That's really nice
Yes, it was. It helped that it was the group who wanted English studies were among the top boys of the class, and the Yeshiva wanted that group to stay in the Yeshiva.
Humblebrag
Not recently but if it's anything like it was in my days, there was a lack of seriousness. Mainly due to kids who didn't give a hoot. I'm agreeing with you that an extracurricular GED program would be better, especially in that regard - because only kids whose parents valued it would attend.