wowzers, didn't think that I would get that many responses to my question..

Don't anyone get me wrong, whilst my son was in my care I had him in a private high school but it just didn't cost as much as XH is paying for DD's $17K per year..it was paid for with money I actually had. I think my point in the post was not really private against public schooling it was more would you spent the money that you don't have sitting in your savings account on educational costs IYGWIM, ummm, having a bit of a blank trying to put my point to paper/pc....
The only secondary experience with public schooling is the one I got and cripes, that was years ago so I am sure it has changed over the years. I am however, very happy too with the private system. Like Bath said, the pastoral care and sporting programs are excellent.

Hoping I make some sense here