If I lived in bad school district, private school would be needed. However a good public school systems have great paths for self motivated individuals with honors/AP classes/Other specialty clubs. In Arlington, students who go onto college are 90%+, with many going to Ivy, Top 20 and Top 50. The way things are going I would not consider Catholic schools for hockey, it is either prep at a steep discount if my son is good enough to earn that or our public if he can make the team.