<p>Most families looking at their pre-teens (the age at which one would normally apply to an elite HS) place greater weight on the influence of home environment versus that of school and peers. At this age, most parents are focused on teaching good values at home.</p>
<p>By late adolescence that has turned around, and peers and the school environment become the predominating influence. Thus the impulse to get one’s kid into “the best” college where s/he will thrive.</p>