To this ends what DH and I want for our children via their formal education:

Relationships with teachers and students that are based on the values of respect, encouragement and community spirit. Teachers that acknowledge that they are co-learners too and not unquestionable over-layers of knowledge. A learning environment that supports each individual childs' level of development and incorporates their interests into the curriculum not a pre-destined education-board chosen one. Eg. At the start of term the children are consulted about topics that are of interest to THEM and then a program tailored in that direction. NOT: "Ok kids this term we are going to talk about dinosaurs!" Class sighs and gets on with it despite the fact that nearly all the kids are really into the urban farm animals they all saw over the holidays. (And this is not as hard as you would think... I have regularly witnessed classes of children have circle discussions about the Topic of the Term... MUCH easier than asking the BB community about their preferences on a forum change! LOL)

If you show a child the courtesy of allowing them to guide the direction of their own learning this really engages them in the learning process. DH and I want our children to simply LOVE learning new skills and building on the ones they have. We dread the day that they feel that they are just going through the motions to please the teacher like we did at school.
Sounds much more like a Montessori/Steiner school approach than any of the so-called exclusive private schools we've visited for DD. Or home schooling. LOL The private schools were all about top results, structured learning and being able to report xx% above a 95 on their HSC (they put themselves in direct competition with selective schools, and I'm not a fan of selective schooling at all). I heard a lot more 'our girls' and 'old girls' than circle discussions.

There is one notable exception to what I've said before. If you want to be a teacher at an exclusive private school, then the private school you went to is definitely a bonus and an important factor.