Private school - tell me about it!

[Freya]

So we've recently moved to Nth Qld. Ds1 is starting Prep next year (first year of primary school though not compulsory).

Ive been keen to put the boys in private school from day 1 but DH is only keen to do it from the start of highschool. We both went to public schools for our schooling; he didnt have a problem with it (but didnt excel at all) whereas I wished my parents had sent me to private school but managed to do ok.

I enrolled Ds1 in our zoned public school a few weeks back. Its a nice enough school but where I live, all the negative things I hear in regards to schooling is only about public schools (and they are all different degree's of shoddy). The main thing that puts me off this zoned public school is the size, its 1200 students and growing. There are over 158 prep kids next year which means 6 prep classes. I worry that it will become possible that Ds1 will get 'lost' in the system. I went to a small school (500 students all up) from grade 3-6 and I think this contributes to my feelings, I loved my primary school and my best schooling memories are of being there.

I was originally going to enrol him in a new catholic school that opened up here this year but I decided not to as DH did not want to 'waste' that kind of money on primary school and it was a bit of a drive from our house. So I didnt bother.

Fast forward to now. Ive been stewing on it for awhile, I just dont feel comfortable at the idea of them going to public school. I enquired with the above mentioned private school today about possibly getting him in there but they have a mile long waitlist. Then I was driving Ds1 to karate when I remembered the small catholic school near their thursday daycare centre so I detoured and stopped to enquire about prep. They offered me an interview for tomorrow right there on the spot! Its a small catholic school of 400 students, they only have 2-3 prep classes at any one time. Its not a new school (founded in 1996) but I liked the vibe I got. Its about a 10min drive from home (less on a good day). The fee's arent too expensive ($2200 a year for one child, if all 3 or 4 attend it would be around $3700 a year, everything included!) and we can afford to pay them without financially crippling ourselves. I also like the idea of them being exposed to religious influenced education. Dh and I were both raised christian (myself catholic him lutheran), we believe in God but dont attend church at this point in time.

Dh is overseas and last time I mentioned it he really wasnt keen on the idea but said to wait and see if the first school had a spot for him. So now Ive got this interview tomorrow and I desperately want to accept if they offer him a place.

So, if your kids are in private school OR you yourself attended private schooling from primary school onwards; tell me the pro's and con's! Did you like it? Do you feel it contributed to get you where you are today? Did it influence you to go onto university? Did you choose to put your children in private schooling stemming from your own experience?

Do you think I should go with my instinct and send him there?

Thanks.