As one whose son has played for extended periods in club, high school and Academy, I'd only say that each has its strengths.
Club is a convenient, reasonably cost-effective way for many kids to compete at a very high level. (The point about geographic proximity has some validity).
High school soccer is inexpensive, convenient, a great "social" venue, and (in a minority of situations) competitive enough. From a purely competitive/developmental standpoint, many "elite" athletes effectively outgrow high school fairly quickly, and for them, there is a point of diminishing returns. From what I've seen, junior year.
The Academy, while not perfect, is getting better. More coaches are involved, the cost is decreasing, and the competitive level increasing. This past year, both age groups won their regions; a first. This is not to say it's perfect -- what is? -- but it's on a positive track.
***
An aside here: the comment about 1-percenters is a bit ridiculous, on two levels. If you look at this past season's U18 Academy side, many will play Division I soccer. A number of the U16s have already committed to that level.
Similarly, many CESA kids will play D-I as well, which is great.
A mythical single "all-star" team at the U18 age would doubtless include representatives of both, which would seem to imply that both are doing something right.
In general, the kids are a lot less hung up on this than the parents.
