"There are almost no Christian schools which can measure up academically to the better public schools."
While this could be true, try finding one of those better public schools. They're not a dime a dozen. That's why the private Christian schools are so popular. They way outshine the *average* public school.
Come on, anyone interested can find excellent public schools. Even in Chicago I can give you a list of dozens of great elementary schools and at least half a dozen high schools in the City and scores of them in the surrounding suburbs.
You can believe this mythology if you wish but it is only that. One of the reasons our nation became so rich and powerful is because of the public education system. To this day the vast majority of our military comes from that system. You don't achieve the dazzling heights this nation has without a good educational system.