When I went to grade school, I think it really depended on the local school district. I was lucky enough to grow up in a nice area with well-funded schools, and I have relatively few complaints about the education I received. However, in doing school activities, I had the opportunity to see schools in poorer districts, and there was a distinct difference.

At the time, I didn't think too much about the difference, except that I didn't feel as safe in some schools.

But looking back... Now I know why parents always shop around for better school districts, because there are some places where it would have been far more difficult to get a decent education.

That's my knowledge from many decades ago. Maybe it's gotten worse since then.