<p>I’m sure that you made the correct decision in this situation.</p>
<p>That being said, anyone reading this should also be aware that in some areas, the public school music department can be vastly better and broader than that found in an exclusive private.</p>
<p>In my town, most of the exclusive schools do not have instrumental music programs, marching bands, etc. The focus is simply more in other areas, with choral music and after-school lessons (more $$$) as the only options.</p>
<p>So, if you have a “music kid”, the “best” school in town may not be a fit for yours.</p>
<p>If you run into a thin stretch at the private, go in and speak to the bursar. It is not uncommon to get a little leeway from time to time.</p>
<p>Private elites don’t always translate into top university admissions because the peer competition is tougher plus the colleges demand better marks from students from private elites. Go in and see the scattergrams when you get a chance.</p>
<p>That said, many private secondary students get an LAC education in high school. They tend to do well in university settings because they hit the ground running. </p>
<p>Congrats on making tough choice–and rolling with the gamble!</p>