I don't know how many schools you have been in, but my jobs have taken me from preschool observations, grade schools (where I was a visiting teacher), middle schools  and high schools. I've been in the Springfield district, Harrisburg, Elmira, Veneta and 4j.  I don't doubt your experience. Here is mine:
All the schools I observed had good programs for k-5. Kids engaged, teachers active, parents involved. But something happens at middle school. I've seen succesful 5th graders flunk their entire first year of middle school. They go from one class and one teacher to 6 classes/4 teachers. They are lost for sure. 
I also know that when the parents are involved, the chance of the kids being successful doubles. 
I do believe a 25% drop out rate is incredible. In the U.S., one out of four do not graduate. But I also know we have addicted/violent/multiple marriage families. I had middle school kids tell me how their dad was in jail, their mom lost custody and now grandma was their parent.