Even if the kid gets a good grade in a ok school,that will not set him/her up for college.If he/she gets a good grade in a great/hard school they will do well in collage.Big fish little pond-big fish in big pond,so to speak.
We here in our home set the standards higher than most ever will.Wife and I will give all to make sure our kids learn/work and push. We drive our son 40 mile to school to do that.Yes there are closer schools but not better.
Charles