As someone that got bullied through middle and high school i relate strongly) but unrelenting offence don't work when your bully have influential parents, in my case that was it, and i got labelled as near fricking war criminal, even though i was bullied middle schooler, but you're absolutely right about common cases)

Sent two to ER, didn't help. Damn kids have no self-preservation instinct, especially bullies for whom playing with fire is their entire thing.

In my opinion, the school is just a glorified daycare and it's terrible at it. Kids are inherently dumb and because they are dumb they are cruel. And, worst thing of all, is that they take example from others so putting them up together is the worst idea possible. Kids should be surrounded by adults, not other kids. I will do my best to prevent mine from going to school, or, at the very least, make sure they attend a smaller one with reduced classes. Less kids = less problems.