I was just asking my son about this because an adult had said something to me about how smart he was, and since she hadn't known him for more than a few minutes in a non-academic situation, I figured he was probably bragging. I asked how she knew he was smart, and he looked at me like I had three heads.
"I dunno. I guess she could just tell."
"Did you tell her that you're smart?"
[DS6 clucks tongue disapprovingly] "No,
Mom. I wouldn't brag like that." [eye roll]
Despite the bit of attitude there, I did find it amusing that this is his take on the "I'm so smart" issue. Apparently those talks we had early this year--when he did brag about how smart he was--have paid off! LOL!
(I also think home schooling has helped, BTW. But that's less funny than the other reason things have improved.)