And that the author's younger children are not taking identical pathways suggests that the twins' homeschooling experience was significantly driven by them, and not imposed on them (with, perhaps, the exception of Spanish--although even then, they appear to have taken to it rather quickly).
It could be that the author learned some things with the older ones that he is now applying to the younger ones. I know I gave my younger son (by 6 years) much more latitude in our homeschool than I did the older one.
With regard to the issue of them not getting into top schools--it doesn't surprise me in the least. It seems to me that there are more than enough academically excellent applicants, which is why, after making an initial cut, it's all about extracurriculars and other desirable qualities.
