The recording schools CAN be very informative, the biggest problem with 'em is how they hype about grads having a better shot getting a job at a recording studion when they're done... I recently read an article in Mix where they've polled a number of LA studios to see what the consensus is on hiring recording schools grads over DIYers.
Overall - studios seem to prefer the green candidates and train them in-house (after the requisite go'fer period) rather than undo some of the (possibly poor) practices they experienced dealing with recording schools grads....
Additionally, I've heard horror stories about the value of the techniques some of these schools provide...
Interesting topic...
Bruce Valeriani
Blue Bear Sound