Home schooling: A good alternative for regular schooling?

I've always gone to a school, but a good friend of mine was home schooled for the most part. He got his BA last year (that's how we met), and he's now getting his MA. He's one of the best students I know. He gets amazing grades. Clearly getting home schooled for elementary and high school was good for him. He benefited from it.

I guess that some parents feel as though they can teach they're children better than the teachers in the classrooms can. Or maybe they feel as though they're child may feel more comfortable learning in the comfort of their home.