My Wife left high school after sophomore year, she didn't like the bullying etc. and got into "middle college" a program with college level classes at the local

My Wife left high school after sophomore year, she didn't like the bullying etc. and got into "middle college" a program with college level classes at the local community college taught by professors. She got into NYU and a few others once she graduated so there is a path outside of high school for some. I do feel like there is a valuable lesson to be learned from high school besides education and that is socialization. Going straight to college after middle school seems unrealistic for 99% of folks anyway so what will be filled with that 4 years before college starts?