Although I am homeschooling my daughter, her big brother has been in the public school system since 5th grade (he's now completing his junior year). For him public school was a good choice because he could participate in the gifted program, take advanced classes and be involved in band and choir on a daily basis. Also, it was at public junior high that we heard about the Center for Talented Youth, so he was able to take the SAT before he was 13 and as a result qualify for the various nationwide gifted programs including several very generous scholarships for high school enrichment programs to Stanford, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, Interlochen and other institutions. So in a way going to public school opened the door of opportunity for him to develop his interests and gain focus on his dreams. Regular classes and busywork are kind of boring to him, but having access to music and accelerated programs have made it worthwhile more or less. It also made him rethink his values and with support from a strong youth group at church, he still has a strong faith...