Column Advises Parents Keep Child In Public School

On March 30, 2026, the Your Mileage May Vary advice column advised a parent weighing public versus private elementary schools, citing longitudinal studies by Pianta and Ansari and analysis showing private-school test advantages largely disappear after controlling for family background. The column also cited research by Suniya Luthar and the National Academies on elevated mental-health risks in high-achieving schools. It recommends prioritizing child wellbeing and community benefits.