We chose based on cost (public) and distance (5 min walk). I'm yet to meet the teachers and principal or see inside the classroom but I'm hoping when I do in a few weeks time, I will be happy with our choice. At the moment, it's actually my number 2 choice if not for the cost & distance factor.
I looked at several schools. It was quite easy to count some out. Some just felt wrong immediately based on their website! However, my perfect choice met so many of my requirements but was not the one we ened up choosing. I'm really stressing about whether we've made the right choice. The things I considered were:
Feel of the school and vibe from teachers and students
Opportunities outside basic learning such as sport, music, drama
Excellent and well maintained buildings and facilities
Anti-bullying policy with results
Respect and tolerance for others
Results on myschools website
LOTE - a nice to have but not a necessity
and as mentioned above - cost and distance. The school we have chosen ticks boxes for cost, distance & LOTE and I'm yet to see on the others. Fingers crossed for more ticks or I will have to have a very serious discussion with DH & do some serious budgeting if I'm not already too late.
Good luck. It is a tough decision. I think it would be easier if there was only one option.
ETA: Another serious consideration for me is the local public high school. I went there in yr 11 & 12. It was horrible. My kids will not be going there. Short of moving, we will be going private for high school. The school I LOVE, has prep to y12 and I love that idea of consistency. It's something I didn't have (we moved every 3-4 years and changed schools along with it). My concern is that with the high population growth in the area, if we don't get in early, we might not be accepted for high school. The school chooses it's students based on - sibling or parent enrolment (we don't have), involvement in attached church (we don't go), past results (DS is not showing signs of being a high academic achiever) before other considerations.
Community and therefore locality was important to us. That the girls would be going to school with those kids who they would also be associating with in the community. We had picked the nearest kinder, which happened to have a good connection to the school. Most of the mums I deal with now (some are now friends) are from the kinder and DD1's closest friends are also from the kinder.
For me, academics mean nothing without a good emotional grounding and support. The friendships for DD1 are important to me, that she is happy to go to school so she can learn. Also the support I now get from the wider community is important to our family (no extended family near by).
I realise that there are going to be good years and bad years. Also that I would not really know that a school is any good until we use it. So I have taken the attitude give the school a go and if it does not work out, then look elsewhere.
Oh, on a petty side, parking. Go past the school at pick up time. Some are pure hell. A stressful drop off and pick up, can make for one stressed family
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