Part of the trouble, Mr Settersten and Ms Ray point out, is that in the absence of reliable public schools, parents must play a big role in the academic careers of their children.

ECONOMIST: It��s tougher than it appears for the millennial generation

At one point Ms. Kingscott was erroneously told the technician was at her home.

WSJ: The Wait-Time Misery Index

With the frankness of an old pro, at one point Ms Bradford names different schools of royal-watching.

ECONOMIST: Why the queen has to be seen to be believed