Interesting idea, but I find the concept of taking financial advice from the average American 9th Grader, terrifying.
Ans Switzerland has some of the toughest immigration laws in the world...
I live and work in Switzerland, and have since 1997. I have put / am putting three children through this system.
1. The Primary School lasts 5, or sometimes 6 years.
2. At the end of the primary stage, a committee decides whether your child will go to:
a. Bezirkschule - this is the track that leads to college (must be an “A” student)
b. Sekundarschule - this track leads to most of the white collar types of jobs (must be a “B” student)
c. Realschule - leads to menial labor positions, at best. (everyone else)
3. Grades are NOT the only factor (social competence plays a big role) AND each Teacher can decide on the grading scheme to use. IOW, In Mrs. Smith's class, I might take a test and get an A, in Mrs Jone's class, she might decide that my work was only worth a B - there is little to no objectivity and no across the board standards.
4. At the beginning of the 9th Grade, the kids need to decide exactly what they want to do and look for a company that is willing to “hire” them. If you do not find an employer willing to hire you for what you want to do - YOU LOOSE! Your education is effectively over after 9 years. This happens to roughly 10% of all students / year. (I have seen the statistics in German). When I say exactly, I mean exactly. You can't learn “construction” and specialize while you learn. You must choose “Brick Layer”, “Plasterer”, etc.
5. “Bloat” has become so common that it is now a requirement to have at least “Sekundar” to become a Gardener (plant names are Latin!), or a cashier at the Grocer.
6. It is possible to “move up” - but the requirements are extremely hard to reach.
7. If you land in the 10% (and this is across all sectors, not just “Realschule”) - your chances of getting a position in the following year are even worse.
8. Once you've learned a trade, your rather stuck - in order to obtain the certification you need, you would need to go back to another 3-4 years of school (i.e. repeat High School) and apprentice at a new employer.
IOW, if you are a good student in grade school, you have a good chance of going far. If you don't really take off scholastically until middle school / are more the individualist ~ your chances disappear rapidly.