The problem with competing against Chromebooks is that Chromebooks + GSuite and Google’s managed offerings for schools.
The counter however is that lots of schools are on 365, which doesn’t work so well on a Chromebook but works great on a mac.
Apple absolutely needs a management layer, both for school and for family. Apple family controls are sorely broken.
My kids' school uses iPads with GSuite. It seems like a common config.
With Creative Studio Apple could even displace GSuite at some point.
Chromebooks are much more secure for enterprise and education.
macOS is awful to manage on an enterprise and education level. This will always be Apple’s achilles heel in truly breaking into this market. Admins will push back.
Google has Security down to a science. ChromeOS has little to no malware. Google is constantly reporting malware and exploits to Apple so they can patch active vulns.