Life lessons
"a kid should be rewarded for doing well in school"
They already are in terms of a high GPA, great grades, a very high chance of getting into college, probably respect from his/her peers, etc. Its not like kids dont get any benefits from doing well in school, they benefit greatly from it in a multitude of ways. Why pay them a reward for doing well in school when they ALREADY are getting rewards for doing well in school?