I also went to a large public high school. I was much too angsty and emotional to get a whole lot out of it education-wise, but the opportunity was there; I did take some AP classes and had some good experiences. I loved art, dance, literature, and biology. I was never much of a troublemaker but got sent home for wearing too-short skirts. (They were not supposed to be more than 3" above your knee. my legs are longer than usual so wearing the same damn thing other people were wearing got me into trouble. I felt horribly oppressed at the time.) Friends from high school who were very... sort of cliquey and follower-y... have proceeded to ruin their lives and die young; there was a fair amount of substance abuse and some people just never grew out of it.
There was overall a terrible lonelienss and lack of caring from peers and adults. I now feel a smaller, more intimate environment where people can care about each other is overall healthier.
I was never happier than when I could put education aside and get on with becoming independent.
Wish I had learned more math and financial management skills!

I had to learn those the hard way.