I went to pretty good schools in Texas
elementary - middle school : mostly just busy work. math and science classes - lots of word problems and worksheets. Lots of "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell" and other stupid ways of memorizing information (opposed to actually learning it in depth). I don't remember writing too many papers/essays during those years, but lots of pointless projects. overall, those early years of my education were pretty carefree and easy. I wasn't a good student in most classes, I was totally a slacker.
highschool : I took many AP and advanced/honors classes, mainly due to peer pressure and my parents wanting me to excel...so I had a lot of tough tests and papers to write in highschool. This period of my life was surrounded by MLA format and other ridgid preparations for college life (which is silly, i'd rather be taught how to files taxes and become a balanced adult). Most classes required you to memorize facts and then regurgitate them - it was awful. I think high school was even more stressful than college, because all the while, I was preparing for the SAT's.
college/university: overall, college was a waste of time, and you could pretty much BS most of your classes, barely studying and putting in minimal effort to writing 10+ page double spaced papers. Only classes that gave homework were math, accounting, stats, etc. but most of it was optional aside from the online quizzes. . I pretty much skated by, surfed my way through college and still ended up with a 3.4+ GPA in a B.S in the school of technology and a degree from the school of business in supply chain.