I hate school

I hate school! Iv'e never liked it, and the whole structured learning and 'grades' just is not my style. Not saying education is bad, but I really prefer free learning where you can choose the things that interest you and study them at your own pace. I feel like the point of schools is to keep an eye on us and control what we learn about.
I'm actually pretty smart, but since I can remember I've been at the bottom of my class, just barely scraping through each year. The letters 'D' and 'F' made me feel stupid for the longest time-it wasnt until recently that I realized my own intelligence. I feel like school hid it from me.
Anyone remember the first years- kindergarten and such? I remember that I was so eager to learn, and actually excited to go to school. But I was quickly introduced to grades, homework, and standards we were required to meet. By 2nd grade school had become a punishment to me, and I stopped trying. Instead of looking forward to learning, I counted the minutes until the bell rang and I could go home and do something non-educational, like tv and nintendo. The enthusiasm to learn was crushed out of me when somebody consistently ordered me to do it, according to their ideals.
Only recently have I regained some of my old enthusiasm- I have been making a push to take interesting and challenging classes, and actually do well in them. Even the subjects I dislike, I have been seeking extra help. Ive been giving up many free periods to make up assignments and gym classes. Im determined to pass high school and move on to something that I can finally choose for myself.