I think that's a good point, GTH. When DS7 wasn't challenged sufficiently, I saw him (then 5-6yo) bragging and ranking classmates from smartest and down at school with other kids in the class.
Some of that ranking stuff is just natural for the age, an outgrowth of the categorization that they do at that age, I think. So I suspect it might go beyond school culture, even. Though I think you're right that culture often supports and rewards it. It sure sounds like the teacher isn't doing anything to stop it...
But IMHO, more challenge tends to cut back on the "I'm the best" stuff. DS7 doesn't do a lot of ranking of the kids in his math class anymore, except as a way of saying to ME that he fits in well with the other kids, who are 2-5 years older than he is. If he misses one or two and considers himself in the top three in the class, I'm quite pleased with that fit and kind of glad to hear about how he rates himself! It's helpful, not bragging to other kids.
FWIW...
