The problem with the schools is that they set up an elite value system. Only like the top one or two at high school are going to get any advantage, when they go on to some prestigious and competitive institution. If you are number three it's about as good as being in the fiftieth percentile, you'll end up at a job that the plumber and truck driver make more money, even the swim coaches will make more money. There are definitely better things for kids to be doing than grinding away at school, so they can be middle class. Team sports are awesome for all kinds of life lessons. I had perfect attendance in high school, did anyone ever ask me about that at a job interview? No, never.

Though, from what I have read about swimming frequent high level meets that involve tapering are suspect and are likely to interrupt training significantly.