Education, or the theory of it.

I as most other kids my age go to a school, a small town school, which is pretty much your run of the mill learning environment. I have noticed a problem quite recently. Why is it that we base our education system solely on grades. Isn't it more important to educate our children on a wide variety of subjects and use in depth material? Isn't it more important for children to be able to think for themselves instead of regurgitating facts? Logically the answer to both of those to questions is yes but, it seems that we have become anything but logical people. We shouldn't be pressuring our children to get the highest gpa but rather to learn the most they can and to find their passion. Life is short so why bother being depressed and attuned to the corporate system whilst you could be living a happy life doing what makes you happiest? My answer? Well, I'm just a kid so give me a multiple choice question and then maybe I can cross off a few options and answer.