it... really doesn't suck.
you're encouraged to exceed and get through it. if you take harder classes and extracurricular activities, the american education system is amazing. i'm in the 48th worst state for education and i'm literally going to graduate with my bachelors in aeronautical engineering and my A&P certification under my belt. i'm going to make $23 an hour right out of high school.
oh, and i'm going to get a full ride scholarship by the company who i'm hired by.
if you go the "easy way" through school, you will have a harder time. and if you slack through your classes, you will fail. college debts will be crippling. nobody wants to pay for a slacker.
seriously, i'm learning so much each day. before today, i couldn't tell the difference between a shear resistant and a tension resistant rivet. now, i can literally order any kind of custom rivet online by US Military standards.
seriously, if you get out there and follow your passion, you will have SUCH a fun time during school. i actually really love school and i cannot wait to go on to college.
and don't say i'm "lucky" or "priviledged" -- i worked hard, my brother worked hard, my friends worked hard... and we're going places. i'm going to be working on airplanes all over the world, and i couldn't have done it WITHOUT the American Education system. i literally owe my teachers and the government my future.
basically, don't try, do. take a shot at extracurricular activities. i'm sure you can find anything you want, whether it's computer programming, music, sports--you name it, there are classes out there for it.
follow what you love and it will make a world of a difference. trust me, i'm doing it right now.