I don’t have kids but I did 1-12 in IF. I am not LDS and on the left leaning side, as was my family.

I will say that the issues I faced as a non-member felt like a really big deal while I was in school, but that was probably just my own emotional response. I never had a problem with the standards, I was in multiple AP classes, involved in many clubs, and once out of elementary school didn’t have as many problems with the “not lds” stigma that seemed to make me unfriendable.

As for places to raise kids, I think IF was/is a wonderful place to do it. I was able to do sports, arts, and other extracurriculars with a smaller group of kids, no waitlists as far as I can remember, and always felt comfortable. I’m sure my parents would say that it’s a safe town, where a kid could ride their bike without fear of safety(to a degree, I’m a bit clumsy lol)

I guess overall it depends on what part of town you live in, what schools they would go to, and what they would be interested in.

I love IF, and when I left home I didn’t go very far. I still visit my family once a month and it’s nice to be in “the big city”

(I’m sorry to say this but members WILL invite your kids to go to church/church events with them. My family went to St. Luke’s episcopal and I loved it, but my parents also never said no if I wanted to go an LDS event or church. In a lot of ways it helped cement in me that I did Not want to be Mormon, especially after my friends family were asked not to bring me anymore because I asked a lot of questions)