We have found in our area that Catholic schools do not have the same funding nor the staff as in public schools. If your child excels, a Catholic school may not have the systems in place to meet your child's needs. For example at our Public elementary school our children are tested ( with out them realizing) at the end of each term in reading and math. They are then moved accordingly. This allows them to meet new teachers and students in their grade. This is a smooth transition. The nice thing about it too is they are not labeled " advanced class" when they are ahead or "acedemically challenged" when behind. They are moved with their classmates which is important to me that they are placed with students of the same maturity level ( not bumped a grade up or down for those specific classes). At the other end of the spectrum if your child needs tutoring it is readily available during school hours. For example my daughter is a twin and in her earlier years at school she relied on her brother to tell her what " special" that day was, to tell her the homework assignments, and her work showed she wasn't proforming at her full potential. With the recommendation from a teacher to move the twins into separate classes and some tutoring she went from proforming below level to above level within a year.
I also know parents of children that have special needs. The schools work very hard to included services or resources for them and their needs.
We too weighed our option, but after talking to people who already experienced first hand, we made the best decision for us. I'm sure there are many people who will be pro Catholic schools. Do what is best for you by weighing the pros and cons. Just remember you are not stuck with your decision. You can change your mind. My children are always excited when a new child comes to school, it's a chance to make a new friend!