Kudos.
Private school is still something I'm strongly considering for my son. I was home schooled until the 5th grade, when I went into private school. I went to one year of high school in private school, then went to a public high school in a (very) rich suburb. After that, I went to high school in an innner city school for a year, then dropped out.
While I thought it sucked at the time, I wouldn't trade the experience of being in all those environments for the world. My best times in life were 7th and 8th grade in the private school, simply because it was a structured environment that allowed you to excel in what you were good at, while not babysitting you so much. Definitely good times to look back on, and has a large part to do with the natural interest in learning I picked up (had it before that, but they didn't squash it like some public school environments do).
I didn't go to the "rich" private schools - yes, obviously some folks were pretty well off, but in general there was less income there than in the rich suburbs public school.
In general?
1. Private school was more or less on par with the "advanced" classes in the suburban public school. Advanced classes in the private school were just a bit harder, but truly it was damned near on par educational wise. Social wise, the environments were quite a bit different though. I would say all in all the public school would set you up for life better socially if you have strong parental influence and involvement, but you could easily fall into some "bad crowds" and habits if not. The private school wasn't terrible socially, and a bit more safeguarded.
2. The inner city public schools were a joke. Period. 11th grade 'advanced' classes there were on par with crap we were learning in 7th and 8th grade private school. No one was there to learn, teachers couldn't do shit, etc. Just in general a terrible environment. I feel REAL bad for inner city school teachers in general - I saw some trying their hearts out, but simply were not given any tools to succeed. The few kids there actually wanting to learn quickly learn not to, as it will simply end up in constant ridicule. My son will NEVER be going to schools like that, it truly sickened me and let to me dropping out to simply take the GED test as I absolutely believe I was getting stupider every minute I stayed in that environment.
That said, the GED test is an absolute joke as well. I could have trivially passed it in 8th grade, without even breaking a sweat. I'm also not "smart", anyone in my class could have aced it as well.
given my experiences... I feel that the quality of education is far more dependent on the level and numbers of parents involved in the school, than if the school is actually private or public. If the majority of kids going to the school are motivated at home to learn and do well, then the teachers will actually be able to step up and do their jobs. Truly there are some amazing educators in this country, but most have been simply relegated to glorified babysitters.
Private school in my mind more or less removes the roll of the dice for how good a school is. It definitely is appealing as a parent, I can tell you that.
-Phil