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.