I think it is very important for the student to go on at least one solo cross country to a location they have never been before, instead of just repeating a flight previously done with the instructor.

I recently spoke with a new private pilot that learned to fly at ATP in Richmond, VA. He said all local flights were done to a nearby non-towered field, and all cross-countrys were to the same distant airport. I asked how he did his "long" x/c? You guessed it, he went to the local strip and then the distant field to get his 150 miles. He had only ever been to three airports. I don't think that is the best way to teach a student, although it is certainly a lot more comforting for the imstructor knowing the student has almost no chance of screwing up the x/c since he has already done it multiple times.