We think of Public School like ice cream. You know the stuff that tastes so good, but is made with unpronounceable ingredients, and often has weird chemicals that are totally not needed (really why would you put red 40 in ice cream? Who cares what color it is, the sugar and fat is why folk eat it.) Of course there are good things in icecream, calcium, and umm. Well yeah, that.
Along those lines there are some good things about public school.
Most schools have at least some inspired teachers who have plans for very interesting projects. Many teachers have experience with a variety of different students and some are very willing to go the extra mile to help each child reach the goals set. Humans are genetically inclined for team spirit, schools offer a group, or sense of belonging. These are all good things. Things you can find outside of a school as well. Online forums, support groups, scout groups, clubs, and teams are all available to homeschoolers.
But why knowing all that, would I not send my kid for the early grades, even if I had the best teacher and the best group of kids?
Because of what Public schools can't have. Just like ice cream doesn't have any major vitamins, or much protein, nor any whole grains. Public schools don't have the wonderful opportunities to sleep in, move at your own pace, explore the huge world of learning, make spontaneous changes as needed, individualize programs, and save time among other things.
Public school also has plenty of things I don't wish to pronounce (like bully, or age based segregation) and things that are fine in moderation, but a bit overkill for 6 hours a day. Like structure, structure is not all bad (neither is fat) but there is such a thing as too much, and truthfully - not all fat is created equal.
I will not offer my children ice cream for breakfast, and I will not suggest that a steady diet of it is a good idea. But I do find the occasional class (age based and everything) is helpful.
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