sounds like you got "distracted" learning, and had to refocus on "playing the game" -- what a shame that we have to do that to get through a so called education.
we've lived in northern virginia and montgomery county maryland and homeschooled our kids (now 3,6,8) from day 1 and continue to do so. go for it! it's not nearly as hard as people make it out to be and you can go with your children's interests and teach them how to love learning. really, can you possibly fail worse than the public system?