WHY CHILDREN FIDGET: And what we can do about it
The biggest difference that I've observed develop through the years, as an educator/administrator in both public and private schools, is the change in regard for organized and un-organized physical activity. The issues of obesity and classroom attention are far better managed in private schools mainly because the educational standard balances physical activity with in-class instruction far more than what is currently permitted in government schools.
This has become more pronounced as physical education programs and even simple recess have been limited in both budget and in scheduled minutes per day.