I think private school is more likely to foster a love of school. Love of learning is a separate issues.

I went to a high achieving public school out of state. I felt like I had a great education and very much enjoyed the experience academically as well as socially. I also have a home environment that focused on the importance of education. My DH went to a public school out of state (different state than mine) that had very low support from the community and wasn't particularly challenging. He was always an overachiever, his family had a strong focus on education and they sought out ways to encourage his interests. My DS was in a MCPS public school for the majority of his elementary school years. He loved the social aspect of school and learned to read and write but there was no passion about learning in the classroom - no topics of interest that pushed him or made him interested in learning more. At home we are vested in creating an interesting in learning. We moved him to a private school and I have seen such a change in both his interest and his willingness to work harder because he "loves learning". I think in large part its the topics, the manner they go into learning about them (incorporating the lesson in everything from math, science to art and music). I finally feel like rather than the boring repetition of worksheets and teaching to the test the school can take the extra time and really get into a subject or topic. So far I would say the private school is doing a better job of installing a love of learning. We are only at the very beginning of the education game - many years left for changes and adjustments but I'm hoping we continue to see such wonderful experiences for our son in middle school.

ITA that personality, family, and school environment all influence whether a child develops (and sustains) a love of learning.

My parents sent us to private even though most would say we couldn't have afforded it. (I was embarrassed to have friends over because the bedroom, kitchen, and living room were all one room, for instance, which isn't that common in this country.)

It was a wonderful gift. I loved school. I loved my teachers. I was eager to excel. The small class size and close relationships worked well for my personality and (traumatic) early life experiences because it was like a caring family.

I don't expect all private schools are like that, and I'm not sure all public schools aren't.

I would also respond that, when it comes to love of learning in particular, I am not exactly sure that going to private school nourished that while I was there. I love learning NOW, and am curious, but as a child I was very concerned with getting things right and getting good grades and succeeding in school-- all valid goals, but contrary to the spirit of nourishing true love of learning, in my opinion. This is partially a matter of personality, but also a matter of the ways teachers praise children and how schools administer grades and testing, which aren't necessarily avoided by sending a child to private school.