When public health expert Tyler VanderWeele set out to study the long-term effects of four school categories—public, private, religious, and homeschool—on the well-being of adolescents, he expected to see major differences between the various academic settings.

Instead, the study showed only marginal differences in a few areas when it compared public, religious, and private schools. Children who attended religious schools were slightly more likely than their public school peers to register to vote, for example.

Comparisons to homeschooled students revealed the greatest variances. Children who were homeschooled were more likely to volunteer and forgive others. On the downside, they were noticeably less likely to attain a college degree.

Homeschooled students stood out in another way, too. They were far more likely to attend religious services as young adults. But students who attended religious schools weren’t much more likely to go to church than their private or public school counterparts.

The real difference-maker when it came to adult church attendance wasn’t a background in religious schooling. Instead, it was attending religious services regularly in childhood.

Religious schooling fits best for certain families. Homeschooling is the name of the game for some. Still others will opt for private school and others for public. Each of these choices can be honoring to God and positive for our children.

We are free to choose the best option for our situation. And when we get overwhelmed by all of the choices and what-ifs, we can take a look at the data that reminds us: a loving church family is far more likely to nurture our children toward long-term flourishing than a certain style of schooling.