You make fun of the educational structure, but it's base structure can clearly succeed if given the right support from the family and the correct budget. Japan has done exceedingly well (though a little over stressed - there can be balance) with a very similar base model.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Japan

I understand that bashing all things American has become en vogue, but some things have just become corrupted due to lack of proper maintenance, really. Much like our health care system which has become over saturated with special interest and privatisation instead of a patient focus.

We've forgotten how to keep our eye on the prize, as it were, and lost focus on what the goal actually is.