I think you're right. FF13 is naturally more high tech, but that's way ahead of where we are today again. FF7's tech was like half 1960s, half present day. FF8 was more like 90% present day, 5% future, 5% a few decades ago. Excluding Esthar, cause you know why.

And of course, excluding the melee weapons, but that's a given because it is a japanese RPG we're playing after all.

Although I tihnk the gardens are more like military academies than schools. I am sure there are regular schools in the world as well, even if we didn't get to see them.