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.
Way too broad a brush LCS! All of America is not a mess.