I drive my kids to a choice program in the public schools. So it's a little like private in that it's like a mini-charter, but we only have to pay $200/yr for 3 kids instead of $30k (I've got 3 kids, I don't know of any privates around here that are less than 10k a year once you get out of kindy). I never imagined I would do that--my initial plan was to homeschool (I still have tons of resources that I'd gotten over the years in order to be ready to meet state requirements at 1st grade..). But wow, when I heard about this program I knew it would be a great fit, and it is. Driving 15-20 minutes (depending on traffic) is so worth it. If it wasn't a good fit, it wouldn't be.
A lot can change in 4 or 5 years--including school quality, and you discovering things about your kid's learning style. You know how much car time you and your child can deal with (though again, that will change over time possibly, either up or down). I'd advise driving that route during the exact time of day you'd need to to get an idea (there's often extra traffic around the school during school commute times that can add up to 10 minutes extra or more, depending on how well the traffic flow is for dropoff/parking)--but it probably makes more sense to do it closer to the time (esp. if there is any chance of new developments going in around the school and/or a lot of foreclosure instability in the area--even with a private school, folks are going to be going to work and such so patterns might change over time).
But no one else is going to be able to answer "will it be worth it to YOU," since they aren't you! I love my kids' program. I might be willing to drive 30 minutes (not including extra traffic) but probably not more than that, since I HATE driving and my kids like to do after school activities (meaning we have to be able to get to where they are in a timely manner--might not be possible depending on where they are, if it takes me 45 minutes to get home or to the activities). Did I mention that I thought that I would not allow my children to sign up for any after school activities in early elementary because I wans't going to be one of "those people" who "overscheduled" their "poor kids"?
A lot can change in 4 or 5 years--including school quality, and you discovering things about your kid's learning style. You know how much car time you and your child can deal with (though again, that will change over time possibly, either up or down). I'd advise driving that route during the exact time of day you'd need to to get an idea (there's often extra traffic around the school during school commute times that can add up to 10 minutes extra or more, depending on how well the traffic flow is for dropoff/parking)--but it probably makes more sense to do it closer to the time (esp. if there is any chance of new developments going in around the school and/or a lot of foreclosure instability in the area--even with a private school, folks are going to be going to work and such so patterns might change over time).
But no one else is going to be able to answer "will it be worth it to YOU," since they aren't you! I love my kids' program. I might be willing to drive 30 minutes (not including extra traffic) but probably not more than that, since I HATE driving and my kids like to do after school activities (meaning we have to be able to get to where they are in a timely manner--might not be possible depending on where they are, if it takes me 45 minutes to get home or to the activities). Did I mention that I thought that I would not allow my children to sign up for any after school activities in early elementary because I wans't going to be one of "those people" who "overscheduled" their "poor kids"?
Follow Mothering