What about the case of homeschooling? I'm not familiar enough with the economics of it to say it is cheaper than private schooling. I do, however, know quite a few families that have taken this route and I wouldn't classify them as upper middle class or elite.

Having worked with numerous schools over the last decade I feel there are some serious problems that we as a society need to fix. I do feel that there are other options that are available to parents though.