personally, i think that the values that they instill at private/catholic schools are better. Students are taught to take pride in their school, their work, their appearence etc, which are valuable after school. Also, the sense of social justice is really good. I don't think that there is anything wrong with public schools, and i know that some of them out-perform private schools, but some have just earnt themselves a bad reputation. I went to a catholic primary school and now I go to a Catholic high school. Ultimately, i think the only people who can truely comment are those who have experienced public and private.
There is a double standard that exists in this comment, as highlighted above.
I don't think this is necessarily true. These values etc, especially in catholic schools are by definition, denominational. They are "catholic" values. When you go to a public school, you would generally get the whole spectrum of what is present in society, and as a result, you are exposed to what society is like. You get "secular values".
Relatively speaking, you aren't quite as sheltered. People who attend public schools come from all sorts of socio-economic backgrounds, different denominations, different creed, race etc.
In this regard, I feel ardently about public education. I think that, people are misinformed in saying their children should go to a private school rather than the local public, because that's where they'll learn invaluable life schools and grow up to be refined etc.
If you're going to go to a private school, attain a scholarship offer. Otherwise, attempt to gain entrance into your local selective high school. That's one environment, I will guarantee money cannot buy.