If your child is finishing his or her middle school years soon, you are probably focused on what you want for his or her high school education. Maybe you have been thinking about enrolling your teenager in a Christ-based high school. Whether you are Catholic or not, have you thought about enrolling your child in a Catholic high school? Here are some things to consider as you make this very important decision about your child's education.

At a Catholic high school, your child will be taught the same values that you more than likely teach at home. Here are some of the things your child can expect.

• No swearing or disrespectful language will be allowed. 
• There will be an honor-based policy.
• The Ten Commandments will be taught as the contemporary way to live.
• Bullying will not be tolerated in any form.
• Special respect will be shown to authority figures. 
• There are good consequences for good behavior and bad consequences for poor behavior.
• In a few words, Treat others as you would have them treat you is the school's policy.

Aren't those policies very similar to the ones you want your child to follow at home and throughout his or her life?

There are so many great opportunities awaiting your child at the Catholic high school you select. 

• Smaller classrooms will encourage more participation for each student.
• One-on-one tutoring might be more easily arranged than in a large public school setting.
• If you have an especially intelligent child, that will be recognized by the extra work he or she is given.
• Extra-curricular sports like basketball, football and volleyball will more than likely be offered.
• Not only sports activities, but things like Latin club and chess club may be offered to your child.
• College preparation will be emphasized throughout the high school years.

As your child is taking the accredited classes in Catholic high school, there will also be a religious slant to their classes. For example, as your child studies geography, the routes that Christ and the Twelve Disciples followed in the New Testament will probably be pointed out. As he or she studies history, it might be pointed out that wars in what is now called The Holy Land were similarly fought in Bible days. 

Of course, there will be a big opportunity for parental involvement at the Catholic school your child might be attending. Whether it's volunteering in the school library or whether it's helping in the concession stands during games, you will have the chance to meet other parents who might have the same values you do.