The charter we used to attend required a long application. Supposedly there was then a lottery among applicants who met the desired requirements. I suspect the students were actually handpicked.

They also did indeed find ways to kick out kids with LDs. I don't know how they do it, legally, but they have done it.

That said, the school also had some great teachers and did some great stuff. It was a mixed bag.

Anyway. Are there dumb, soul-crushing things happening at schools? Yes. Are there are also wonderful teachers doing great things? Also yes.