At least in our state (Massachusetts), it seems like many families send their kids to at least a day school beginning in 7th grade if BS is on the possible horizon. This was not the case for us and D20 was at public school through 8th grade and is a four year senior now. She was likely at the top of her grade in suburbia and scored about a 90th percentile on the SSAT with some home prep. The test is a different beast than most state testing and definitely unlike the MCAS here.