This paper explores whether or not an effort to centralize the administration of several metropolitan Catholic high schools for the purpose of economy of resources would produce an unanticipated consequence that would severely offset any savings. The research suggests that Catholic parents perceive a difference among these schools in terms of their educational and social environments and make choices accordingly. If the centralization decreases the differences among these schools, will Catholic parents continue to select one or another of these schools for their children? The answer has a direct bearing on the financial crisis facing Catholic schools in the nation. (Author)