I'm in the same situation, looking for high schools for my now 9 year old. I went to the local comp and the local catholic school, and there was just no competition for me. The local high school had posters in every window saying..Think you might be pregnant? Gay,wanna give up smoking? Have problems with anger? Taking drugs? The list was endless. Great that they are supporting all these kids that might be having a tough time. But then I went to the Catholic school, and their posters were so so positive, about art festivals, about helping kids in Africa, after school activities. So much more in line with how I want my kids to view the world, and how I view the world myself.
We are complete atheists, but I figure we can balance out their education at home, I would rather give my kids the opportunity for an excellent education, which I believe they will get at the catholic school, than give them access to a poorer education, where expectations are clearly lower, just because they arnt catholic. If that makes sense?
The Catholic school was warm, bright, they had dance, art, and a Cross in every room..but not a Nun in sight (which was my mothers issue) The teachers do not have to be Catholic and their intake is 50% of non Catholics, so I figure its Ok.
Now I just have to pray they get in!