This year alone 1,835,376 kids are enrolled in Catholic Schools across the United States, the average cost for elementary school tuition is $3,673 and for secondary school $9,622.

The question most people ask is: Is Catholic School worth it?

After attending Catholic School for 5 years, I can definitely say there are ups and downs to it.

The fact that it was so small was nice because it was like we were one big family, everyone knew not only each other but their families as well. We only had two classes of about 24 kids a grade. This gave me the ability to meet my best friend, who is still very much a part of my life today.

Along with knowing all the children around you, you got to know the teachers as well. With the ratio being so small it was very enhancing because the teachers knew you and all the strengths and weaknesses you had, they had time to actually sit down and work with you. Academically I can say that it really did challenge me, along with giving me the proper guidance I needed.

Other aspects changed my view though.

Being that it was a Catholic School, of course, we practiced the religion. However, the way that it was taught and how it was pushed upon us made me, and others, pull away from the Catholic religion. I think when dealing with children the teachings should never be aggressive or harsh, and that's exactly what it was.

Also, being a private school and having to pay thousands to go there, there was definite bullying and socio-economic classes, even in young children. The bullying did not just end at how much your parents made, but many others things as well.

The downfall to having a small school and being in almost every class everyone knows each other and almost every part of their life. The teachers being friends with the parents turned a blind eye and the punishment wasn't implemented when it should have been.

The best parts of Catholic School for me was the academics and how it was so thorough in our education. It was my greatest tool and prepared me greatly for high school. However, sometimes I wish I had not gone because it did turn me away from a beautiful religion which now, 6 years later I'm just getting back into.