Catholic Schools are a fairly common source of education throughout the world; however, they get a bad rap. If you went to a Catholic School, here are a list of things people say about Catholic schools that you know aren't true (speaking from experience).

1. Catholic schools are for Catholic kids.

Catholic schools are open to everyone. There is no Catholic requirement. The schools I went to had kids from every religion, and about a third of the kids weren't Catholic.

2. Catholic schools are for rich kids.

Just like any school you go to, there are kids from both ends of the economic spectrum. Catholic schools typically charge tuition, but many make up for that with financial aid opportunities and scholarships. Remember, tuition is a necessary evil for private schools, because they don't get government funding.

3. Catholic schools are for bad kids.

Catholic schools are known for being strict which isn't an entirely untrue statement. However, they aren't bootcamps or substitutes for juvenile detention. In fact, most of us Catholic school kids were afraid to get in trouble for uniform violation.

4. Catholic schools have strict punishment.

Detention and suspension from after school activities, or level, are about as harsh as it gets before actual suspension. There aren't nuns with rulers or any kind of corporal punishment.

5. There are nuns.

This depends on where you went to school, but I went to two different Catholic schools and never had a nun at the school. Monks, however, are a different story. Monks are amazing, and the monks I had as teachers definitely rank as some of the best teachers I've had.

6. Catholic school will brainwash you.

I don't know why people think the sole purpose of Catholic schools is to force Catholicism upon the students. Parents often send their children to Catholic schools for the quality of education, not the theological aspect. That being said, you're probably not going to get away from a theology or religion class.

7. Catholic schools can recruit.

Sports are a lose/lose situation in Catholic schools. If your teams aren't good, people get mad. But if your teams are good, people accuse the school of recruiting (which most can't do).

8. Uniforms limit individuality.

There are a million ways to personalize a uniform. Different sweaters, shoes, cuts of skirts, pants, types of shirts, etc. The whole point of the uniform is to look professional and prepare students for a business world, not diminish personalities. This also prevents bullying that is associated with not being able to be part of a trend, and cuts down on time and stress. You pretty much know what you're going to wear everyday, so don't worry about it. Also, Catholic school kids don't wear their uniforms on weekends or during the summer, so yes, we have other clothes. I definitely miss not having to pick out an outfit everyday.

9. I can't go to Catholic school.

I'm not smart enough. I'm not rich enough. I wouldn't fit in. I've heard every excuse in the book. If you really want to a Catholic school, initiate a conversation with the school. They are incredibly flexible and want what is best for their students. The school I went to was an international boarding school, so there wasn't a way you couldn't fit in; we had it all.