<p>Would just like to add, that, while two of my kids went to “top colleges,” the third is now at community college (after a year at an artsy LAC) and is very happy. So the differences between kids continue. The third child is extremely independent and I think original: she does a performing art, works, and does CC, and lives at home. She has a great life. CC is wonderful for her, and she produces great ideas and is helpful to others. Whatever works. </p>
<p>I do think that some kids may very well need the opportunities of a quality schools, for stimulation, adult connections and for peers. But if those things are available in other ways, learning is possible outside of school that is sufficient to make up for the school’s inadequacies, and, again, without the burnout involved in meeting external academic pressures like homework, grade competition etc. </p>
<p>Maybe these things jump generations. I went to a high pressure school, did really well, got into the schools “they” wanted me to, then said see you later and headed for the mountains to do “poverty work.” I never did finish. All that high school work was assigned for the wrong reasons. So my experience made me vow to do things differently with my kids.</p>
<p>If they have the money, my kids will probably choose a high stress private for their own!</p>