If money is an issue, go to LMC for free education for six years. But be prepared no guarantee to get into LMC Secondary unless your kid is the top?percent ranking. Then do the school hunting all over again six years later.
If you think tuition is manageable with SM, why not go with this school to worry nothing but enjoy the "thru-train". Thus, u have more time to enjoy quality family life.
I don't think SM syllabus is any less than LMC's; as a matter of fact, I think SM's better with more English (no need to get lost when go to an Eng Sec school later). This is my opinion only based on my personal encounter to LMC students - nothing special about them. The name is just too big than reality.