I go to a private Catholic schools that has quite challenging classes, a plethora of extracurriculars, and an amazing staff, but it is not well known. Despite having the most challenging academics of any other nearby private institutions, few are accepted into top schools from each class (Our Valedictorian last year with a 5.04 last year was rejected from Harvard). I currently have a 4.69GPA, does going to this private school hold me back, or can I still expect to go to a top tier Univeristy?
Top tier or elite schools are always challenging with few applicants actually admitted. With fabulous stats, you too can join the lottery. That leave a very large number of publics and privates to which you might apply. The Jesuit universities are always a great choice. St. Louis University in St. Louis and Regis in Denver are great schools in wonderful cities. If you require basket ball and an elderly sister, try the two Xaviers. Of all the things not to worry about, not getting going into a great school. I had Sisters of Loretto who made Jesuits look sorry. Former SL schools are Webster in St. Louis and Regis in Denver that absorbed my SL college. Catholic high schools, whether private or part of a diocesan school system are meccas for learning and participating in Catholic communities. Enjoy and profit from your high school opportunity.
You may need to work a little harder to make contact with admissions staff at schools you are interested in than you would if your school had better relationships. A “feeder” high school to certain prestigious colleges can relay on its relationships to get its best kids admitted to the elite colleges; if at a less “connected” school then you will need to make more college visits, reach out with questions to admissions officers at those schools, and make sure that they pay attention to your application. In theory, a college would never reject a student because they don’t have a working relationship or history with a high school, but it might make it easy to overlook students from a lesser-known school.