While the classes and instructors have faults, they really are a good thing.
Honestly, I've only shot at a range in my high school (indoor at that), and during my hunter safety course at 14 or so.
Can you imagine a LOADED .22 Winchester range gun in a high school today?!?! Certainly wouldn't happen on the watch of our Governor Lord Vader here in NYS!!
Where I come from, hunter and gun safety was taught/learned from your father, grandfather, or whoever else had that role. The "range" was out behind the house somewhere safe.
I was from a small town that was part of a larger district. Went to school with farm boys just like me until 6th grade. After that, went to the "big school."
As a high school kid, I did some small game hunting with a few buds from the bigger town. One kid passed his shotgun to another over a fence, loaded. Other kid takes it by the trigger, and BANG, she goes off!!!
Thankfully, no one hurt, but last time I hunted with that group!!
There was one guy I got into varmint (woodchuck) hunting. In this case, I was the instructor/teacher, but it worked.
He adored my Model 700 Varmint Special in .22-250. He bought a 700 BDL in 6mm, and we shot a lot of 'em. He respected the gun and it's ability. We both still have those guns, MANY years later!