No better education in the world than growing up in nyc..,.if you survive
As a NYC resident, this is the first time I'm hearing of this

My high school only had like an 50 percent graduation rate
My middle school was closed outright due to poor performance
NYC public schools in general are average at best. NYC doesn't even have the best education in the Tri State Area

Jersey is better.
As for the survive part, this ain't the 80s and 90s anymore. My public school career was from late 90s to 2010 and it was smooth sailing for the most part. Years prior to that random kids would get stabbed, jumped, robbed etc. That might happen today if you are maybe gang affiliated or dabbling in street shyt.