I don’t know if they would count his income, thats something to talk to the school about. Along with financial aid and payment plans. All this would vary among the schools.

Private school should keep your son that way, there will be discipline, and a good amount of work to get him busy and away from trouble. He will learn good study habits, and not be kept down academically by having dumb kids in his class.

I believe this is more of a personal choice, and you should ask your son for his opinion. Generally, if the private school starts in grade 9 go then but if it starts in 8 and goes to 12 start him then. I don’t know about the schools in your area, but they are generally without girls, and he may want to be with them another year to help him socially.

You may also want to factor in extras. If he’s at a private school, for instance, his opportunities for playing in a marching band or participating in any higher quality sports will be limited. You may care; you may not. It’s just something to consider (and beware, some private schools promise far more in their sales pitch than they can really deliver).

It’s understandable to want to protect your quiet, sweet son. But it probably shouldn’t be your only motivator– he could just as easily find himself battling bullies and social abuse at a private school (and in a small private school setting, there is nowhere to escape to). If your concerns are that he may get left in the dust academically because he’s too quiet, you might want to think about supplementing public school with private tutoring like Sylvan.

This is hard stuff to decide. Good luck to you.