re: St Catherine vs St Francis Xavier in Metry

I don't have an issue with block scheduling in high school but with elementary students still learning/ developing the basic skills it is a horrible idea. I do believe their are some positives to block scheduling especially for advance students but for most the everyday repetition is still necessary for the development of skills.

Plus in many cases teachers at that level have a hard time filling that block time efficiently and will turn into a 30min reading/ daydream session near the end of the semesters.

Go to both schools and spend some time. Go to church on Sunday, even if you are not a church goer. Go to the fair, or crawfish cook off or whatever. See the level of effort and participation. It's not just a school, it's a community. A community that will shape your entire family for 7-8 years. You aren't just putting your kid in a building.

Lots of people are using this question to boast, insult, validate, etc. based on their experiences. Take it with a grain of salt. A few grains. Maybe a little stamp-sized bag they throw in with fries. The same school can change pretty drastically over the course of a few years. Different principals, teachers, administrators, priests, parental leadership, etc. can change a culture for better or worse. And all kids are not the same. A great school for one kid might be terrible for another. Class size, peers, expectations, teaching methods. The point is it's a personal choice with lots of variables and moving pieces.

Check out the environment. Get both schools scores on standardized tests. One will rise to the top. If not, you may be relieved to find you don't think either will be a wrong choice.

Stay thirsty, my friend.