Probably they are out to improve the kid's chances. From the time somebody in one of these families hits pre-K, there is a whole list of boxes to check and keep

Probably they are out to improve the kid's chances. From the time somebody in one of these families hits pre-K, there is a whole list of boxes to check and keep checking: sports, music, whatever. Has everyone admitted to a good school checked every box? No, of course not. But it can't hurt, and it also provides some structured time when the kid probably can't be getting up to mischief.