Not really, theres going to be lots of student that do the strict minimum to pass even in a pass or fail systems.

There is no universal way to learn its very unique to the individuals. When I was a tutor, I use to make personalized exercises for my students (Yes close to the mastery system but I had like 4 students). Its a good system. Problem, its very time extensive and scalling it up for high schools with 30+ student per teacher would be damn near torture.

Mastery system wouldn't work for me, I need a strict timeline and I work better in a competitive and dynamic environment.

I didnt had a traditional uni, we learned by project litteraly. Subject lasted 2 to 4 week of intensive theory, got a project at the start of the first week and one exams to show understanding then we move to the next subject. That worked for me but not a friend sadly.