I dont know how you survived 13 years of a Catholic education and came out of it sane. Two years, and 3 before that with a Catholic woman teaching, was like a prison camp for me. Every school after that was freedom, and they were strict. But no one was crazy.
In the 13 years, I encountered a few of the crazies but they were in the minority. I can’t say I regret going to catholic school but, also, there wasn’t an option B. All my siblings and cousins went to catholic school. It was just the way it was. I never questioned it because it never bothered me - I was fine there.
My HS was a college prep school and because of the distance from our home, I asked if I could go to the closer HS that my sister and brother (twins) went to. My parents believed I was in the right school. That was that.
Was it strict on the ridiculous side, (not studies but dumb rules that had no redeeming value) yeah, but I think it prepared for the liberals of the world. ;) So, all in all, I have no regret going to catholic school and believe that I got an excellent education. You had something to compare it you and I didn’t. It’s all I knew. My children went to catholic school, also. ;)