I'm sure that you guys have heard the sports analogy, but I will persist.

If you have a child who has a rare gift for swimming, say, and has the potential to become an Olympic athlete, then you don't tell him (or her) that he can swim fast enough. You don't make him sit on the sidelines and watch while the other kids try to catch up. If you have a kid who can make baskets from the three-point line, you don't park them on the bench during the game so that other kids can improve their basket-making skills. And if you have a child who can paint or play the violin, then you don't make them sit quietly and watch while the other kids practice. Why should academics be any different?

It is because we value individual talents in all areas, except in academics. In academics, you are expected to be part of the herd.

Mom to DS12 and DD3