[jlongr]

I think that at least two of your four points are primarily concerned with gifted and talented students (autodidacts, ambitious kids).

I would like to point out that calling the US public school system broken because it doesn't sufficiently serve exceptional students seems to ignore the plight of many kids who face problems including but not limited to: bullying, learning disabilities, domestic instability, or food insecurity.

Just my 2 cents. Sorry for not really answering your question.