[jyl]

Around here, the Catholic/religious private schools are mostly okay but academically nothing special. Or, very expensive.

We looked at St Mary's girls' HS for our daughter, decided the kids there seemed like fine, centered kids but the curriculum was very limited (not much language, no advanced math, no IB), and her friend who is going there is bored stiff. The mandatory 1 hour/day of religious instruction seems like a waste of time, unless you happen to actually be that religious. No, it is not about all the world's religions and cultures - it is about one religion and indeed one denomination within that religion.

She was admitted to Jesuit HS which is excellent but the commute is too long and it has the "lots of rich kids" problem. I did like the school, though.

The Episcopal School is excellent but extremely expensive, and again full of rich kids in BMWs. One goal of mine is for her to meet and be comfortable with people from all walks of life.

The other religious-affiliated schools here - that I looked at - are so-so, academically-speaking.