Great question. Bullies definitely still exist, but the culture and tolerance of each school is very different. Some schools have very explicit policies regarding bullying, and they do an excellent job of intervening quickly and handling the situation with the seriousness it requires. Other schools are not as adept at managing bullying, and we get A LOT of questions on this forum from parents struggling with these types of schools.
Do you know any parents of students currently attending the school? You can ask them for their insight and experiences regarding the school. This will help you prepare. If your kids should encounter any kind of bullying, I strongly encourage you to talk with them about different positive steps they can take to stop the bullying and/or be prepared to advocate for your child on their behalf. For more on bullying, take a look at the following section of the site:
http://www.education.com/topic/school-bullying-teasing/
In other areas, again, each school varies. Some schools are more academically oriented. Others are more sports-focused. Some have happy and motivated teachers. Others have difficulty maintaining a consistent faculty. There are so many variables.
I understand that you are concerned and worried about what your children can expect from school after spending some time in home school. Do your best to be optimistic and positive about the school and the school experience (being realistic, of course) because your children will definitely pick up on your attitude, and it could affect how they perceive and experience the school.
Best wishes,
L. Compian, Ph.D.
Child Psychologist
Education.com