I'd argue that active parenting makes more of a difference. We know what our kid needs to know, and we supplement his education with it. We'd do that at any school. His mental and emotional health are more of a concern to me when it comes to school choice. In that sense, rural has been better.  

 Thank you so much for chiming in. I appreciate your opinion and experience. 

 Sure, anytime. You pose a super-complex question there. Unpacking it fully would smoke a keyboard LOL. 

 And thanks for the zap! Let me page @yarnlady here, also. Mom POV hits a little different.