Alternatively, you can try to find a way "in the market".<p>School have 3 markets : social status, grades and actual knowledge acquisition (the lesser of the 3).<p>In my high school in the french suburbs (quite different from the US suburbia), there was definitely a bullying risk - while not as big as what US movies show, it was not zero.<p>I had a problem with ensuring my physical safety at times - especially since I was a bit socially awkward.<p>There were also a group of student sharing a dresscode, and their violent ways. They also had a problem with getting good grades.<p>We stroke a deal which was quite good for all the parties involved (except for the bullies) - basically switching seats assignments during tests, and passing good enough answer to get passing grades.<p>There's one day I can never forget, where I teased a bully and his girlfriend, and was escorted out of the class by gang members when he came back with many friends. They were just intelligent enough to figure it was a fight not worth starting - especially for their own sake.<p>True story- memories and experiences like this, money just can't buy. It's the best education there is about life and the market.