Well, there are extreme examples of incidents that happen, certainly, but most schools generally represent the community they are in, and I would propose that most are not so far gone that it would be a cruel experiment to send your kids there... It isn't THAT bad. The High School Penny and I went to was a good school then, so I think it probably still is now. (It hasn't been that long has it Penny?)
I think you are brain-washed by your culture! ;-)
You know that Mac commercial where the woman comes running in and tosses that hammer into the big screen, shattering what everyone is watching? Well, that's what I see myself as doing. I'm shattering what is considered normal, at least where my kids are concerned. Other people are bound to notice and I already know there will be variable reactions. Some are intrigued, some intimidated, some just angry. I don't care...I'm just going to keep doing what I'm doing.
My high school, which was located in the extreme northern NYC suburbs (60 miles to Times Square), was excellent then, I do not think it is so good now. I got the chance to study Latin, do science projects, take 2 1/2 years of Algebra, and go to 'gifted' student seminars. (Hey, I got to read Thucydides 'The Melian Dialogue' from The Peloppenesian War, taught me all I ever needed to know about Realpolitik). The languages were disappearing when my brother attended, 4 years later. I believe that in many states, and most center cities, sending your kids to public schools, except for extremely poor working parents, should be treated as child abuse.