Education, Killing My Child's Love for Learning

I know that I'm not educated beyond high school, so I probably won't get taken too seriously, but I have to vent. Like many parents out there I'm frustrated with the school system. I struggle watching my kids do school work and homework that doesn't challenge them. I truly appreciate that their teachers attempt to do a little extra here and there for them, but I'm dying for a better solution. Sure there are charter schools, we could do that, but I'm not ready for a 30 minute commute twice a day for an education that I can't be quite positive is better than the one my kids are already getting.
My kids are smart, they are both above grade level in reading and math (WOO HOO). We have worked really hard to get them where they are, but at parent teacher conferences I was sad to hear that all of our hard work may have really just made a negative impact on things. They won't let Hailey go beyond anything at a 3rd grade level. She is being forced to stay inside the box that the school has deemed appropriate for her age. She is not encouraged to go beyond and is often done with her work at school and then just has to read...Why not challenge her? I'm sure there is a way to do it, be it some extra math practice, ask her to make a book report, or something, just challenge my child before she starts to hate learning.
I get that the teachers can only do so much and that the curriculum is preplanned etc, etc. but a bored child won't want to come to school, they won't want to continue learning if all they are doing is sitting there while everyone else works. I know that everyone has their own problems with the school system and this is mine. I find that we cater to those who are on par for grade level and those who struggle, but what about the ones who excel? Why are we dimming their light, why aren't we letting them shine?
I want to fix things, but honestly I wouldn't know where to start. And well my husband, who is amazing and wonderful and who always has ideas about how to improve things at work and at home, tells me that this can't be fixed and that every time someone tries to fix it, it ends up worse. So I'm stuck and lost, where do I start?
For now I'm starting at home, the school won't test Hailey's reading past a level O, which is the 3rd grade level, so I honestly don't know where she's at, but we are starting to work there and will advance as she improves. As for math I'll keep challenging her here, so they can hold her back there.
I would truly welcome and appreciate any advice, comments, etc. because I'm drowning in disbelief that we can't do better for our children, that we can't provide our kids a place to learn, and love learning at the level their at.
If you read this rant, thank you, I appreciate your time.

Does Anyone Still Look at This?

My name is Liz and I'm a horrible blogger. There I admitted it, now I can go from here and try to be better.  I really have meant to do this at least once a week, not so much for me, but for my kids. I want them to have something to look back on and see how awesome their childhood was or most days how lame (we spend lots of days in our pjs just making messes, thus it being lame). Now onto the good stuff...me rambling about my four smart and beautiful children.
You heard me right, FOUR children. Last time I blogged I only had 3. We welcomed Henry Oscar Jensen to our family on August 7th. What a fun addition he as been. Henry or Hank the tank as he is often referred to since he is our chubbiest baby and by chubbiest I mean he's in the 30th percentile for weight as compared to our other children who were in like the 10th. So he's not big by any means, but he's big for us and we love every ounce of him. Scarlett may love him more than the rest of us. She kisses him constantly and if he makes even the slightest whimper she's at his side patting (hitting) him to make it better. She doesn't realize that she's hitting though, she thinks she's helping and it's sweet.

Hailey is in 2nd grade and turns 8 next month. I can't believe it. I'm in denial and shock that my little girl is getting so big. She had decided to get baptized, WOOHOO! She loves church and her spirit and love for the gospel inspires me. This year she started on a competition dance team and she is LOVING it!!! I am a little overwhelmed with the practices, costumes, shoes, hair styles, bags, makeup, etc I'm sure I will get the hang of it soon. I am just so excited she's found something she really enjoys to do.

Isaac is in Kindergarten and will be 6 in April. He is my little brain. He sucks up everything and loves learning about any and everything. He is on his winter health kick which means that he is drinking more to get the vitamin d he isn't getting from the sun and in the summer he was drinking more water to keep hydrated. He loves to know about his foods and what vitamins are in them and eating healthy. He has explained math problems to Hailey.

Scarlett will be 2 in April. She is such a fun kid. She is constantly entertaining us with her dancing and singing. She has recently become our most picky eater. She loves to play with and pick on Ike. They are becoming fast friends and I love it.

Henry will be 6 months old in a couple weeks and I can't believe it. It all goes by in the blink of an eye. He loves to stand, while being helped of course. He also loves to be talked to and held and just look at one another. He has the best cheeks!
Jason started a new job in September, he is now the Plant Manager for a steel company in Brigham City. It is his dream job and I couldn't be more excited for him. He has worked so hard for this and he is loving it.
Me, I'm just loving being at home. There are days that I want to work, but then I look at my kids and I see what I'd be missing and I don't want to miss anything.

That's it. I will add pictures shortly once I hook my phone to my computer, so check back in a day or two!