Sadly, I'm in agreement with the GP. I started programming freshmen year of high school on my own because my school did not offer courses. I also wrote my own fiction book and self-published it sophomore year. Whenever I showed my homemade video games and physical book to my teachers I received a "good job" and that's it. I did not receive any help, special instruction, or extra credit. Most of the courses, outside of literature and math, were not applicable whatsoever. My takeaway is that our compulsory education system is not optimized for the self-directed student.
There is a lot of room for debate on this... self direction is fine, as long as it's not coupled with arrogance. If you think you know everything the world tends to teach you lessons you'd rather not have.
