And they absolutely should be this. Just as kids with special educational needs deserve the extra efforts made for them, kids at the other end of that spectrum need an environment which will help them to really achieve their potential - regardless of their background.
But, when more affluent parents can and will pay through the nose to ensure their kid passes the test, it all falls apart as a concept, and does effectively become education segregation.
Hence my two minds. There's nothing wrong with Academically Elite schooling. There's a strong need for it. But it's the application and acceptance process which has been corrupted. Until that's sorted out, what's the point?