thanks for all your replies.
we have the option of two local public schools (both are about 3 minutes drive from each other). one has 205 students and the other has 12.
tbh, i had never even considered putting ds in the small one- mainly for lots of the social reasons mentioned. i was actually completely shocked to find out yesterday that two mums that i know are putting their kids there (so the population will go up to 16!) lol
i listened to their reasons, and while they made some good points, i was still really struggling to understand their decision.
i was considering maybe doing a tour there but I'm not going to bother. I'm going to go check out the big one and then go from there.
thanks for all your thoughts everyone!!