<p>I agree with Periwinkle that there are big differences between middle school and high school. Firstgen’s personal experience was at high school though, albeit a generation ago. And I’d say that the boy culture that is being described here is very similar to the athletic boy culture at prep school. All that stuff still happens; the difference is that in a co-ed environment, it’s not the primary culture, and can be more easily disregarded or put into perspective. It may well be that there are all-boy schools that also offer real alternatives. Again, all I’m suggesting is that families go into a visit at an all-boys school looking carefully at the culture.</p>