i feel compelled to admit, for most of my education, i attended a private school. i've been in (various) all girls' schools since year 7. but i've done some public schooling in junior school and half a year in year 8. i find that whilst the environment may not be ideal, you're still basically free (relatively) to be yourself and do your thing. that is different to bootcamp and jail, where you are denied your individual identity (basically.)