public v. private

We (my husband and I) are currently debating whether or not to send our

five year old to a public or private school for kindergarten in the
fall. We live in a big city and aren't really sure some of the
characteristics to look for in a successful school. My side of the
argument is that public schools are beginning to fail us (society)
because of all the complex issues that they face these days. However,
my husband disagrees and thinks that those issues will not affect our
child's education. So in general, are public schools failing parents,
students, and society or have I become to cynical since I became a
parent?