I appreciate your story tremendously because, while details may
  differ, our experiences with school + the Internet are very
  nearly mirrors. There's no place for a self-learner in schools.
  That's where the internet is so fantastic. I foresee a day where
  those that love to learn will get minimal school guidance from a
  young age and be allowed a large amount of self-direction in
  their choices. Some necessary bits can be inserted when
  necessary but I see no reason that the bulk of learning can be
  self-driven for those that are self-driven learners.