Lol we're definitely getting too into this
but yeah, the US doesn't give us nearly as many options as it should for people to push our limits. Some of us actually liked to learn, once upon a time, until we found out that school didn't like it when we learned. It's so bad, that I could've skipped to fourth grade after kindergarden (cause we could learn at our own pace, it was almost like a private school), and when I didn't skip at all I just got dumber and dumber. Idk, they should have different levels available without having to ask for something so drastic as skipping a few years, cause that just messes with social development at that age.
Well, last year I took AP chem, and it was a lot more 'practical' than AP bio. The biggest problem I have is that our teacher made us learn all that stuff, and only 1/5th of it was on the test. I'd assume tests reflect AP test material, so that means we wasted so much time and effort on useless crap. Gotta side with you though, it's good to have the extra detail that isn't covered in regular or honors classes, and the textbooks are a LOT better, personally. But, if we have the books, what am I doing in class? I feel AP isn't taught the same as college, just because we have all that classtime available (which is usually wasted, but ah well).
Americans as a whole... I don't think I can voice my full opinions on them without being locked away for treason, but it's just sad sometimes. I grew up in the midwest (sorta, chicago suburbs) and when I moved to NJ everyone made it seem like the midwest was for hicks and stuff, when the only real difference was diversity and less arrogant people. Speaking of which, NJ is horrible, don't ever set foot in it. Anyways, yeah and then how nobody really takes education seriously and expects to have all the things they want thrown at their feet, it doesn't work that way. So many people in our country (or at least where I'm at) need a reality check, it's a competitive world, and just because you live in the top country doesn't mean slacking will get you through. Did you know, the average IQ is 93 (from what I've heard at least, I'll still go with 100 to be nice)? That means that for each person like me, there's someone who's borderline ******** by definition. There are a lot of people that I know are like me. I definitely got off topic somewhere, but basically, there are stupid people that are placed at the same level as everyone else in America, which drags everyone else down because of having to wait up (and, as you said, the lack of specialized classes). And then they think they're good at stuff... idk, I doubt it's just America, we probably just see it more because we live here, but still...
My wall beats yours lol. Sorry, I need to learn how to be concise.
TL;DR - I agree