After twelve years of a Catholic education, I have grown to abhor those who condemn my educational environment. I have always been seen as strange or right-wing because of my firm stance in some issues such as religion, morals, values, and other societal issues; these were a direct result of my education. Of course, my family and friends influenced my character development, but the majority of time spent was in a catholic-teaching environment and therefore this is the predominant influence. Throughout these twelve years, I have considered the criticisms and stereotypes of a Catholic education and found them to be, on the most part, unfounded and ignorant.

I laughed every time I heard that a Catholic education "brainwashes" or "breeds" children to believe certain things and become something like automatons. Most of those who argue such a twisted viewpoint base their views on the idea that the religious teachings force children to think one way. Granted, primary education is basic and tells children what to believe, but children are never taught that this is the only way things exist. Instead, teachers emphasize that the Catholic church believes in this philosophy. More extreme religious schools may profess that certain beliefs are absolute, but cultural and educational trends have gone away from this extremist educational philosophy, especially in the United States. Especially at Jesuit, teachers instruct students on the basis that the material discussed is for their careful and logical consideration and reflection.

The next most common critique of a parochial education is the personal standard students are expected to attain. The most common form of this are the uniforms required by most Catholic schools. Critics say that this limits a child's expression of himself and furthers the breeding quality of these schools. Once again, the advantages strongly outweigh the drawbacks. Uniforms are cheaper than regular street clothes, eliminate social competition for the best look, and are much easier for parents in respect to washing, cost, and early-morning dressing headaches. At Jesuit, uniforms were abandoned some time ago for a strict dress-code policy. The result is that students feel more relaxed and the administration and faculty isn't offended or shocked by a student's attire.

Perhaps the most valid and widely used argument against a Catholic or private education is the cost. A typical parochial school education will cost around $3,000 per year, while a high school education ranges between $5,500 to $8,000. Critics of such a costly education link the high payments to the segregation of education; they argue that high costs lead to high society and a poor cross-section of a child's community. Even though the majority of families cannot afford such an expensive education, that does not mean that Catholic schools are elitist in anyway. Jesuit has students from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds and encourages students with the capability of attending Jesuit to not let financial factors hold them back.

Of course, this wouldn't be a problem if a form of the vouchers program were installed into public education. Through vouchers, schools- both public and private- would be forced to make themselves more attractive to potential students. Inner-city public schools would not be disadvantaged because they would experience an near fatal blow to their enrollment. As a result, they could rework their curriculum and staffing in a more efficient way. Private schools would have a larger pool to choose from and those turned away from these schools would find themselves looking for a public school. In the long run, many schools would be hurt, but the causalities would have created an environment in which competition leads to productivity and the streamlining of public education.

Despite the criticisms of a Catholic education that it brainwashes, breeds conformity, and bankrupts a family, the schools thrive as some of the greatest and most recognized institutions in the world. Before there were ever any public schools, children were educated by private or religious individuals and groups. It seems that my many years of Catholic education have not twisted my mind too much. I can think on my own; I am aware of the larger world community around me; I respect others and their lives; I love living and learning everyday: what's wrong with that, besides the fact that it cost my family around $50,000 (about the same one spends on a gas-guzzling Suburban when all one really needs is an Accord to ferry junior around).