Since when did short hair make you get a better education.
When I was at public school I always had long hair, earrings, a ponytail and a full beard by my 17th birthday (and not bumfluff either), not one teacher even gave a stuff, they were more concerned with my education
I went on and did a BSc in Geology at the ANU and my hair was a crewcut compared to some of my lecturers. I have always remained a hippy at heart but with a love of science and yes the two can coexist
Private schools seem to think they have some sort of responsibility to determine how society should think and act and charge you a fortune to prove their point rather than get on with the job in giving you a decent education.
I think I turned out pretty well, I have worked as a geologist for many years and now work as an Admin & IT manager at the Canberra Hospital and still with a ponytail, earrings and a beard allthough they are a bit greyer than it used to be. I'm also a member of the NSW RFS and no one seems to care one iota what I look like when we are fighting a fire, just how well we do our job.
By the sounds of it you probably won't win against the old farts but if you go to Uni they wont give a stuff either way.
Best of luck Caleb and stick with the metal Dude.