Do you choose your child's primary school based on the distance to your house or based on the popularity of the school?

I tried to choose my son's school based on my views of the school's current students. didn't hurt that it was also a good school.. But we didn't manage to get in. Ended up going into the nearest school in the final phrase. but at least, he gets to enjoy his growing years instead of being rushed off to daily tuition n enrichment classes just to keep up with his peers.