This is a tough one. My husband and I debated this topic for months. We have our 4 year old in a private school and are thinking of sending our 2 year old there when the time comes. The area we are zoned for doesn't have good quality schools so we had to suck it up and pay a ridiculous amount. In the end, I'm glad we did. I feel like the 4 year old is advancing well and the small class size helps.

 Thanks. I know in the long run it will pay off. I'm a big believer in smaller class sizes, too.

I have had my child in a private Pre-K, also for the 2 years before.  The private ones tend to cost more, but in the long run they get more out of it.  Contact your local Kindergarten and see if you can get the cirriculum for that school and then for the pre-k you are looking at, you might be surprised.  My pre-K is doing what the kindgarteners were doing this year plus, so that when my son does go (we are holding him back a year due to maturity issues, he is born in August) we are certain he will be ahead in his class and with boys that really helps with future learning.  My daughter will be starting in Preschool in the fall, she is 2, and will be there until she goes to public school.  My preschool is christian also and I love that they have Chapel, prayer and learn bible stories, it helps to reinforce the Sunday School they do get.

I hope this helps, this is a huge decision for your kids!!  :)

I know this isn't actually a part of your original question, but have you considered homeschooling? We homeschooled our four children for over thirteen years. They are all graduated and have married or are in school or working! It is a wonderful lifestyle, and one I have never regretted for even a moment. I wrote an article regarding just this topic some time ago. I will copy and paste it below in case it might be something you would be interested in. God has a purpose for leading us down these paths, and only in hindsight do His methods clarify our vision.

Why Do We Homeschool?

By Carol Wickwire 

Another question home educators hear is “How do you teach if you don't have a teaching degree?” Our society has been brainwashed into believing that only teachers can teach. Having that degree merely means that you have completed a specific course of study. Who taught your child to walk, talk, eat, draw, say the alphabet, and use good manners? You did. A parent who loves their child; who has made a commitment to their child's education; and who has their child's best interests at heart is the very best teacher of all.

 Thanks for all the wonderful input. We decided to send our son to the Christian private school. I did look at the public schools in our area and while I do feel like he'll get a wonderful education at the private school the religious teaching really swayed us. 

That was a great article on homeschooling and, trust me, if I had it in me I would give it a try. I give teachers a ton of credit b/c I know I couldn't do what they do. My parents have several friends that homeschooled and, like your family, their children have turned out to be wonderful, intelligent, and very socialized adults. I feel like, this is just in my case, that my son learns better in a more formal setting. Maybe it's me...maybe it's him - he just seems to absorb more 2 days a week at preschool then he does with me the other days.

I too am sending my daughter (will be 2 in Sept) to a preschool at our church. I know what you mean, when you find something good that your comfortable with it makes the decisions a lot easier.

 Thanks a bunch everyone. Hopefully I won't agonize over this schooling issue when it's time for my daughter to start pre-k!