Catholic School vs Public School at a Glance
Before diving into details, it helps to see the big picture. Parents often notice contrasts in class size, culture, and how each school talks about truth, goodness, and virtue. The chart below offers a quick snapshot as you compare a Catholic school vs public school and consider Royalmont Academy.
| Area | Catholic School | Public School | Royalmont Academy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Academic excellence and formation in faith and virtue | Academic achievement within a value-neutral framework | Integral formation in the four dimensions: intellectual, human, spiritual, apostolic |
| Class Size | Generally smaller, more personal | Often larger, especially in growing districts | Intentionally small classes with personalized attention |
| Worldview | Openly Catholic, unified vision of the human person | Required to remain religiously neutral | Unapologetically Catholic and joyfully welcoming to all families |
| Discipline | Virtue-based, rooted in human dignity | Policy-based, focused on compliance | Boys Town model integrated with human formation goals |
| Leadership | Often available, varies by school | Depends on district programs | Deliberate leadership ecosystem forming “strong Christian leaders” |
| Community | Shared faith, strong school–home partnership | Broad, diverse community with many perspectives | Tight-knit, mission-driven community that walks with families |
How Catholic Schools Approach Education Differently
Catholic schools see education as more than grades and test scores. Every child is a whole person with a mind, heart, soul, and unique mission in life. Because of this, Catholic education aims at human flourishing in this life and eternal life with God.
Nationally, Catholic schools are known for strong academics and excellent outcomes. Over time, they have reported higher graduation and college-going rates than national averages for public schools. In addition, they integrate a Catholic worldview across subjects rather than adding faith as an afterthought. Students begin to see math, literature, history, and science as part of God’s ordered creation, not as disconnected pieces.
Just as important, Catholic schools can speak openly about truth, goodness, and beauty. They teach that every person is created in the image of God, that virtue matters, and that our choices have eternal significance. For many parents, this freedom to form the soul is the main reason to choose a Catholic school vs public school.
Where Public Schools Excel — and Where They Face Limits
Public schools serve most students in the United States, and many do good work. Families often appreciate their excellent teachers, strong arts and sports programs, and wide range of services. In addition, public schools are tuition-free and usually close to home, which can be a major advantage for busy families.
However, public schools must remain religiously neutral. By law, they cannot teach the faith or present a Christian worldview as the foundation for understanding the world. Large class sizes, complex state testing requirements, and frequent policy changes also shape what they are able to do. Even the best public school cannot do what a Catholic school is free to do: teach clearly about who the human person is in light of Christ.
For some families, this value-neutral approach feels sufficient. For others, it leaves an important gap. They want their child’s school to reinforce, not sideline, the faith and virtues they are trying to cultivate at home, especially during the formative years.
Academic Outcomes: What Does the Data Say?
When parents compare a Catholic school vs public school, they often ask, “Will my child be prepared for the future?” This is a fair and important question. National research on Catholic schools is encouraging and points to consistently strong results.
Over many years, Catholic schools have demonstrated strong performance on national assessments, higher high school graduation rates, and higher college enrollment rates than national averages for public schools. These outcomes do not come from test prep alone. Instead, they flow from habits that support lifelong learning: perseverance, responsibility, self-discipline, curiosity, and a sense of purpose.
At Royalmont Academy, teachers build on this national strength with small classes, a classically informed curriculum, and a clear structure for tracking student growth over time. In this way, parents do not have to choose between a strong transcript and a strong soul. The goal, quite intentionally, is both.
Formation, Culture, and the Question of “Who Will My Child Become?”
Every school forms children, whether it intends to or not. Classrooms, hallways, sports teams, and even carline conversations all send messages about what matters. The real question is not, “Will my child be formed?” but rather, “How will my child be formed?”
In a Catholic school, formation is intentional, not accidental. Students learn to treat others as brothers and sisters in Christ. They practice forgiveness, respect, and responsibility in daily routines. They are invited to Mass, confession, Eucharistic adoration, retreats, and daily prayer, and they see teachers and staff striving—imperfectly but sincerely—to live the Gospel.
Royalmont follows this intentional approach through the four dimensions of Regnum Christi education: intellectual, human, spiritual, and apostolic formation. Under this model, your child is learning how to think, how to act, how to pray, and how to serve, all at the same time and in age-appropriate ways.
