There is often the misconception that sending children to private schools limits their exposure to a wide variety of people. I'm not sure where this comes from but when I compare my public education to my daughter's private education she by FAR has mixed with more nationalities than i ever did. In her first year of private school she shared her class of 22 with children from China, India, New Caledonia, Turkey, Japan (3), and there were a few second generation Greeks and Italians. Anglo saxons were certainly not over represented. Three of these students had very limited English skills as well so she had to overcome the language barrier when playing and talking to them. Throughout her schooling there have been many many cultures represented in her classroom, and probably even of a wider representation than at the local primary school (by percentage). Many parents are working expats and send their children to private schools too. In her current year there are students from Switzerland, Mauritius Island and South Africa. So I would like to dispel that myth when applying it to my DD's school. I would be very concerned if the school population was predominantly Anglo here in Melbourne where the norm is multiculturalism. I agree wholeheartedly that diversity is a wonderful aspect of any school and it is for this reason that in an ideal world my DD will be attending an overseas International School in the near future Also in regard to exposure to people from a wide variety of people from different economic backgrounds there is also the misconception that all private schools are populated by wealthy and materialistic people who flaunt their lifestyles. Maybe that culture exists in some private schools but from my experience there are just as many Mr and Mrs Average incomes struggling to pay school fees at my DD's school as their are wealthy snobs sending their kids to the local public school. As in all aspects of society there are materialistic people and not all people who send their kids to private school afford it easily, like us. When I mix with other mums at school events, sure, there are the snobs and I chat with them for a while, suss them out, and if they have too high an opinion of themselves I move on. I don't feel intimidated by them... I know that appearances can be deceptive and all might not be as rosy as they are desperately trying to portray LOL My DD's best friends don't make her feel any less than equal because half the time their parents are struggling too! As in all areas of life, you choose who you mix with and I don't think public schools have the monopoly on decent, genuine and diverse people. Just my opinion