<p>I took an approach which I know many here will disagree with, but this is what I did. </p>
<p>In 8th grade, each kid had to pick an EC for high school The EC chosen was entirely up to the kid, but kid could not quit it. HAD to do it for four years, no matter what. Kid could also do any other EC of interest and could add or drop those, but the ONE “core” EC had to be done for four years. ( I hear the protests now.) </p>
<p>Choosing that EC made each kid really investigate available ECs and try to find one (s)he thought (s)he could do for four years without losing interest. For us, it worked.</p>