GilpinGuy, good points. I am right there with you, but I have added a few when I talk to my boys.

11. Even when your teacher is wrong, you have to respect their position of authority.
12. You never have to agree with a teacher that is wrong.
13. Never give in to what you do not believe.
14. If you do all of that, and you need my help, please ask and I will offer your teacher my opinion.

My boys are in private school and while better than public, do not for a second think private school will solve all of the problems. Police were called to both my 7th graders and 9th graders schools in the past month to deal with criminal issues with students on campus. There have been other issues too, that I do not wish to describe, but which are troubling to say the least. Involvement is important. My wife and I have both been to the school literally to sit in class and observe. Most of our issues have been resolved, but not without effort.