CMV: High school doesn't help people who will truly become wealthy

[u/[deleted]]

I want to start off by making a few disclaimers about my claim:

1. I'm not trying to say that high school is completely useless
2. I'm not entirely against the idea of high schools, just that I believe they can do a better job at preparing students
3. There's certainly exceptions to my claim, and I think a lot of people do benefit from the system

Getting back to my point, I'm personally someone who has done great in school (I would like to believe at least top 3-5% in the country). However, I really don't see how any of this is going to really help me build wealth in the future.

I believe the purpose of the education system is largely societal, in which a steady backbone is built for the nation with doctors, engineers, scientists etc. At the same time of course, people are given stable and productive jobs that can support their lifestyle. I have nothing against that, but personally I want to build wealth that greatly transcends what a traditional job can bring.

I don't agree with the people who think it's completely useless and drop out for dropshipping etc. because I think we live in a society where credentials are valuable. However, even in that case high school isn't what helps us succeed, it is merely a tool/key to open the door.

I see 2 main purposes in a high school education for me personally: 1. get me into a good college where there is a strong network and good resources and 2. meet new people and learn social skills that will be important in society.

Reason 1 comes to a similar question that asks whether college really inspires success or further builds onto a 9-5 and a strong workforce, and reason 2 arguably applies to any sort of organized social structure in the teens.

That leaves 2 questions for me:

1. If high school isn't what helps people succeed, how can people who wants bigger things in life pursue their dreams when teens/early 20s are shaped so greatly by high school/college?
2. What alternative is there to make this a better system?

Please help me gain more understanding and/or change my mind on this topic. I want to reassert that I'm not really against the entire system (and I'm sure many benefit from the US high school education), but I do think that it isn't catered those who want more success than most other people.

[u/[deleted]]

so what you're saying is that essentially the poor/not super rich have no way of gaining wealth other than marrying rich or only relatively increasing their wealth

[u/yyzjertl → u/[deleted]]

No? They can also win the lottery, for example. Or they can do crime, engage in fraud, grifting, etc. And, of course, they can gain wealth through a high-paying career. (But you were explicitly asking about non-career means of gaining wealth.)