Private school rankings are splashed across the headlines, and parents everywhere are left asking: Am I failing my child if I stay public? With fees soaring above $45,000 a year, the pressure is real — but what does the research actually say? In this episode, Justin and Kylie cut through the marketing hype to reveal what truly matters for your child’s learning and wellbeing — and why “better” doesn’t always mean what you think.

KEY POINTS

The truth about test scores
What parents are really buying with high fees
Why teachers matter more than facilities or class size
The “proximity principle”: belonging, friendships, and community trump prestige
How investing school fees differently could transform your child’s future

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
“You can’t buy inspiration. It’s not about school fees — it’s about the teacher who lights up your child’s curiosity.”

RESOURCES

Research on school belonging (Kelly & Allen, University of Melbourne)
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/school-life/singlesex-schools-as-australias-top-100-private-schools-named/news-story/78fc2ed6b3807cbf6f44035d768c5c87
Harvard economist Raj Chetty’s study on teacher impact

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$45K a Year?! Are Private Schools Really Worth It?