Many parents send their kids to public school because the fear of making the wrong decision makes them powerless to resist the inertia of the status quo. They would rather choose traditional school than risk the burden of a decision made with knowledge. Even so, it s difficult to give up our illusion of control and to turn away from a familiar system. For the kids, on the other hand, trust and freedom create empowerment and self-determination. Back to the question.
Achievement tests are, at best, only estimations of knowledge and skills.
I know students who do very well on these tests who cannot have a coherent conversation about subjects that interest them. I also know students who fail these sorts of tests, yet are wiser and more full of common sense than many adults. AVS parents trust that their children will learn these things just as they learned to stand, walk, and master their native language. We did not use fear to teach Ethan to walk and talk. His own internal motivation drove him to learn these essential skills.