I think you are right about the mega-schools issue. They should cap the enrollment at about 400 and let the various high schools compete for students.
The should have college prep high schools and vo-tech schools that turn out kids that actually have some real welding, carpentry, plumbing, wiring or mechanical skills and are qualified to do something with their lives besides work in fast food.
It's sad to see these 18 yr old kids with a diploma and absolutely no useful skills and no future.
In the 70's the schools did operate in somewhat a college prep or Voc Tech mode. Kids who obvious were smart and not college material were not put through the same intensity level of classes as preps. It worked just fine until the feds and state started their testing nonsense. I went to a MEGA high school for 3 years. I nearly flunked. The Guidance Counselors pushed college prep. I transfered to a closer rural high school took a Voc Tech class and senior English. I was on the B honor roll. Actually my last 6 months I went on CO-OP {a great program now underused} and entered the work force 40 hours a week instead of attending school.
By the time a kid completes the 8th grade you know with all certainty whether they are college bound or Voc Tech. Nothing is wrong with either one. But until our educators realize this and act on it the mess will continue I'm afraid. A Voc Tech student literally waste four productive years in todays schools. All they need is about 2 hours basics at that point and the rest of the time should be devoted to vocational courses.