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Your example doesn't knock down anything; the word "only" was used in a statistical sense, not a deterministic one. Whatever the benefits of expensive private schools, they are experienced by a much higher proportion of the affluent than the non-affluent.
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<p>Sure, because the wealthy enjoy a disproportionate amount of * all * benefits in life. Just like people who are born beautiful have advantages over people who are ugly. People who are tall and athletic have advantages over people who are short and fat. </p>
<p>Like it or not, life is not fair. That's life. Some people have advantages that others don't have. Should we bang our heads against the wall about it? At least in the case of prep schools, you can get in if you're not rich, if you're willing to work hard, like my brother did. But if you're born short, what are you going to do about it?</p>