Yea, I agree the education system is pretty far down a broken road.
I heard a theory that I think has a lot of merit. Our current curriculum structure was developed in the wake of the industrial revolution. It was designed to turn the masses into factory workers to power the engine of America. If you need millions of people who will work on an assembly line, they need to be indoctrinated to follow rules, play their part, believe in the system, not ask too many questions, etc.
I think this lines up with your mention of the Prussians.
I don't know if the powers at be planned this or not. I do know our school system definitely wasn't designed to nurture creative, free-thinkers.