as maria montessori emphasized, kids gravitate toward what they do best. that can change radically depending on developmental factors. give them the choice and a voucher and they'll make it. in my experience, most parents are glad to get them out of the house and if that option exists, if a kid can focus on what they like - whether that's computers, or music, or basketball - they'll thrive. we have to get over the fact that all kids are educable within a one-size-fits all framework. they're not. that applies to the top achievers as well as the bottom end who are completely ineducable and would do better for not being shamed in a system that wasn't engineered for them.