Your wife's parents might not have known. There was an article no too long ago describing how kids in the midwest are at a disadvantage because kids never learn

Your wife's parents might not have known. There was an article no too long ago describing how kids in the midwest are at a disadvantage because kids never learn to perceive elite schools as substantially better than most state schools. My opinion is that the real value of elite prep schools is that they teach (indoctrinate?) you elite values through the culture, your peers, actions of your peers etc. They tell you what to do, instill in you a belief that you are "worthy" and capable and give you the tools on how to do it.