I think the top 3 effects schools/programs are Dick Smith, Stan Winston, and Tom Savini. Some colleges have programs, but you're probably going to have to wait a few years before considering any of them. It's great that you're thinking about it now though!
Sadly, practical effects are a fading art because of the crazy-fast progress in technology. It's cheaper and faster to make a big dinosaur, or a destroyed city, on a computer than it is to build it for real. With that said, there are still a lot of us who prefer the real stuff (and always will) because it's more convincing when it's done right. So it's not necessarily a bad thing that less people are doing practical effects, in favor of digital animation. But if I were your age again, I'd start learning the best of both worlds, because that's where the industry has been going for a while- a mixture of practical and animation.
It's just my opinion, but I think you should start with sculpture. Refine your skills, and spend time making different things, even if you want to blow them up. Use your imagination, but also look at pictures of things that exist in the real world. Anatomy is key, whether you're making a person, animal, creature, prop, etc. Play with different lighting. Cast shadows from all directions to see where changes are needed. Focus on the overall shape, smooth it out, and then try different texturing methods. The more techniques you try, the more you'll learn what works best for you. Eventually, you can research molding, casting, painting, etc. But first you want to have something worth making.
The internet can be your best teacher, if you know what you're looking for. Sites like this, and youtube are great for info. It's limitless. Consider taking all the art classes you can in school. You seem like a sharp kid. If you're passionate about it and practice enough, you can work at ILM or anywhere else. Just start making some stuff, try to have fun, and don't get discouraged. Trial and error is the only way to get better.
-Ryan