<p>The bottom line for me is that attitudes at many public schools are not very acdademically oriented. And if they are, it is simply more about getting that A and the 5.0, like keylyme and a few others have pointed out. There are, of course, many exemplary public schools out there, no doubt! However, there are simply students out there who are better suited to a private education and the level of excellence there; it is generally far above that of public schools across the nations. Private schools send out more kids with better scores who go to better schools and do better things with their lives. This isn't to say that public schools are incapable of graduating these types of people, but it is simply the fact that private schools do so more often, more frequently. For many academically driven students, prep school is a pristine environment in which they can learn and grow.</p>
<p>@Periwinkle
Research doesn't share that belief either, not for the brightest kids. There is a marked decrease in acheivement among high ability kids when they are placed in a heterogeneous classroom that is well documented. Some call it the "Robin Hood Effect." Unfortunately, most public schools have bought into the idea that mixed ability grouping works best for ALL kids. Either that, or they know about the decrease in acheivement for the bright kids and just don't care. I'd rather not think so harshly about people who I know are good, caring and committed teachers, but sometimes, it's the only conclusion I can come to. It makes me very sad.</p>