We were able to buy our way out of class... sort of.  If we purchased a ticket to a basketball game, for example, and our teachers signed our ticket, we were excused from those classes to attend the game.  Once I skipped the actual game part ;-)  Of course, I got caught. (Thank you Mrs. Fox.)  It was the ONLY time I cut.  I went to Manny's house.  Good thing my mom didn't find THAT part out.  LOL