Why sending your kids to public school shouldn't be your plan B

As a mother of three raising my family in a relatively affluent part of Sydney, I've long been privy to that all-too-familiar parent chat: “Where are you sending your kids to school?”

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It’s a hot topic for discussion amongst parents at coffee catch-ups or blurted out at Saturday sport. But now that my eldest is in Year 5, the conversation has hit a whole new level. I can’t seem to escape the well-meaning reminders that now’s the time to book the tours and get the names down. The pressure is real and relentless.

For our family, though, the decision is more layered. My daughter is neurodiverse, and her journey through primary school has included navigating the challenges of social dynamics and, at times, bullying. 

These are not uncommon hurdles, and they’ve only reinforced my belief in the value and potential of our public education system.

Here’s the thing: public schools have long been looked down upon by many who opt for private, Catholic, or independent schooling. But through my own lived experience, and a lot of soul-searching, I’ve come to a firm conclusion: public schools are not only equal to their private counterparts in many ways, they’re superior in others.

Let’s talk about why.

Public vs private: The real story on educational outcomes

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There’s a common misconception that private equals better. Better grades, better teachers, better opportunities. But the research tells a more nuanced story.

Multiple studies, including findings from the Australian Council for Educational Research, show that when socio-economic factors are considered, the academic performance of students in public schools is on par with that of students in private ones. In more affluent suburbs, where public schools often attract experienced staff and high levels of community involvement, outcomes are often indistinguishable.

So, if the academic results are largely the same, what are parents actually paying for? The truth is, it’s often about improved facilities, prestige, and access to old-school networks – things that speak more to privilege than pedagogy.

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A brief history of public education and where it went sideways

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Once upon a time, sending your child to the local school was the norm. It was a given. People didn’t question it. School communities were tight-knit, and there was pride in your local public school.

That all started to shift around the early 2000s, following significant policy changes under the Howard Government. 

Legislation that deregulated private schooling led to a boom in independent schools, and along with it, the rise of the ‘education marketplace.’ Parents were now shoppers, comparing glossy brochures and debating whether to send their kids to co-ed, single-sex, or faith-based schools.

School choice became more about perception than actual outcomes. And unfortunately, despite offering a robust and comprehensive education, public schools were left behind in the narrative.

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The hidden strengths of public education

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Public schools are often larger and more connected, which gives students access to a much broader network of opportunities. 

My daughter, for example, will be performing at both the Sydney Town Hall and the Sydney Opera House this year, thanks to music and arts programs run across NSW public schools. These kinds of enriching experiences aren’t often available in smaller private or faith-based schools.

Then there’s sport, debating, STEM programs, and leadership initiatives – all scaled across a vast network of students and resources. Public education is also about exposing children to diversity in all its forms – ethnic, economic, and neurological. It’s a true cross-section of society which isn’t always the case in the privileged world of private and independent schools.

Public schools and neurodiverse learners

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Private schools don’t have to accept every child. Many cap enrolments for students with additional needs or decide not to accept them at all. Even when they do, neurodiverse kids may be ‘othered’, or simply not receive the tailored support they need.

Public schools, on the other hand, are legally required to provide learning support. They often have dedicated learning support officers, access to psychologists, and robust systems in place to accommodate diverse learners. If your child has a diagnosed learning disability, the school is provided with additional funding to support them. And yes… I know that large private schools are known for their ‘pastoral care’ and in many cases can offer the same support services, however your child may feel like an outsider as a neurodiverse learner in a strict academic environment.

In our experience, public schools have been inclusive and welcoming. My daughter isn’t the ‘odd one out’. She’s simply one of many unique kids, supported to learn in the way that suits her best. 

Let’s talk about funding

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One of the most pressing issues in Australian education right now is the inequity in school funding. Even though public schools educate around two-thirds of all Australian students, they are consistently underfunded.

A recent report from the Australian Education Union found that government funding for private schools has grown 22% faster than for public schools over the last decade. The result? Private schools are now funded above their recommended Schooling Resource Standard (SRS), while public schools remain thousands of dollars below it, per student.

This is not just a budget issue. It’s a social justice issue. If we truly believe in equity and the idea that every child deserves a high-quality education, we must redirect resources and support to where they’re most needed – our public schools.

Final thoughts

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When we invest in public education, we invest in a more equitable, more empathetic, more connected future. We expose our children to people who are different from them. We show them the real world, in all its beautiful complexity.

At the same time, it is nice for parents to have the option to choose if their local school isn’t suiting for whatever reason – whether that’s due to learning needs, social fit, or simply gut feeling. If you choose private education for your child, I’m not saying that your choice is wrong… I’m simply saying that as parents we should also feel confident and assured in our choice of public school as a valid one. As a society, we shouldn’t be made to feel like we’re letting our kids down by choosing to send them to the local public primary or high school.

Private schooling, by contrast, too often perpetuates cycles of privilege. It insulates children from the diversity that exists outside their postcode. It sends the message – intentionally or not – that opportunity can be bought, and that excellence is tied to exclusivity.

But I believe we can do better. I believe we must do better.

So when I say I’m choosing public education, I’m not just making a decision for my daughter. I’m making a statement about the kind of society I want her to grow up in – one that values inclusion, equity, and shared opportunity.

This might be the hill I die on, but I’ll do it waving the banner for public schools with pride.