I think a layperson's outlook on these topics in high school could be very interesting though. Use this outlook to help motivate learning calculus and linear algebra. With a mix of engineering survey and math survey there are plenty of kids out there that would find parts of the course that stimulate their natural interest. Then the "calculus has many practical applications" thing would feel way less contrived. I mean of course I know now that it is true, but in high school I didn't feel it because I didn't have enough broader context.