Which would you choose - the 'best' school (at a cost) or a better lifestyle?

[grub17]

to me it sounds like you'v answered your own question. You obviously want them to go to the steiner school and your second response seemed very heavy on jusitfying why. I do this when huge amounts of money are involved... like i need to make it clear to myself that it's 'worth it'.
But personally, to me it sounds like you are actually seeking approval to spend that money and make that sacrifice.
Sorry if i'm wwayy off the mark tho! (unbelievably that does actually happen to me! lol).
At the end of the day, only you can answer your question because what i'm comfortable with may not suit your lifestyle etc I think there's great pros and cons to each solution.
Good luck in making the decision!

[Santosha]

Grub - well, sorta! I was leaning toward A and I guess, because of that, I was expecting answers that affirmed that decision because it makes sense in MY head. More anticipating a certain response than actually seeking it. The reason I put it out here is because I did want to hear opinions on both sides, as I'm well aware that, particularly without actually experiencing these options yet, I have a very narrow view which is strongly colored by my own experience of school.

My second response was purely to explain my current leanings... but like I've said, I've been given a whole lore more material for my inner musings now!

I think for now, I'm going to hedge our bets and just enroll them, with the view to seeing how we're going financially (and aspirationally) in a couple of years. I'll also look into our other local options to see if I can find something that might fit the balance between affordability and ideals.

Div, yep, I've been asked that quite a bit too. But I resent it. Yes, I went to one of 'those' schools. But I was miserable. I guess, because I now live and work largely amongst people who went to the local public school, I am conscious of being seen as a snob or somehow elitist because of my schooling. Might be just an old chip on my shoulder though... I was a bit of a leftie rebel at school and coped with the whole thing by deriding it!

[Beach Mama]

Not sure where you are in Melbourne but might pay to look far and wide for a govt school such as a Montessori based stream (there is one in Mitcham for eg.) or a school that has a more wholistic approach to education, with play and inquiry based focus rather than traditional methods. I am a govt. primary teacher, and I believe in the public system but I also see gaps in the mainstream public system but there are schools that do it super well. We are going to look into other options for secondary, as others mentioned I would rather be home more than working during their primary years but depending where we are living will look at private/independent for secondary.

[Ginger]

i think it also depends on the quality of the individual schools you would choose for option B too. would you be sending them to a government secondary school if you send them public for primary, or what would your options be for year 7?
so much to think about!
we have been tossing and turning over a similar decision (not over a steiner school though) and have finally come up with a solution that we are happy with. its a big decision!