<p>TigerDad - </p>
<p>regarding Culver - we have a daughter there in 10th grade, who is having an outstanding experience so far, and our son was accepted there for next year’s 9th grade, and is wrestling with the question of taking that place rather than the other two places he was accepted at (one a HADES, both in New England). There are 700 miles between us and Culver, so yeah, we understand the distance thing. From your post, it appears that you are asking many of the same questions we are - feel free to PM me if you would like. </p>
<p>Overall, I find myself liking the schools that have some kind of a work experience - whether it’s the military (prefects for the girls) system at CMA/CGA, or the work requirement at NMH, or the other schools which have an organized way of “giving back”, I find myself liking the effect - the sense of purpose that the kids seem to acquire. </p>
<p>Maybe not a deal maker or breaker, but when the academics are on par (and Culver’s are pretty hot, at least at the top), the “job” adds something to the experience.</p>