Hi all, thought I'd jump in on ths as I love these kinds of topics.

I'm a pre-service teacher (still studying), but don't think I'm biased towards school.

I just wanted to tell you all something I have found to be so true and very important when it comes to deciding whether to go the traditional schooling route, or holistic schooling, or home schooling.

All people have their own learning style... (sounds pretty obvious right... you'd be surprised!).

For simpicity there are four BASIC learning styles...

Sequential: The person who uses the 'sequential' pattern is most comfortable following step-by-step directions and completing assignments from beginning to end without interruption.
Example: Miguel drew a picture of a house exactly as he was told, no less and no more, and took time to doublecheck his work for neatness.

Precise: The person who uses the 'precise' pattern takes detailed notes, asks plenty of questions, and answers questions in a highly specific manner.
Example: Amanda took extra time to draw a picture of a house in great detail, including gutters and shingles on the roof.

Technical: The person who uses the 'technical' seeks to problem-solve, doesn't like to write out answers, and learns best from experience.
Example: Jason enjoyed drawing his house a lot more than writing about it. His drawing included a picket fence he had helped his mom and dad paint.

Confluent: The person who uses the 'confluent' tends to avoid conventional approaches, seeks alternative ways to complete assignments, often starts before hearing all the directions, and improvises.
Example: Ivonne started drawing her house before the teacher finished the instructions. She added a secret entrance on the side of her rainbow-colored fantasy house.

Though most people have a combination, or a mixture, of some or all of the different styles.

Ok, so why is this important to this topic, you ask.

Learning styles are the most essential thing to consider when deciding what kind of schooling you child 'should' have.

Traditional schools - that is, most schools - take the 'teacher is in charge, students sit, be quiet, listen, write, follow directions, obey rules. Traditional schools work VERY well for sequential and precise learners, who like to follow instructions to the T, like writing, take detailed notes, listen carefully etc.
Of course, you can see how a traditional classroom would be really unhelpful for technical and conflunt learners, and these students, instead of being labeled as "different learners" are usually labeled "hyperactive", "disruptive", "learning disabled" etc, because they don't learn in conventional, traditional ways.

Holistic schools (like Montessori, Stiener, community schools, and some independant schools) aim to cater towards all learning styles, though they do usually sway towards technical and confluent learners (with the exception of Montessori schools, which do have a curriculum which cater for all styles).

As for homeschooling, if you know your childs learning style, homeschooling can actually be the very best environment for you child to learn

Its interesting to think about this kind of thing... how society labels "successful" people as those who go on to university, and those people are usually precise and sequential. Thos who do trades are usually seen as the ones who couldn't concentrate in class, and might have been the "trouble makers"... but they're just technical learners. They need the hands on, and the "sit down and listen" approach to school just doesn't work for them. Confluent learners end up being the leaders, problem solvers, entrupreneurs, the ones who find an answer because they aren't stuck to working by the rules!

Just thought this was interesting and relevent... hope it helps someone!