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The root of the trouble is that like a platoon marching at the speed of its slowest soldier,

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I dated a man who was a graduate of the Stuyvesant school in N.Y. It was a dreadful experience for him.

He was disgusted to death with the eternal competition and intensive speed with which new work was introduced. Along with this was the adulation he received from his parents, relatives, family friends, and neighbors that added to the pressure of expectations. Hey! He had a high IQ, and society demanded "production" from this IQ.

The amount on time required for school work consumed his life, and left no time for personal creativity. He was kid on a 4 year treadmill, and felt like a gerbil on an forced exercise wheel.

So...what happened when he finally was accepted to Case Western? Answer: He chose the easiest possible major. Philosophy. He then spent as much time in the computer labs working on and finishing other students computer projects. ( This was the early 70s when large stacks of cards were the norm.)

In his adult life he made a very successful career in computer programing, and ,,,,guess what? ,,,,he was nearly entirely self-taught in this field. ( So much for all that formal education!)

I did not marry this guy, because he bragged about how he deliberately set out to do as little as possible in college. I didn't want any future children of mind taught this.

So...what did my actual children do?

They were homeschooled. They entered college, by their own choice, at the ages of 13, 12, and 13. They took courses by their own volition. All finished their college generals and Calculus III by the age of 15.

The two younger were graduates of university with B.S. degrees in math at the age of 18. One of these recently finished a masters in math at the age of 20.

The oldest of the 3 is a highly accomplished athlete, and plans to make a career in coaching. He is studying business and accounting. Along with all of his training, worldwide travel, and a 2 year church mission in the Baltics ( returning home fluent in Russian), he will graduate from college at the age of his contemporaries.

All children play an instrument, are accomplished ballroom dancers, sing in their church and school choirs, have many good and wholesome friends, and are volunteers for their church.

This is the difference between hot-house raising of high IQ children, such as my old dating companion, and the more natural environment of the home that my children enjoyed.

In my opinion, homeschooling is the most natural and healthy environment to raise children to a educationally and emotionally secure adulthood. Yes, some children will need institutionalization. This is a shame. We need orphanages too, but no one is suggesting that it is the best way to raise a child.