re: #62 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

German school system is rather different: nearly everybody goes on to an apprenticeship, academy or university, that is how the system is set up. Many people start their apprenticeships after the 10th grade with parallel vocational studies.

I had the opportunity when I was in Schwäbisch Gmünd to tour a school specifically set up for gifted students by the state. The German state paid for the whole thing. The students worked in parallel with the local university or employers whilst still in school. It was really quite remarkable.