Kathryn
It was on fire when I laid down on it.
so is there anything to stop parents simply moving near to their school of choice?
let's say one of the better free public schools.
can't all the wealthy parents just move near to it and relegate those of lower means to the not so good schools - is that democracy at work?
I sold real estate for years. Most people with children made their decision about which house to buy mostly on the quality of the school district.
People moving in and out of a school district or area don't make that big a difference in the quality of the school. That depends more on the caliber of the staff and administration, and of course the level of support that the parents give the school and the students.