When we talk about "good schools," be it middle school, high school, or college, we're not referring to the education.
In other words, we're not talking about the teaching.
"Good teaching" would mean that the teachers are so clear and engaging, they make it easy for students to absorb and love the material.
Sadly, that's not something that comes to most people's minds when we talk about "good schools."
Really, we're talking about rigorous schools.
Schools that demand a lot of the students inside and outside the classroom. Some private schools even require a daily after-school sport alongside a homework load of 2-3 hours a night.
Some say this trial by fire makes students stronger, thus preparing them for college and life beyond. Others say it trains students to become mindless order-followers, no matter how unreasonable or unrealistic those orders may be.
Either way, demanding schools (and schools in general, for that matter) miss the most important thing. What should be a foundation of everything.
These schools aren't teaching students how to handle this intense workload.
Schools are results-based. If a student gets straight A's, that's all that matters. What doesn't matter is if the student slept five hours a night and developed an anxiety disorder to do it.
Time management. Stress management. Mindfulness. Health. Fitness. Self-awareness. When to say no. When to question authority, especially when the demands are outrageous.
These are the things the next generation must be equipped with to survive and thrive. These are what separates an exciting, vibrant life from a stressful, mundane one.
Schools aren't going to get around to this anytime soon. That's why it's up to us to provide the opportunities for kids to explore these areas.
Incidentally, piano lessons are a great place to start.