of community and caring that can come from such a place. He’s amazed at the opportunities and experiences our students are exposed to.

Past Experience: Mr. Perkins spent five years in higher education admissions and enrollment management and was most recently the Director of Enrollment Systems at Marian University in Indianapolis, IN.