A friend of mine has a friend who teaches at an elite private school. At the school, they start kids on foreign languages in kindergarden, when kids are most able to easily pick up a foreign language. The teacher also notes that mastering foreign languages early provides educational benefits in other areas.
My friend asked her why she thought the same thing wasn't done in public schools. Her reply was "One does not give servants the keys to the master's bedchamber"
Not all public schools offer a progressive, touchy feely, cooperative, multi-cultural-laden curriculum. Parents all over the country are starting charters and private schools based on the age-old Trivium -- classical education.
http://www.ridgeviewclassical.com/