a little bit less of teaching and a bit more of service

This just in... How about high schools dedicating a little bit less of time to "teaching", and dedicating more time to giving their youth time to serve thier community? In service we find new strengths, sharpen new skills, learn to do "real things" for the "real world"...

How about making that part of the requirements to finish high school? Requiring several dozen hours per semester.

The youth can create their own projects or participate in projects offered by other institutions around the school/community.