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