The most intelligent and well-adjusted kids I know come from a home-schooled background (either at home or in a type of co-op). Public schools have become a total waste as far as education is concerned. But they are effective as day care.
Yes.
Elementary school is really where the problem is.
The unprepared child leaves the warmth of home for the emotional free-for-all of elementary school.
It helps civilize the children from homes with weak or no parents, but at a cost to the children who do come from homes with strong parents.
I suppose the hope is that the kids from strong homes will “socialize” the kids from weak homes. That’s an awful lot to ask of untrained 8 year olds.