I don’t think anyone on this thread is telling OP to ignore what his guidance counselor is saying. He’s been told repeatedly that is where he is likely to get his best information. And although OP is fortunate to have a true college counselor at his school, unlike the vast majority of other chance me posters, I don’t think it means that he should be treated differently than any other high school junior asking these types of questions.
And frankly, I would be shocked if OP’s counselor recommended all the schools in my second list. (I’d also be shocked, and doubt, that OP’s list was approved or vetted by his CC.) It’s bursting the bubble a bit, thinking outside the box. OP might look at the schools I mentioned and say “no way.” Or maybe he’ll keep an open-mind and investigate some and find 1 or 2 to add to his application list. But treating OP completely differently because he attends a boarding school feels a bit like a double standard to me.