I started blazing at 13 and while I got through school fine, graduated and got accepted to my first choice university, I know a lot of people who didn't who might have gotten the extra time and focus to get through school if they weren't spending all their time bunnin under the bleachers.

I'd say 18 is an appropiate age...16 would be pushing it, and anything under that you're dealing with kids just getting used to not being 'children' anymore