I don’t agree with this “step backward” notion but it is quite common at our huge LPS. To me, it belies a misunderstanding about what a LAC offers. It also may come from having experienced little of the kind of personal engagement a LAC offers in their high school years and not recognizing the value of that. And from GCs that direct most kids to our state flagship and other not-far publics. And from an uber-competitive sports programs, especially football, where D1 is the goal. This is the water they swim in.
My kid went to a BS and only considered LACs because that format of engaged learning “ works for me”. All of our family - siblings, kids, - are NESCAC alums, so we got it.