Leadership and Life Skills: Beyond the Transcript
The world your child will graduate into is fast-moving, complex, and often confusing. Young adults will need more than strong test scores to navigate it well. They will also need courage, integrity, and the ability to lead with humility and clarity.
Some public schools offer leadership clubs or occasional programs, and those can be very helpful. Even so, these opportunities often sit beside the main program rather than within it. Catholic schools, by contrast, can weave leadership into the entire life of the school. They are free to ask, “What does it mean to be a strong Christian leader?” and then build habits, experiences, and expectations around that answer.
Royalmont’s high school is designed as a leadership ecosystem. Students practice communication, collaboration, and problem-solving in the classroom. They experience service, retreats, and apostolic projects that draw them outward. Gradually, they learn that leadership is not about popularity or power; it is about serving God and others with courage and charity.
The Cost Question: Tuition, EdChoice, and Real Value
It is honest and fair to say that tuition can feel like the biggest barrier between a Catholic school vs public school. Public schools are funded through taxes, while Catholic schools rely on tuition and generous donors. At first glance, that difference can seem overwhelming for families.
Fortunately, the picture is changing, especially in Ohio. State programs like EdChoice can significantly reduce the out-of-pocket cost for many families. In some cases, scholarships cover a large portion of tuition, making Catholic education far more accessible than many parents expect. When you factor in the long-term impact on your child’s character, faith, and future, the investment often looks very different.
At Royalmont Academy, we invite families to start with a conversation, not a number on a tuition sheet. Our team can walk you through current scholarship options, including EdChoice, and help you understand what is possible for your family today. As a result, many families discover that Catholic education is within reach.
What About Charter Schools?
Many families now compare Catholic school vs public school and also consider charter schools. Charter schools are public schools that operate under a charter contract. They are tuition-free but must still remain religiously neutral and follow public accountability rules.
Because the charter landscape in Ohio is unique, Royalmont created a separate guide that looks at Catholic schools and charter schools side by side. If you are weighing those two options, you may find this helpful:
Catholic School vs Charter School in Ohio
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Why Families Choose Royalmont Academy
Families who choose Royalmont are usually not asking, “What is the easiest option?” Instead, they ask, “Where will my child become the person God created them to be?” For many, that question leads to a school where faith and reason are united, where teachers know their children by name, and where leadership is formed on purpose.
At Royalmont Academy, we offer:
- A classically informed curriculum rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition
- Small class sizes and personal attention from Preschool through High School
- Intentional human formation, supported by the Boys Town discipline model
- Daily prayer, weekly Mass, regular access to the sacraments, and retreats
- A leadership-focused high school with a hybrid schedule for deeper learning
- A welcoming, joyful community of families seeking the same mission
You do not need a perfect family or a perfect faith life to belong here. Royalmont exists to walk with you at whatever point you find yourself. The community gladly welcomes families who are deeply Catholic, newly returning to the faith, or simply curious about a Catholic school that takes both formation and academics seriously.
How to Discern Your Next Step
As you compare a Catholic school vs public school, it can help to ask a few simple questions. These questions shift the focus from convenience to calling and from short-term to long-term impact.
- Who do I hope my child will be at graduation—not just what will they know?
- Which environment best supports our family’s values and faith?
- Where will my child be seen, known, and appropriately challenged to grow?
- What formation in virtue and leadership will my child receive each year?
No blog post can answer these questions for you, and that is normal. A visit, however, can help them come alive. Walking the halls, seeing students interact, and meeting teachers often makes the decision much clearer.
We invite you to see Royalmont Academy for yourself.
Schedule a tour or learn about our next Open House at RoyalmontAcademy.org. Bring your questions, your hopes, and even your concerns. Our team is here to help you discern the right fit for your child.
Catholic School vs Public School: FAQs
Do Catholic schools follow state academic standards?
Yes. Catholic schools design their curriculum to meet or exceed state standards while also integrating a Catholic worldview. In this way, they prepare students for the same future as their peers, but with a deeper grounding in faith and virtue.
Are Catholic schools only for Catholic families?
No. Many Catholic schools, including Royalmont Academy, welcome families from a variety of Christian traditions and even families who are just beginning to explore faith. All students are invited to participate in the life of the school community and experience the richness of Catholic education.
Is a Catholic school worth the tuition?
Only your family can fully answer that question. Even so, many parents say the long-term value far exceeds the cost. They see the impact on their child’s character, confidence, faith, and relationships. With scholarships and programs like EdChoice, the investment is often more manageable than they first imagined.