To your comment about even the best <=5 schools being glorified daycares, you might consider Montessori, if your kids are still in that 3-6 age band. There are

To your comment about even the best <=5 schools being glorified daycares, you might consider Montessori, if your kids are still in that 3-6 age band. There are many faux-Montessoris which are daycare with wooden toys, and use the name to collect that premium, but the real ones are very different, and do a good job of teaching independence in learning. You can look for the accredited ones on AMS’ site (you still have to evaluate the teacher, but it should weed out the worst offenders).